Question 7

1. Evaluation Question 7
Looking back at your
preliminary task, what do you
feel you have learnt from the
progression from it to the full
product?

2. Preliminary task
❖ At the start of the year we were instructed to make a short,
30 second to a minute film. This was to show our current
understanding of how to produce films. Our aim was to
include a variety of angles, camera movements and shots.
Our narrative was simple, it consisted of a student being told
off by a teacher, we felt this simple narrative led to
opportunities of presenting a power balance or shift.

3. Storyboarding
❖ For our preliminary task we
made a 10-15 shot storyboard,
this included type of shot (for
example CU, LS XLS) length of
shot, camera movement, edit,
titles and dialogue.We did this
also for our final
production,however we had
around 50 shots and did more
drafts, and edits.

4. Shots
❖ For the majority of our preliminary film we used basic
shots that constructed a basic narrative, we used
long shots, medium shots and several close up
shots. With very limited camera movement. For our
main production we used a wider variety and more
advanced shots, such a several POV shots, worms
eye view shots, over the shoulder shots, extreme
long shots. These created a more suspenseful
atmosphere and showed our film to be more of a
professional standard.
❖ We used the POV shots to show an emotional
connection between the characters, it helped give a
wider perspective on the characters by letting the
viewer see what they were seeing. One example of
this is the XCU of the planning board, so the viewer
could get a feel for the intentions of the antagonist.
❖ In our preliminary film we used several zoom shots,
however due to them being unsteady we decided not
to use them in our final production.

5. Editing
❖ In our preliminary film we used basic cut and continuity editing, with no transitions or jump
cuts. The cuts were slow paced, to represent the narrative. However in our final production
we used several transitions, jump cuts and faster paced editing. We used a fade transition
at 1:03 to show the movement in time, and we used an advanced transition at 0:29 to
emphasise the dual narrative. We also used faster cuts closer to the end to give a preferred
reading of danger and create suspense for the viewers.

6. Titles and credits
❖ In our preliminary film we used titles, however they
were on a black screen, and the typography and the
animation did not fit the narrative. However, we have
since progressed our skills in LiveType and for our
main production we managed to have the text
appear over our film, as well as having typography
and animation that suited the narrative.
❖ Furthermore we increased the number of title and
credits that were relevant, in our preliminary film we
used 2 credits and 1 title. However in our main
production we used 7, including a our films title that
faded in from back and had suitable typography and
style. Our main production had more of a
professional feel, as we followed the conventions of
films we had researched we included more credits
such as , Director, Studio and Music. By increasing
these, adding animation and typography that suited
the narrative we made a large improvement on our
preliminary films titles and credits.

7. Ident
❖ The ident we used at the start of our
preliminary film was very basic and
reflected the narrative of the film. There was
no sound or movement, this is
unconventional for idents. As our skills were
limited in making these it did not have the
professional standard we were hoping for.
❖ Further into our production we had become
more experienced using LiveType and
Premier Pro we managed to make an ident
that we felt was as conventional as we
could make it. We added two parts of
animation, as well as sound. The ident also
acted as a sound bridge into the narrative.

8. Sound
❖ For our preliminary film we used basic sound and sound techniques, we used
“Open your eyes” by snow patrol to have as a soundtrack, this music was easy
to find and suited the narrative. Furthermore we increased or decreased the
volume when the characters came to say their lines. The sound was also cut
abruptly as our skills on Adobe Premier Pro were not up to our current
standard.
❖ In our main production we found a non-copyrighted track called Toscine Hell
we felt this track suited the narrative as it gradually builds up to a climax end,
which we faded out. We also found a free sound effect online on a ticking clock
which we added to to the film, due to the fact our opening has a strong sense of
time we found this to be necessary and effective in creating a suspenseful
opening. We also found a stretching sound effect in which we added to the
ident to create a more professional look.

9. Equipment and software
❖ For our preliminary film we used a Flip camera, as these are easy
to operate as well as easy to store and move footage. However
they do not have great picture quality and this was apparent in the
quality of the picture in our preliminary film. However in our final
production we used a panasonic HDC-SD700 camera, which films
in HD and had better features, therefor making our film look more
professional.
❖ Due to our preliminary film having several unintentional shaky
shots, we decided to use a dolly and a tripod for our final
production. We found this made our film look more professional
and easier to watch and work with.
❖ To edit our preliminary film we used Final Cut Express which
allowed us to do what we needed for our preliminary film however
for our final production we needed Premier Pro because of the
more effects it offers, such as filters. Premier Pro is of industry
standard and was used to edit Gone Girl. It’s easy and simple
layout made it easier for us to edit, we took advantage of the filters
to create our preferred atmosphere and feel of the film.
❖ For our titles in both our final production and preliminary film we
used LiveType, this was an easy to use software and we
developed our skills throughout the process and managed to
create more conventional and industry standard titles and credits.

10. Team work
❖ Due to the prolonged filming as opposed to the short filming chose a different cast from our
preliminary film to our final film. Our cast for our final production we thought would be more reliable
outside of school, as the filming took 3 days as opposed to 2 hours. We needed better
communication as well as a call sheet to help keep both cast and crew on track. We also used
Facebook messenger and iMessage to communicate between cast and crew throughout the filming
process.
❖ Overall we found we worked well together in our group and split the workload equally and to our
strengths to try and make the best production possible.

11. To conclude…
❖ Overall, we believe that our practical production skills
have greatly improved since our preliminary film, we used
different equipment to create a more industry standard
feel to our film. As well as using a wider variety of shots
and editing techniques. Our narrative was more complex
and enjoyable to follow for the viewer.
❖ As well as our production skills we have also learnt how to
manage time efficiently as well as how to work well in a
group towards deadlines.