1. Question 7:
Looking back at your preliminary task,
what do you feel you have learned in
the progression from it to the full
product?
2. Preliminary task
• When we started in September we were promptly put into
groups and given the preliminary task- to capture short
footage of a character entering a room, having a conversation,
then leaving. In the process of the task I learnt the importance
of the 180 degree rule and continuity as well as using shot
reverse shot in order to film a conversation with its reactions
without breaking the 180 rule. The process began with
planning by story boarding and creating a shot list, then going
on to get the required props and camera equipment and we
went out filming. Prior to the task we had some time getting
used to the cameras and taking practising shots which helped
me as previously had little experience with cameras.
3. 180 degree rule:
When the camera
stays on one side
of the mise en
scene because if
the camera
crosses over the
imaginary line it
could confuse the
audience i.e.
tennis/football
match.
4. Planning
• From the preliminary task we learnt how to more effectively plan a
production, even though this one was much bigger. We began by
brainstorming ideas as a group and then coming up with individual
storyboards and shot list which we combined in order to get one
refined group idea. We then took inspiration from aspects of our
research and attempted to pay respect to that in "Of The Night” by
using inter textual references. We had a clear idea/theme in mind
and from then on were able to make informed decisions effectively
over our use of lighting (ambient, non ambient, noir, chiaroscuro),
sound (sound bridge, non diegetic, diegetic), costumes, and actors. I
disliked using story boards however preferred using shot lists which
can be easily adapted to and do not require great drawing skills to
describe what you want to portray in mise en scene. The shot lists
came in very handy and mean that we could structure our shoots to
make the most of the tight deadlines and unavailability of actors.
5. Shooting
• We had a very big problem when shooting with actors being unavailable
which meant that after we had shot half, with tight deadlines and same
actors unavailable we had to re-shoot for continuity reasons. However
from this I have learnt not to rely on availability of actor/external forces to
effect the film and found a way around the problem by playing the villain
myself in the end by wearing the same coat and not showing my face. This
solution not only solved our shooting issue but meant we were able to
complete and edit our film before the deadline. Another problem we
encountered was cars on the shoot location meant that filming kept
having to be paused to avoid traffic although we solved his by filming later
on when shots close which fits more with the title “Of The Night”. In order
to keep continuity I learnt from the preliminary that the location, costume
and lighting etc. were all identical to how they were on the last shoot.
Without continuity the film would lack realism and look unprofessional
not to mention confuse the audience.
