Preliminary post feedback

The preliminary task:

Evaluation: 

Just from this task alone, I have learnt that filming, no matter how short or long, requires a serious amount of effort and editing to create a decent piece of work. I have learnt many new skills and knowledge that will aid me when it comes to producing our main task for this course. I learnt about all the different camera angles, movements as well as Match on action and the affect they have on the audience. 

Part of the preliminary task was to know how to use the camera, as simple as it sounds. You have to make sure that, during filming, it is level, focused, at the right height and kept in the same position for the duration of that scene, so that, when it comes to putting it all together, it looks effortless and flows well. 

During the editing, I learnt how to put the different styles parts we have filmed together to make the video flow well. I did not do the main editing, but by observing the other people in my group, I have learnt these skills. The group feedback we received was extremely encouraging and helpful, even though our video was too long. We were told we had done a great job and that we had filled the requirements for the preliminary task, however, there were 1 or 2 scenes in the preliminary task that could have been made smoother. 

If I were to re-complete the preliminary task, I would use a better quality camera with a better mic, as the audio to our preliminary task was not every good. I would also  practice a little bit more with the editing software we were using so that when it came to editing, it would look smooth and of a good quality. My group used Adobe Premier Pro to edit our task as it is seen as a more professional program to use for editing. 

I believe that the planning of the preliminary task went extremely well. We did not rush and the planning was consistent throughout. We took time to plan as we wanted to ensure that our product was to the best of our abilities as well as being sure that we were prepared to film. Overall, I believe that the preliminary task went extremely well, considering we have never done anything like this before. Improvements could have been made here and there but for a first try, I think we did well. 

The shooting schedule

Before we begin filming, we have to produce a shooting schedule. This is basically the order in which we will film our preliminary task. To save money, when people are filming bigger movies, they will not record the film in the order it's shown. They will film all the scenes that are required to be in that area. Hence why in our sequence, we are filming scenes 3, 4, 5 first.

We will do this so we do not next to keep going back a forth between locations, we can complete every scene in that location and edit it all together.

The preliminary task script

During the preliminary task, we must have a scene where a few lines of dialog must be exchanged. In preparation for the preliminary task, we have decided that we are going to act out a back meeting between a female bank manager and a male costumer who is struggling to pay back a loan. This meeting is a short one so we do not use up to much time.

Beginning of script

-Customer walks down the hallway.

   -Long shot to mid shot. Panning.

- Customer walks towards the door and opens it.

   - Close up shot of them reaching for the door handle and pushing it down, Match on action when the camera skips to the other side of the door. Mid shot of customer walking into the room.

-Customer walks in, sees the bank manager with a polite smile of her face.

    -180° rule used throughout the conversation.

Bank Manager -"Hello Mr Carter, please take a seat."

   - Tracking shot as the customer walks over to the seat and sits down.

Customer -"Hello Mrs Jones."

   - Mid shot.

Bank Manager -"I've called you here today to discuss your recent loan with us."

Bank Manager -"You've recently taken out a loan, and you have £4685 left to pay off, correct?"

Customer -"Yes, that is correct."

-Customer because even more anxious.

Bank manager -"Well we have taken a look at your account and we've noticed that your income has dropped dramatically. Can you please explain why this may be Mr Carter?"

-Customer is hesitant.

Customer -"No... I cannot think of any reason why that may be."

Bank Manager -"hmmm, well, if I look here, it seems your income from your employer has stopped. Have you lost your job recently Mr Carter?"

-He is once again, hesitant to answer.

Customer -"Yes, I have. I'm sorry but I can't afford to pay back the loan, is their any way I can extend my repayment or borrow more money until I am back on my feet?"

-With no sympathy or emotion.

Bank Manager -"I'm sorry to have to do this ,Mr Carter, but this leaves me with no choice. As of today, you have 3weeks to pay back the remaining £4685 of your existing loan. If you cannot pay this total sum back within this time, we will have no choice but to foreclose your property and sell it to recover the costs plus interest."

-Anger begins to show in the costumer face.

Customer -"You people can't have the decency to extend a loan for a costumer who has be nothing but loyal for nearly 27years!? Well this is what I say to you. You can take my house, I can no longer afford it. So if that is all, I will say good day to you."

-Customer stands up and pushes chair back in anger. He then begins to walk towards the door and exits the room.
   - Mid shot of customer standing up and pushing the chair away. Tracking shot is used as he walks across the room.Match on action will be used as we skip to the other side of the door. Panning shot used as the customer walks down the hallway.

End.

Preliminary task Location

Things to consider when choosing a location for film:

- Lighting

- Relevance

- Permission

- Camera Angles

- Easy to access

- Cost (not relevant for the Preliminary Task)

- Conventions

- Space

- Who else will be there? -Any members of the public?

Why have we chosen our location? :

We have chosen the upstairs Pankhurst Meeting Room, just outside the music department, because it is a professional environment, there is a long hallway just outside and the lighting is perfect. In addition to this, the room is large, which gives us the opportunity to use various different camera shots and movements. This room will also be available when we plan to record.

The professional environment is relevant to the task and also makes the video look better.

The long hallway gives us the space we need for a panning shot of someone walking towards the room. The space also means we could have a tracking shot if we choose to.

The perfect lighting means that is wont be too light or dark for a clear image during the filming. Also means that less light editing will be required, as the lighting will not be a problem.

We have also chosen this room because, for the preliminary task, we would like to act out a bank meeting between a female bank manager and a male costumer who is struggling to pay back a loan. We have looked at pictures of  official bank meeting rooms and have decided this one is the most similar (and spacious, giving us room to record).

                   

The Preliminary Task description

What is the preliminary task?

The preliminary task is one of the first recorded tasks we must complete, in groups of up to 4 people(however I am in a group of 2), as part of our coursework. This task requires us to film someone walking down a hallway and into a room. This may sound easy but we must then film them from the other side of the door. 'Match On Action' will be key during these shots. We will have to get the timing of the door opening from the inside just right in order for the video to look normal (and effortless...) to the audience. They must then walk across the room to a table to sit opposite somebody else. In these shots, we will have to demonstrate an understanding of the different types of camera movements. For this specific shot, we will have to use a 'Panning Shot'. A few lines of dialog must be exchanged using the 180° rule (when the camera stays on 1 side of the actors/action) during this short conversation.

We will have to plan the location and time we will be recording this, and the actors who will be in the video itself. We will have to go through our time tables and select a free study session that everyone one of us can attend in the location we choose. we will have to do a few takes on each part, and then use the best recordings from them all. Timing will be important if we are to get the Match On Action correct. Our planning must be ready by the 18th September so we can begin filming.  
 
By doing this short task, we are demonstrating an understanding of the different types of camera movements, angles and our ability to shot and edit videos we have come up with.