For this task our aim was to create a short
film of around 30 seconds to demonstrate the skills we have learnt this far
into the course. We accomplished this by using our knowledge of various camera
shots and editing techniques to film, edit and produce a video which included
the 180° rule, shot reverse shot, match on action and
continuity editing. Other criteria set, for the storyline, was to have two
actors entering a room, sitting down and having a conversation. As a group we
developed upon this idea into two men entering a room, not in succession, and
one assassinates the other. In order to film steady shots for this video, we
used an adjustable tripod allowing us to use different types of shot whilst
maintaining still.
The first shot we chose to use is a medium
close-up of the “victim’s” feet as he walks down the corridor. This shot helps
to create initial suspension right at the beginning of the scene, as we cannot
see their face.
Here is the following mid-shot of the victim.
We chose to use a high-angle shot in order to emphasise this actor as the
victim and not the killer. By looking down on the character it portrays to the
audience that he has less power and is more vulnerable. To accentuate and establish
either characters persona even more, we reversed this for the killer and had
the camera looking up on him.
This close-up of the victim’s hand, later on in
the scene, builds and creates a tense atmosphere by implying that something may
happen when he enters the room. It is also the first part to one of the
techniques set in the criteria for this video; match on action. When the handle
turns and the door opens, we show a mid-shot of the victim entering, which
provides evidence for this technique.
I feel that the editing carried out by our
group was of overall a very good standard. We enforced all techniques presented
to us in the criteria such as the match-on-action, which was filmed and edited
successfully and also the shot reverse shot, when the assassin pulls his gun on
the victim. However this being said we did unfortunately break the 180° rule by crossing the line when filming the shot
reverse shot. I believe that the continuity editing was done well but not to
perfection as there could have been a few milliseconds in each shot perhaps
trimmed in either direction. Conversely though, we incorporated the use of
several fade transitions, both black and white, to build suspension and a sense
of action and, in addition, to conclude different cuts.
For the title sequence we chose to use a set of
standard iMovie text-based animations to conclude the video and credit each
individual. In my opinion I feel this could have much been improved by filming
a unique set of credits using different techniques. We chose to use the colour
red for half of the text to emphasise the blood that would be expected after
the shot finishes. Overall I believe the video was relatively successful but there
are mistakes to learn from when filming the successor.
