The document summarizes the process of creating a short film and lessons learned. It discusses using techniques like match on action, continuity editing, shot reverse shot, and the 180 degree rule in filming a conversation scene. Sound effects and music were added to create comedy. Issues encountered included lower camera quality and unprepared actors. Going forward, the creator plans to devote more time to planning shots, costumes, locations and actor preparation to improve film quality.

1. The conversation task evaluation
I managed to successfully use match on action as Billie walked through the door.
First I showed a shot of her walking down the hallway which panned to face the door
as she opened it, and then the shot cut to inside the room as we see her walking in.
This incorporates continuity editing as it all runs smoothly and you don’t necessarily
notice the fact that the shot has changed. I also used shot reverse shot and the 180
degree rule as she was talking to Fergus. This means that the camera wasn’t
jumping around to the other side of the room so the audience won’t get confused as
Billie is always on the left and Fergus is always on the right. I used sound effects and
music that fits in with the video, I think this added to the comedy. First of all I had
some music called ‘jazz comedy’ from bensound.com (a royalty free website) that I
used at the beginning which will help the audience to identify the film as a comedy
before the dialogue even begins. There is a sound effect of a record scratch after
Fergus says ‘I need help… with my jokes’ and the music that was playing cuts out.
This was to create a comedic awkward silence as he built up what he was going to
talk about to be very serious and then it turned out to be the opposite. At the end of
the film as Fergus starts to look more obsessed, I used a piece of music called
‘creepy’ from bensound.com to reflect more of a funny/creepy mood. I used a
dissolve at the end as we see Billie rolling her eyes, so we see it fade to black rather
than the film just suddenly ending. Simultaneously I put a fade on the end music to
create a smooth finish.
One of the things that didn’t go so well was the camera quality, it wasn’t as good as
I had hoped for as I used a lower quality camera. I used the cannon 600d instead of
the 700d which unfortunately wasn’t the best. Also, as Fergus hadn’t learned his
lines, he had the script on the table and half way through filming we realised that it
was there and had to be very careful not to move it so that we wouldn’t have
continuity errors with it. I also thought that my shot types where poorly chosen as it
sometimes appears as if the camera is jumping around randomly. I didn’t keep Billie
or Furg’s shoulder in the over the shoulder shots so it can appear as though I filmed
those shots at different times and they aren’t both in the room.
If I were to do it again I would use a higher quality camera from the beginning so
that the film would be in higher definition. I would also plan my exact shot types so
that the camera wouldn’t jump around. I would create a shot list with all the different
shots that I could use and think about what would work best to make sure it looks
smooth and realistic. I would also give my actors time to prepare in advance by
letting them know what costumes they should wear and give them the script and
storyboards so that they can rehearse before we go to film.
I have learned that the planning is key to create a good film so I need to devote
plenty of time into planning every aspect of it. I also know that I need to create a time
schedule so that there is plenty of time for filming without the pressure of having to
get something done fast. I also could think about costume and locations more, go on
a location rece and prepare costumes and set in advance. I also think that it would
be good to create a floor plan so that I can see where the camera will fit which will
help with planning the shots and angles.