1. Preliminary Evaluation
How did planning help in the production stage?
Going into the production with planning helped us to record the shots as we know what we were
doing instead of being confused. We already had a script (though we ended up doing some improv
as it gave the whole thing a more natural feel.), Shot list and a good idea of the representations we
wanted to convey.
Our script helped us plan out the shots as we knew what each shot needed to achieve. This
combined with the Shot list meant that we had a pretty good idea of how each shot should be. The
speech from the script ended up being mostly improv as it made the language used seem more real
and less like it was being recited from a script. Having a shot list meant we had a pretty good idea of
how to shoot all the shots or at least gave us an idea of where to start.
What was your individual contribution to planning, production and post-production?
Throughout planning and production we worked together as a group. We made a mind map of the
genres we would like the film to fit into and the representations we wanted to convey in the film, as
this was a group decision it meant everyone was happy with what we were producing.
Everyone took part in the production of the media work, I personally was the lead actor ‘Lenny’ so
did not take part in recording much, though I helped to direct while not in shot.
The editing was mostly done by Jordan was he had access to Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2015 at home,
this meant that he could edit outside of school which meant the finished trailer was of a higher
quality as it gave us more time. I watched the edit before it was rendered and have constructive
criticism on something I thought could have been changed for the better.
How have you made effective use of the technical elements?
Mise en scene – As our trailer is for a post-apocalyptic setting we could be more creative with the
costume. Generally I think the costume used in the trailer fitted with the genre quite well and
helped steer towards the intended affect. The setting used in the trailer was also very apocalyptic as
it was mostly shot in an abandoned work yard, this gave the trailer an apocalyptic feeling as it has
been deserted. Low key lighting is used in the trailer, this makes the wasteland seem harsher and
creates the ideas of struggle and sadness
Sound – The soundtrack behind the trailer helps to create pace within the trailer with faster music
being paired with faster editing. Sound bridges between cuts helped keep the audience interested
between cuts. Dialogue was used sparingly throughout the trailer, this introduces the audience to
the characters and attempts to give an insight to the plot.
Editing – CGI and 3D motion tracking was used to create a matte background, this changed the
background to one of the shots which made it look like a real wasteland, and this helped to further
immerse the audience. Gunshots were added to the fake gun and the sound mix, this gave the
impression it was a real gun and helped create tension as the gunshots were higher in the sound
2. mix. The cutting throughout the trailer helped to control the pace, the faster the music and the cuts
the more tension there was in these sequences.
Camerawork – Focus was used throughout the trailer to show which characters were more dominant
in the shot, it helped to direct the audience’s attention to the important characters. Angles of
camera shots are used to shows which characters are weaker / stronger.
Skill to improve?
I would like to improve my editing skills for the A2 media project as at the moment I only have very
basic editing ability and want to improve them. For this task I didn't get much task asi made more
sense to the let Jordan edit the trailer. As previously discussed he did most of the editing due to him
having premier pro at home.
