2. Research and Planning
• When I began my prelim
task, I did little to
consider anything to do
with my filming, other
than the shots I was
producing. I paid no
thought to the
actors, music, lighting, p
rops, costume, mise-en-
scene, locations, or the
shot composition – with
it’s connotations on the
characters’ portrayal.
• This led to a lot of my
prelim being left to
chance, and as
such, severely affected
the end quality of my
prelim.
3. Research and Planning
• I have acquired several
new skills whilst
conducting my research
and planning. I have
learned the high
standard, and the
specifications to which
professional quality films
are produced, and this has
had a significant impact on
my product.
• Initially, I paid little
attention to the costumes
my actors would be
wearing, as this seemed
insignificant to the
narrative of my film
opening.
4. Research and Planning
• However, as I further
researched into
professional quality
films, I began to
understand that every
element of the film is
highly important. This
led me to assess and
research into the
sorts of costumes I
would have my actors
wear, and also to
assess slightly how I
would portray my
characters.
5. Construction
The composition of my shots in
my final product was something I
had to be careful with. I wanted
to maintain the idea that my
product was filmed using
handheld cameras, but still
maintain and abide by the rules
and conventions of professional
products. I found that by using
different shots from different
angles, I was able to achieve a
wide variety of
compositions, whilst still
maintaining fluidity throughout
my narrative. Also, by varying
slightly the degree to which I
held the shot steady, I was able
to manipulate the degree to
which the audience was
reminded that my footage was
handheld.
6. Construction
• In my prelim, all sound was diegetic, and was captured
live. I decided to add my own effects following the
capturing of my raw footage for my final product.
• I also used a soundtrack and sound effects within my
final product. This allowed me to gain skills in using
software such as Garageband, and final cut express. Due
to the level of research I did into similar products, I knew
the sort of effects I would have to produce, and also the
type of soundtrack appropriate for my style of film.
• This manipulation of sound is evident in the level of
dynamic shifts I was able to create during my final
product. Furthermore, the “thuds” I was able to
manipulate further show the degree to which I utilised
sound throughout my final product.
7. Construction
• The lighting throughout my final product
is all natural. This is a choice I actively
made, as it allowed my shots to look more
natural, which was a key element in my
film opening. This was a major factor I
needed to address in my prelim, where all
the lighting that occurred was not
controlled, and may have detracted from
my product slightly. This, however, did not
happen, but could still have potentially
had an effect.
• Although the images opposite show that
the prelim had much more lighting in the
shots, the idea that there is less light in
the shots, so the audience cannot observe
everything, is a common feature of horror
films. Using final cut express has allowed
me to manipulate my footage to alter the
level of lighting in my shots.
• Also, as I was focussing solely on the shots
I was capturing throughout my prelim, I
paid no attention to my intertitles, and as
such neglected to put any in.
• As I conducted research into similar
products, I began to understand the
importance of intertitles.
• I used Photoshop, and manipulated both
brush and font tools to create my
intertitles, as well as my production
company logos, and the logo of my film
company.
8. Construction
• In my prelim, I paid no
considerations to the
location, or the actors I used.
• After conducting my research
and planning, I had to choose
the actors I wished to use.
• I decided to maintain the idea
that I would use an entirely
teenage cast, and so had to
pick actors of a similar age
group. I also had to pick actors
that would take the filming
seriously.
• I also conducted a recce into
the locations I would be
using, and attempted to
justify why I chose these
locations
