Evaluation Question 7 - Progression of Skills

What We Had Learnt: 


In order to gain knowledge and understand camera shots, editing and producing an opening sequence we completed a preliminary test. This gave us a chance to test out shots that we could include in our opening sequence like over the shoulder shot, shot reverse shot and lowand high angle shots. This array of shots will insure our opening sequence is conventional of a thriller/horror film. Through this we gained the knowledge to use editing software’s such as ‘LiveType’, ‘Final Cut Express’ and ‘Pixelmator’. Due to me not having studied media only until this year, I had no experience using these programs but have used similar ones like ‘Sony Vegas’ ‘Movie Maker’ and ‘AVS Video Editor’. It was a challenge at first to navigate my way through the program but after the preliminary I learned how to add different effects, slow footage down and adding text. When filming our production logo sequence, we uncounted ambient sound, where the wind made the footage seem more mysterious and eerie until the hand suddenly hit the window. We later however decided to refilm the production logo as it didn’t reflect our film synopsis and theme. After completing the preliminary task, we felt we still didn’t have enough experience with different camera shots so we decided to film and produce a short clip dedicated to the use of camera shots. This proved a success as we knew what shots worked well and how to make the product look authentic. Another key skill, other than camera skills, I obtained was being able to edit footage quickly and effectively. I was given the task of creating the credits and production logo using Pixelmator. This meant I had to work my way round a program I and my group had very used before but after a few test runs I was adding and editing text seamlessly. After filming for a few days, we realised we didn’t like the idea and the acting, camera angles and dialogue was all wrong and we decided to change a few aspects of it. As a result of this change the acting was more natural and believable, we used a broader range of camera angles that will grab the audience’s attention and give variation to the opening sequence and we chose to only include a short bit of dialogue spoken in Spanish by the antagonist. However, as our sequence wasn’t in chronological order and there was a lack of dialogue, we found it difficult to create a script that was detailed enough for everyone to understand.

Various Camera Angles Tested: 



Medium-Close Up Shot

Birds Eye View Shot 

Long Shot 

Skills We Had Developed:


To understand the conventions of the genre we choose we decided to watch and analyse a few different opening sequences that fall into that genre, I chose ‘Insidious’ and ‘The Woman in Black’. In class and individually we looked into a range on planning techniques that all films include whilst in production. This included storyboards, scripts and market research which all contributed to our understanding of the conventions and unconventions of the genre. Filming,editing and producing the preliminary task gave us an insight into what our opening sequence will entail and the amount of effort we need to put into it. It also gave us important skills that we can develop and use in our opening sequence. Whilst editing the prelim task we used Final Cut Express to simply cut the scenes together put we also incorporated a flashback scene where we used dip to colour to fade from one scene to the next. We then took our knowledge of this editing technique onto our opening sequence using it to make it look like a relaxing and majestic dream. Live Type was another editing software we used which developed our skills as it gave us a chance to add professional opening credits to our opening sequence. We used the software to create the production logo, the actor’s credits and the film title which all looked very authentic. Prior to creating our opening sequence we had not experimented with the use of sound and sound techniques whilst filming and editing. However, we decided to add foley, a voice over and hypeb&olic sound to our opening sequence so it makes it more interesting. When editing we added a ‘ssssh’ sound and a backwards laugh which are all types of foley. These sounds will give individuality to our film as not many opening sequences include all of these. 0ther skills I improved in were directing, photography, storyboarding and script writing, which meant that we can make our opening sequence the best it can be. All of the skills we had gained from the preliminary task made it easier and quicker to create an exciting and eye catching sequence as we used more elaborate and creative techniques that we wouldn’t have used before.

Progression of Production Logo: 




        BEFORE 

AFTER

Weaknesses:


The main fault we encountered was the directing of the preliminary task. When editing we realised that the camera was shaky and sometimes created an unintentional pull focus that made the sequence look unprofessional. When fiming our opening sequence we made sure that the tripod was level and that focus was off, which proved a success as we found that this issue did not occur when we looked at the clips. To make sure we followed out script we needed to find a dark and small room to film our prelim which we found very hard to do. The problems were either a teacher was using the room or it didn’t fit the criteria we wanted which slowed down production. We finally found a room that was perfect and we included a small lamp to add mystery and eeriness. To ensure this didn’t happen when filming our opening sequence, we found a location first to insure we don’t lose any filming time. Filming in a chaotic school made it harder to film as the ambient sound made it difficult to film. To avoid this issue we filmed when students were in lessons as that is the quietest time.


Essential Aspects Needed For A Good Opening Sequence:

•   Being able to work in a team

•   Plan everything

•   Be creative

•   Organised

•   Good acting

•   Range of interesting camera angles

What We Have Learnt From The Overall Task:

.