1) The filmmaker learned to plan shots more intricately for their final piece compared to their preliminary task, such as camera placement and movement to keep actors in frame. 2) They improved image and audio quality by switching to a DSLR camera and external microphone. They also added color correction and non-diegetic music. 3) Costume choices were made deliberately based on characters for better continuity compared to the preliminary task where characters wore normal clothes. Shot length was also adjusted for smoother continuity between clips in the final piece.

1. Evaluation Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learned
from it to the product?

2. The journey from the preliminary task to our final piece has been an
interesting but enjoyable experience. Along the way I have developed
and gained a lot of knowledge about the quality of the shots, the
image quality, the sound quality and the continuity. All of which have
helped contribute to a higher quality of film making.

3. Quality of the shot
In the preliminary task the opening shot followed Tom as he walked towards the door to open it. When filming
this I held the tripod loosely in my hands and walked forwards and managed to get the shot in one take when
filming for Covert we planned out the shots a lot more intricately. We planned for the shot when Dan runs off
towards the steps by walking the sequence through slowly at first to build up an idea of how far back the
camera should be from Dan in order to keep him in frame and capture all the action. Also we decided that we
wanted the use of the camera to reflect a lot more of the characters feelings when planning for Covert. So this is
why we chose the handheld camera to follow Dan to reflect his characters inhabitation and worries. Whereas
for the preliminary task the use of the camera didn’t realy reflect anything it just captured the action.

4. Quality of the Shot
In the preliminary task I have used a close up with the camera to present Emma’s face. The problem is however
is that not all of her head is included inside the frame which distracts the viewer from the sequence. Also Tom
can be seen at the side of the frame behind Emma and because he might not be in the correct place this might
lead to some continuity issues in the filming. In Covert when Dan and I are talking we planned out the shots
with the story boards. We managed to include both characters inside the frame, meaning that they can
exchange dialogue without the audience being distracted by dramatic change in framing from shot to shot. Also
we filmed this scene multiple times from different angles so that we had many options to choose from in the
editing process and also meaning that there would be less mistakes for continuity errors.

5. Quality of the image
One big difference between the preliminary task and the main task was the camera that we used. For the
pre-lim task we borrowed a standard Panasonic camcorder from media and filmed everything on that. Then for
the main task we used my DLSR Cannon 600d as well as a Rode video microphone for sound. This made
massive improvements to our picture and audio quality. When filming the pre-lim task the lighting could have
been improved, because some of the shots were filmed facing the windows the light was not shining onto the
things we wanted to film but rather directly into the camera meaning that Tom became a silhouette. So when
filming the main task we made sure to correct this when filming outside and allowing ourselves plenty of
natural light that meant everything was lit up and could be seen cleary.

6. Quality of the image
In the pre-lim task we edited the footage together straight away and uploaded the video. The colours in the
video are all very basic and as I mentioned before not all that clear. When editing Covert we decided to use a
colour correcting technique on all the clips. This helped to draw out certain tones and highlights giving the film
a distinct look as well as making it look more cinematic. It also helped to make the footage clearer and more
intresting so it would engage the audience and allow them to continue watching.

7. Quality of Sound
In the pre-lim task we didn’t experiment much with sound and kept the dialogue simple with all of it being
diegetic so that each clip flowed from one another easily without having to much interference with audio
quality. When editing Covert we knew very early on that we wanted some non diegetic music in the form of a
soundtrack over the top of the action to create the cinematic feel that our piece needed. After Jack found a
track that best suited the sequence we trimmed it down so that it fitted the clips at the right points such as the
crescendo as the bus passes. We also added the ambient sound of a city at the beginning and using the editing
tools faded it in softly build into the film. Then at the very end we re-recorded the phone call conversation
between Jack and I and added a telephone sound effect over the top of the audio file to give it the crackly
effect. This we placed at the end as Dan walks away so that it was separate from the action.

8. Continuity
When we filmed the pre- lim task everyone was dressed in their normal clothes because we hadn’t discussed
costume or anything. However when we planned for Covert we discussed in detail what everyone would wear
depending on their characters role in the film. For Dan because his character is the protagonist he wore lighter
clothing to show he was a good character and to allow him to stand out. I wore darker clothing to reflect my
characters mysterious personality as well as his formality. And Jack wore the suit to reflect the characters
formal nature and the sunglasses to show his serious nature. This all helped to show the audience straight
away who each character was rather than leaving them with an empty character.

9. Continuity
In our pre-lim task we did include some shot on shot action demonstrating our understanding of continuity. Tom
stands in the door way and reaches up to the light switch, we then cut from a medium wide angle to a close up
of his hand hitting the switch. This was very basic and did not use interesting shot types or camera movements.
In Covert there were many moments for continuity throughout the sequence. Such as after the henchman looses
Flynn he rubs his head then drops his hand. To capture this moment we filmed Jack acting out the movement
with a handheld camera to convey his frustration. We then edited the two moments together so they flowed into
one another and continued the sequence.

10. Continuity
Some of the shots towards the end of the pre-lim task are too short and are edited to close to one another
meaning that certain moments are lost and the flow of continuity is imprecise. When editing Covert we made
sure to lengthen out clips if needs be such as at the beginning when Dan is walking. The shots are longer so
that they cut into one another seamlessly and do not distract the audience from the sequence.