The document discusses what the film crew learned from doing a preliminary task that helped them improve for the full product. They learned how to properly edit shots together, important filming rules like the 180-degree rule and shot reverse shot. From the preliminary task, they also learned to storyboard, manage their time better, and work with equipment. The crew communicated well through social media and worked efficiently together to film and edit on time.

1. Evaluation Question 3
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you
feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the
full product?

2. Editing
During the preliminary task, we had a good chance to
familiarise ourselves with the editing software. It was good
training ourselves to cut and edit the shots we had taken to
the precise second so that the shot would flow perfectly, and
to ensure precise continuity editing. Further, by getting used
to the different functions of the software, we were then able
to complete the editing for our final thriller sequence
quickly and efficiently.

3. 180º Rule
This is a rule I learned when doing the preliminary task, and
is the first basic rule of filming.
The rule states that he camera should be placed somewhere
inside 180 degrees on a particular side of the invisible line
of a shot containing two people filmed in sequence. If the
camera crosses the line, confusion results for the viewers
because it makes it look like the people in the shot are
switching places as one watches the film. Without having
learned this rule, our film potentially would not make sense,
and we could have confused the audience by ‘crossing the
line’.

4. Shot Reverse Shot
This is another rule I learned when doing the preliminary task,
and is the second basic rule of filming. Shot reverse shot is a film
technique where one character is shown looking at another
character, and then the other character is shown looking back at
the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in
opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at
each other. This is an important technique to know, as it allowed
us to present the sequence of Emily and Jonah sitting at the table
accurately, and allowing us to show close-ups whilst the audience
are aware that the characters are looking at one another.

5. Match on Action
This is the last main rule I learned when doing the preliminary
task, and is the third basic rule of filming. Either an action
commenced in shot A is completed in shot B, or an action in shot
A is mirrored by an action in shot B, for example when we cut
from character A in location A reading a letter to character B in
location B reading the same letter. This is important in allowing
the audience to see something from many different angles,
permitting us to experiment with different angles and shots,
whilst the sequence still made sense. Experience in continuity
editing from the preliminary task allowed us to create this realism
in match on action accurately.

6. Storyboard
Though we did not have any dialogue, thus preventing any need
for a shooting script, it was very important for us to draw up a
story board, reminding us of all the shots we needed to get whilst
filming. During the preliminary task, we did not make a story
board, which resulted in us making some mistakes and missing
some shots of what we wanted. As it was only a few seconds, it
was simple enough to fix, but it helped us realise that a story
board for our final thriller sequence was essential. We needed to
have planned every shot that we wanted before we went to film,
allowing us to have all the shots that were key to the piece, and
more, giving us leeway to experiment with other additionally
interesting angles, but ultimately knowing no matter what
happened, the core shots together still made sense.

7. Time management
Time management was the greatest problem we encountered when we
were doing the preliminary task. As we had to repeat this task three
times before getting a finished product that we were happy with,
therefore we were very lucky to have completed it in time. From this, I
understood that during the thriller sequence, there would be problems
encountered along the way, and that we would need to be organized way
ahead of the deadline so that there would be time to fix our mistakes.
This lesson we learned was crucial to us during the filming for the
thriller sequence. We were initially unable to finish getting all the shots
we needed, and the restaurant no was no longer available to us for
filming space. We had to completely re-start and re-plan our plot points,
but thankfully, we were prepared for this, and were able to complete our
thriller title sequence well within the deadline!

8. Equipment
Similarly to editing, by giving us the chance to work with and
control the equipment beforehand, by the final project, we were
able to easily work the equipment, and we knew exactly what we
would need to produce the final piece! Further, we knew what to
expect when transporting the equipment from school to our
location, and we knew what we needed to book all the right
equipment such as cameras and lighting in time. We were already
aware of the safety precautions we would have to take when
accessing this equipment, so that we would all be in a safe
environment when alone with it, and more over we would not
damage the expensive equipment that was loaned to us!

9. Camera Work
From doing the preliminary task, we learned that we would have
to shoot the whole scene from every angle, rather than just the
shots that we wanted, so that there would be no time missed out.
We followed this rule religiously when filming, but still made
one mistake, which unfortunately was unfixable when finishing
the final section of the movie. (You may notice this when
watching the final movie, where it jumps from one shot to another
where Emily goes from smiling to frowning within a few
milliseconds of one another.) We also learned of the importance
of white balancing, and remembered this when filming the final
sequence.

10. Crew Organisation
To ensure that our crew remained organised and kept up to date with
one another, we created a Facebook group. This meant that we could
easily communicate and share ideas and work with each other. We
assigned each other minor roles on this group, and we also arranged
lunches to communicate with one another during school. During the
filming, we alternated evenly between filming and assisting the actors
and equipment, and if anyone had any ideas, they were able to share
them, as the whole group got along well and were willing to listen to
one another. For editing, we made an editing timetable, and during two
intensive weeks, we all agreed to dedicate most of our free periods,
some lunches, and even time after school to edit the sequence. There
would often be more than one person editing at a time, but when we
were alone, we were able to communicate again on the Facebook group
to understand what we all wanted for the final outcome. It turned out,
we all had the same idea in mind, and everyone’s input was helpful.

11. Actors, Locations,
Costumes and Props
• Actors: In the beginning of the filming, we encountered some problems with actors being
unable to stay for the time we needed them. As we had to re-shoot a second time, we were
more prepared and found actors who were willing to give up their time to be available to us
when we needed.
• Location: Our first location was a bit of a disaster. The restaurant became unavailable to us,
and so we were forced to use my house. Fortunately, this turned out quite well, as we were
able to film at any time and date we wanted, without any pressure to finish. My parents gave
written consent allowing us to use the furniture and anything around the house, so we were
free to experiment.
• Costumes: As Jonah was wearing a suit fitted to his own shape, we kindly offered to
provide his own costume, seeing that it fit our criteria. Emily, on the other hand, is around
the same size and shape as me, and I had a dress which I wanted her to wear, and she agreed.
Though she also brought her own dress, mine was better fitting to the part.
• Props: My parents allowed us to use whatever we liked from the house such as glasses, a
wine bottle (filled with Ribena and food dye), and plates and tables etc. My brother allowed
us to use his pen knife. For the ‘poison’, we used sugar in a small bottle. We had to be
careful with many of the props, as they were often fragile or sharp, but as adults, we were
mature and responsible.