The student learned how to use various objects and camera positions to get different shots while filming a media studies task. They also learned how to edit the various shots together using Premier Pro software. While the finished project met the requirements of the task brief, the student notes that time management was an issue as most of the time went to filming with not enough left for thorough editing. Overall they gained valuable experience with filming techniques, editing, and collaboration on a group project.

1. Evaluating my preliminary task for AS
Media Studies.

2.  Throughout filming I learned how to use various objects in the
environment, such as doors, chairs and crash mats, to obtain an ideal
camera angle or shot. For example we used a crash mat to make the
tracking shot at the start of the video possible by dragging it along the
floor with the camera mounted on top of it and we attached the camera to
a door to achieve a high angle shot giving it a CCTV look.
 I also learned how to use a new kind of editing software, Premier Pro, to
cut down a lot of shots and allow continuity throughout. It also allowed
me to add in different effects such as the black and white filter over the
shot on the stairs.

3.  I also learned the importance of time management as it did become a
slight issue towards the end of the deadline which is something I will
keep in mind for my main task.
 Since I only worked in a group of two I had to adapt to contributing my
ideas a lot more than if I was in a larger group.
 I also had to rely heavily on editing as I found that continuity issues to be
a prominent factor in our clips, from starting one shot where the previous
one ended, to shaving off parts where one of us may have been saying
something at the beginning to begin the shot.

4.  Overall, the finished version of the task went quite well. It showed
everything the task wanted, including the 180 degree rule, shot reverse
shot and match on action. Various different camera shots were used
including an establishing shot, low angle shots, mid shots and more.

5.  The planning stage went very well, we had brought forwards several
ideas and after much discussion decided on exactly what the best plot
would have been, in this case a drug deal, and what kind of shots would
best suit the task. For example, we used a lot of low angle shot to make
the dealer look intimidating. After this, storyboarding was quite straight
forward since we knew exactly what we wanted and where we wanted it.
 As a group of two, we worked very well together, bringing forward our
own individual ideas and giving constructive criticism to each other in
order to come up with the best possible collaboration. We didn’t argue
over any aspect of the task and the workload was distributed evenly.
 The most effective shot we used in the task was the low angle shot since
most of the video revolved around the drug dealer, this shot was
therefore incredibly useful to give him an intimidating look and aimed to
dive him a much darker tone.

6.  Time management was a big issue in this task as, while we did manage to
finish the task before the deadline, we cut it very close. This was because
we spent the majority of our time filming and didn’t leave enough time to
edit to the best of our ability. This will be addressed during the main task
by ensuring that our time is evenly split between both editing and filming
to ensure that there is enough time to make the best piece possible.

7.  I think that I met the brief quite well having demonstrated match on
action where two shots link together in order to keep continuity.
 Shot reverse shot and 180 degree rule (we used in a conversation)

8.  However I think we could have done a better job at making the shot
reverse shot much better and much more obvious during the
conversation.

9.  Throughout the task I had the role of acting (as the part of the drug
dealer), I contributed evenly with editing as the other member of my
group, and contributed frequently to finding the best possible camera
shots during filming.
 While I do have a lot of non-contact periods during the school day, many
the same as my partner, I did often prioritise my other subjects during
this period as I still had coursework to complete around the same
deadline and I often couldn’t work after school due to other
commitments. In this respect, I wasn’t entirely flexible with my time but I
managed to put some time into it out of lesson now and again.
 From performing my roles in this project I have gained much more
knowledge about different editing techniques such as continuity and
using different filters over shots for various effects (CCTV etc.) And I
have been able to practise with these techniques frequently. I have also
explored the how different camera shots can be most vital to the projects.

10.  I feel that not only did I work well in my group but we both worked well
as a whole, although I couldn’t always give my time to the project for
various reasons I managed to help in the project efficiency, getting things
done as quickly as possible without cutting corners to make the best
possible piece.