1. Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary
task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to
the full product?
2. Preliminary task
• When working on our prelim at the beginning
of the course, we were introduced to the 180
degree rule, match on action and shot reverse
shot. We were given this basic knowledge and
instructed to incorporate it into our 1.30/2
minute video.
3. Definitions
• The 180 degree rule: This refers to the guideline regarding the on-screen
spatial relationship between a character and another or an object within
the scene. In other words, it means that two character's eye lines must
match and you cannot cut to the other side of the line without showing
movement. For example, if two characters were sat across from each
other at a table, they cannot be filmed from opposite sides, so that it is
clear to the audience where they are in relation to each other.
• Match on action: (sometimes called cutting on action) refers to the
editing technique where the editor cuts from one shot to another view
that matches the action being shown in the shot before. For example, if
one character were to open a door to enter/leave a room, they could be
filmed from both the inside and outside of the room and it would be
edited so that the single action of opening the door matched up in two
separate shots.
• Shot reverse shot: This is a film technique that involves showing one
character looking at another and then that character looking back and the
first character. For example, this often used during a scene of conversation
between characters, where the camera focuses on the character that is
speaking and looks to the other character to capture their
reaction/response.
5. Thoughts on prelim outcome
• I feel that I have learnt a lot since our initial
preliminary task. The two (prelim outcome and
film opening) have clear differences in terms of
editing and camerawork. Our prelim finished
product turned out well considering our lack of
experience and technical ability but did not fully
meet all of the task’s requirements. We failed to
include a match on action and shot reverse shot.
However, it was a good way of testing our ability
to work together as a group and get us working
on a practical task and I feel that I learnt a lot
from it.
7. Thoughts on film Opening
• Our film opening is clearly much better and a
lot more interesting in comparison to the
preliminary task. The plot is more interesting,
we incorporated music and titles into our film
opening and we used a range of different
locations as well as having an actual actor
(rather than acting in it ourselves) which
enabled every member of our group to be
involved in the camerawork.
