The preliminary task was a simple 30-second continuity editing exercise that required little planning or skills. In contrast, the full product opening sequence took over two weeks to film across four locations and required extensive planning, research, and mastering of film techniques. Key skills learned included how to use various shots to tell a story and create meaning, the importance of casting, mise-en-scene, and sound design decisions, and the value of collaborating with people with diverse filmmaking expertise.

1. The preliminary task allowed us to
understand the 180 degree rule, what an
action match is and how to film a shot
reverse shot.
Looking back at your
preliminary task (the
continuity editing
task), what do you feel
you have learnt in the
progression from it to
full product?

2.  The preliminary task was relatively easy, and required very
little work. The filming and editing of the preliminary task
altogether took around two hours.
 The opening sequence on the other hand took much longer to
both film and edit. One of the reasons why is because we
filmed the opening sequence from four different locations at
four different times of the day. This meant it took over two
weeks to complete. Another reason is because of the detailed
editing and the in-depth research and planning we were
required to carry out before we could start any of the practical
work. The opening sequence required us to compose our own
music and design our own production logos, on top of piecing
together the bits of film in order to make our final product.

3. When filming the preliminary task the only decisions that were
undertaken were those regarding camera work, although even those
were only briefly taken into account. Also, our filming of the
preliminary task was very limited as we knew little about the
different shots (we were only familiar with mid-shots, close-up
shots and long-shots) and it was also the very first time we used an
editing software (i.e. Final Cut Pro). There were no decisions
regarding mise-en-scene or representation of the different social
groups. This all made the task relatively simple as no planning or
skills were required. However, when filming the final product it was
clear the process of making it would be much more demanding.
This was mainly due to the nature of the task itself. The film
opening was much longer (2 minutes) than the preliminary task (30
seconds) and meant every step of the production process had to be
carefully planned to ensure success. It had to be planned not simply
because of the excess amount of work involved but because every
decision we made meant something. The task wasn’t just to film but
to be able to tell a story through all four media aspects (camera
work, mise-en-scene, editing and sound).

4. Preliminary task:
Had to make use of the surrounding area
(school) didn’t have many options as to the
mise-en-scene which wasn’t very ideal.
Final product:
Able to film anywhere we wanted. We
chose to do three establishing shots in the
form of a time lapse to show that
everything that is about to happen will
take place in the city (London). This was
also due to the fact our main character
was of middle-class background and the
vast majority of middle-classed people
choose to live in the city. Furthermore,
from our research we found that most
crime and mystery films take place in busy
cities, and so we decided to conform to
this particular convention.

5. Preliminary task:
no thoughts into casting. When filming
our preliminary task we made no
choices regarding casting, and just used
the people we were put into groups
with as actors.
Final product:
casting decisions closely informed by
research. When making our final
product we realised casting was
essential for building representation,
and therefore chose someone with an
olive skin tone to play our Mexican
antagonist.

6. Preliminary task:
no consideration into mise-en-scene.
We didn’t consider any props or the
surrounding area that we filmed in.
Also, there was no thought into the
costume. The actors were filmed in
what they decided to wear to college
on that day.
Final product:
we identified through our research that
the mise-en-scene is used to form
representations, and so decisions had
to be made accordingly. We ensure that
the costume was carefully chosen. Our
actor wore a black and white suit which
indicates that his wealthy and has a
good job. We took into consideration
props that had a negative
representation and that could be easily
associated with criminal activity.

7. A wide range of shots was not
used, and the shots were not
used as a way of creating
meaning. Only three types of
shots were used: close-up
shots, long shot and mid-shot.

8. A variety of shots used to create meaning and entice the viewer/s.
Two close up shots to show the time. This
was done to put emphasis on the fact that
to this character time is of essence.
An over-the-shoulder shot to allow
the audience to pay attention to the
setting and to allow them to see what
the character is looking at.
We used a jump cut to
make this particular
scene appear more
stimulating to the
audience. Having a
whole scene of the
character getting
dressed would bore
the audience.

9. I have gained many skills from the production of
the film opening. I have learnt how different
shots create can help create a meaning and can
represent a particular character or object in a
certain way, a way which stimulates the viewers.
I found I was mainly interested in editing, and
lacked skills in sound and camera work. I felt
that the people in my group had skills very
similar to mine, and therefore next year I would
like to work with different people, especially
those who are really good at sound and camera
work.