Filming
our media production proved to be a difficult task, however as a group we
worked hard to improve our skills on cinematography, editing and composition to
produce a worthwhile video. My erudition of the program iMovie has greatly increased
allowing me to fluently edit video using different techniques that I have
picked up. When carrying out this editing I additionally ascertained the
knowledge to realise that the use of sound in a film carries a key role in
bringing the video and production together. Furthermore I also now know a great
volume of shot types and how to compose them so that they can be used relatively
to the script.
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| Test Shot 1 |
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| Test Shot 2 |
Using
our media preliminary task as an example we knew that we must improve on
certain elements in this video. The 180° rule is good
illustration of this as in our prelim we had broken this rule. We knew that avoiding this mistake would be
difficult to do especially because the scene was set in such a confined area. To
make the task less problematic we ensured that our planning for these shots
were of a high standard, this included a thorough shot list and also test
shots. This aided the group in maintaining the shot variety and composition,
which was beneficial as we were conscious about showing all aspects of the
fight scene from different viewpoints.
Continuing
on from this a technique we were keen to work on was a shot-reverse-shot. In
our preliminary video we were forced to cut between shots in the final section
where the two men draw guns on one another. This is because the amount of
footage we had lacked tremendously. Therefore in the current production we were
able to showcase this technique well by collecting a great deal of footage from
either character’s perspective. We used the shot-reverse-shot method in the
strangulation scene to switch between the killer’s hands on the victim’s neck
to the victim’s face. Using this helps the audience to feel the action as the
camera ‘darts’ back and forth creating a sense of urgency too.  |
| Match-on-action |
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| Match-on-action |
Similarly
the match-on-action used in our preliminary video was a little sloppy to begin
with and we had to re-shoot the footage. For this technique to work well in our
production we needed to plan the shots better and film three times the amount
of video that we had done for our preliminary task. This proved to work well
and when it came to editing the footage we didn’t have any problems with the
match-on-action. We used this method for when the victim closes the car door
and the initial soundtrack stops abruptly changing the focus of the film onto
the victim being inside the car.
To
create a storyline and idea that would work well for our production we decided
to each devise a single idea to begin with. Once each member of the group had
an idea we sat down and communicated them to one another, discussing the
feasibility, until we had all agreed on a storyline we liked. We then took some
thoughts from the other suggestions and built on it as a group until we had a
set plot. In addition we planned each individual shot out as a team creating a
shot list and storyboard for our production. Finally in the editing process we
discussed and all worked on the video at the same to ensure that everyone was
happy with the outcome.
In
summary I believe that our production was a success, although some amendments
could have been made to produce a perfect piece of work. The planning of the
location could have been more thought out which would have saved time carrying
out test shots in a location where we were not going to film. Furthermore with
the help of a larger budget to make the film more realistic artificial lighting
should be used in order for us to film at night, rather than using an effect. However
I do believe that with the equipment and scenario we had that we successfully
produced a film that showcased different editing and cinematography techniques
to create tension and suspense within an audience. The video quality was very
crisp and clear as all footage was shot in the day and the costuming and props
we chose to use suited the plotline well. Finally the location we had chosen in
the end proved itself to set the scene well and keep in the time period in
which our film was set, other than the odd shot with a modern car in it.
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