1. Evaluation Question 7
Looking back on the preliminary
task, what skills do you think you
have learned through your
progression from it to your final
product
2. Skills I have developed:
I have developed a number of skills through the progression
of my product.
I have firstly developed my research skill. When doing my
preliminary exercise I did little research which mainly
included looking at shot types and how many titles generally
came up on the screen. When doing my final product I
looked closely into codes and conventions of a film opening
and then again closer at the specific genre conventions for
my product. I was then able to apply these into my work. I
also widened my sources for research through my main
product. When doing my preliminary research I only used
the source YouTube, however when doing my final product I
used many resources such as conducting surveys, art of the
title ect.
3. Skills I have developed:
I have developed a number of skills through the progression
of my product.
I have also developed my planning skill. When doing my
preliminary exercise I only did a very simple storyboard to
plan. However when doing my final product I did a much
more in depth and detailed story board for every single shot
I planned to compose. I also did a recce of location and
looked at each place in my location that would be suitable to
film. I also did model release forms and ensured that I had
models consent for those who were to star in my film. I did
not do this for my preliminary. Finally I did a health and
safety assessment to make sure that where I wanted to use
would be safe.
4. Skills I have developed:
I have developed a number of skills through the progression
of my product.
Finally I developed the skill through the production of my
product. I developed my skills on final cut express as I
learned how to add effects such as a cross dissolve, speeding
up the shots, and how to adjust the colours on the shots. The
cross dissolve benefitted my product as it helped to create a
smooth opening which fits with the genre conventions. I was
able to change the speed which helped me because some of
the shots looked too quick to fit in with the other shots so by
slowing it down it helped sustain the same pace. By changing
the colour I was able to make sure my shots matched up
colour wise. I did not know how to do this during my
preliminary.
5. Shot composition:
In my preliminary I used few shots with a couple different
types such as an extreme close up and a medium shot. When
filming I did not do retakes and then pick the best shots in
editing where as I did this in my final product. I found that
this was better because I could find which shots fit best
together and looked the best together.
In my final product I used a number of different shots with
different angles to add depth and make my product look
more professional and more interesting.
6. Holding a steady shot:
In my preliminary I did not use a tripod for all of my shots. I
did a tracking shot and therefore had to walk with the
camera. I later decided that I did not like that as it made my
shot look wobbly, therefore I did not use any tracking shots
in my final product. I used mainly static shots which allowed
me to use a tripod to make sure it was steady. I also used
panning shots or tilts which the tripod also enabled me to
do. It looked better with the tripod because it looked more
professional and like a real opening to a film because the
shots were a lot more steady.
7. Lighting:
For my preliminary it was filmed in the college hall and
therefore the lighting was artificial and also looked too dark.
On reflection I did not like this therefore when planning to
do my real product I decided to film outside with natural
lighting. I think that this makes it much more realistic and
also professional looking. Also, the sunlight fits in with my
genre conventions.
8. Location:
For my preliminary location was not thought about and I just used the
college hall as it was free. For my real product I thought a lot about the
location and which place would fit best. I thought Hardwick hall would fit
well because my character is high class and the hall looks posh and fancy.
Also I thought the little statues and features of the park would fit nicely
and look interesting for the opening. For my preliminary when I filmed
there were other people sat In the hall and I did not want that for my
final product so I made sure I was there early enough for there to be no
other people there.
9. Actors:
For my preliminary I did not think about who my actors
would be and what they would wear. Where as in my final
product I thought carefully who would appeal most to my
target audience and fit the role best. I also thought about
costume as my film is set in the 1940s and I needed
something that would suit that time period to let the
audience know that it is a period film. I also thought about
the colours on her costume to relate and suggest the theme
of the film or the personality of the character.
10. Titles and sound:
For my preliminary I did not add any sound or titles. I left the
sound on that was there whilst filming. For my final product I
added titles as this was a convention of a film opening. I also
created a soundtrack which enhanced the diegetic sounds
and also made it more interesting. I muted the sounds from
when I was filming as it made it more professional and there
was some talking on there.
