Evaluation Activity 7

Preliminary

When filming the preliminary, I got my first idea on what it was like to film and edit. I was introduced to the editing software when editing my prelim. This was very useful to me because it helped me figure out how to use the software and how to cut clips and edit sound files. My task was to show my understanding of the 180 degree rule, match on action and the shot/reverse shot. I managed to do the shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule without any problem. The match on action took me a few attempts. The match on action involved me walking through a door. The camera cut from me taking a step into the door and then cutting to me walking through it. I had to attempt it multiple times because I couldn’t get the right angle of me walking in from the inside. This didn’t prove to be too much of a problem as it only took a few tries.

I had about 3 minutes worth of footage overall and I condensed it down into about 45 seconds. This made me aware that for my opening I would need to film more than I will probably need.

Overall I was happy with my opening, I effectively showed the three shots and also had a variety of camera shots. The only thing I would do differently again if I had the chance was to change the audio because the audio is not loud enough on my prelim and is also not very clear. Other than that I was very happy with the preliminary because it helped me to understand the editing software I would be using for my opening.

Opening

When I did my opening, I spent a lot of time looking for the most suitable location to film at. I spent a lot of time researching location and props because they were essential parts to my film. I was happy with the props I used because I got the inspiration for some of them from online examples of sinister clips. Editing and framing however did cause a lot of problems when filming. The light levels because an ongoing problem when I was trying to film. Some days were darker than others which meant that I had to miss some days of filming. This threw my schedule behind which means I had to edit my filming schedule which was not productive for me in terms of other work I had to carry out.

I am very pleased with the production logos and their sound effects because I managed to loop the clock noise so it sounds natural and also to fit with the footage. I am also happy with the talking scenes because I edited the voice volume and background volume so that the voice was clear to hear but at the same time could hear the ‘wind’ sound effect. When filming, I disliked some of the editing between the sinister clips because I wanted some of the sinister clips to flash quickly. I couldn’t do this however because my editing software did not have that feature.

If I had the chance to do this project again, I would make sure I changed the storyline to one that uses the daytime because the light levels became an on going problem that changed my filming schedule and I would also change the editing software I used because it was difficult to edit the sound clips so the loops sounded natural and also because my editing software did not have the ability to flash.

Through this whole process, I developed my skills as I director and producer because I not only learned how to produce a film, but learn about all the other processes that are involved such as risk assessments and marketing. I enjoyed learning the process that directors have to go though when planning and it also helped me analyse certain shots which is a vital skill in media when you need to analyse clips.

Some of the skills I learnt are transferable because framing and analysing shots are a vital part of media studies as interpreting clips is important when filming.