The document summarizes what the author has learned between an initial preliminary task and their full opening sequence product for a film studies exam. The author learned to better use mise-en-scene to establish locations, plan props and remove unnecessary objects from shots. They improved lighting to build tension, costume design, and sound design to match the narrative. The author's skills with video editing software also increased, allowing effects like color correction and motion tracking.

1. Looking back at your Preliminary
Task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to
the full product?
Exam Question 7

2. Mise-en-scene
 I believe I’ve improved a
lot on how to use mise-en-
scene to show what’s
happening in a scene.
 In my preliminary task we
used a classroom as a
dentist’s office. Students
could easily identify the
room as a classroom,
making the narrative of
the preliminary task
confusing. In my opening
sequence I shot films in
actual places that I’d like
the viewer to believe the
shots are in. (For example,
woods or an actual
railroad track).

3. Large room filled with
tables, obviously
classroom
Posters and mess that
also obviously show it’s a
classroom
Actual railroad track
to show railroad track

4.  I don’t think that my use of props has changed too much
since the preliminary task. In both my preliminary task and
opening sequence I used a toy gun. Due to budget restraints I
couldn’t get a realistic looking gun and the gun I used in my
opening sequence wasn’t the type of gun I had initially
planned to use. I wanted to use a bigger more powerful gun
to convey Scarlet’s strength and power.
 In the preliminary task there were lots of objects in the shots
which weren’t planned to be there, but we hadn’t moved. In
this aspect I have improved as in my opening sequence I
strived to make sure that the scene was exactly as I wanted it,
moving unnecessary objects or items (for example, for the shot
of the corridor I moved the ironing board, ties that were
hanging on the door and a shirt hanging on the other door. I
did this to make the corridor feel more ‘empty’, the only signs
of life ever being there would be the signs of death- the blood
on the walls). The blood on the walls also signifies the enigma
code.

5.  One of my strengths for my opening sequence was the
costume and make up. In the preliminary task we did think
about the costume (suit, lab coat and rubber gloves) but in
my opening sequence I made sure to go over the costumes
and make-up so that nothing was out of place.
 In the preliminary task the shoes of the man in the suit were
trainers, as opposed to dress shoes that you’d expect him to
be wearing. This was an easy mistake we made. In my
opening sequence I created some of the clothes for the
zombies to wear myself, making sure they were exactly as I
wanted them.
I spent a lot of time on the SFX
make-up for the zombies and
make-up was also used for
Scarlet. Mud was smeared on
her face, helping to set the
scene of an apocalyptical
world. It also shows her
character – not being afraid to
get dirty.

6. Mud smears

7. •
Lighting on how to use
I’ve learnt more
lighting to convey emotions and
feelings. For the preliminary task we
used natural lighting, although we
perhaps should have used more
low key lighting to create tension
or mystery as the man is running.
 In my opening sequence I used a lot of low light, as well as
editing most scenes darker, I did this to help create the feel of a
horror film, conveying darkness, evil, monsters, etc. The use of this
light makes the viewer feel on edge, which is how I want them to
feel when watching my opening sequence.
 I did however have to alter the lighting through editing, as when
I got feedback for my opening sequence most of the audience
felt the lighting was too harsh and the inability to see what was
going on was too distracting from the film.

8.  Sound was one of my weakest points for the preliminary task. It
Sound
was more of an after thought once I edited the video rather than
thinking about it all the way through. I don’t think the music
matched the scene very well and the use of sound effects was
poor- taking realism away from the scenes.
 For my opening sequence I tried to think about sound a lot more.
I spent a while looking for music that would fit well with the
opening sequence and then tried to edit the video according to
the music. I think the sound effects I used were also a lot more
realistic, helping the audience to better connect to the world of
my opening sequence.
 After getting some feedback I also included other features for the
sound. I added a static noise which slowly builds up throughout
the sequence. I also added some parts of a radio broadcast
which I had originally decided to cut from the sequence. I
decided to do this as feedback showed that the narrative was
slightly confusing, so adding this sound would hopefully help show
the narrative more clearly.

9. Using the equipment
 I don’t feel as though my use of the equipment
has changed that much since my preliminary task,
the only equipment I used in both my preliminary
task and opening sequence were a tripod and a
basic digital camera.

No unnecessary head
When taking the shots I have however considered
room
taking into effect things such as head room and
composition.

10. 
Sony Vegasdefinitely improved since my preliminary task. When I
My use of Sony Vegas has
edited the task at the beginning of the course I was unsure of how to use the
software and other than putting all the shots together I didn’t particularly edit
them much. With my opening sequence I had acquired the software at home
and so had even more time to learn how it works and experiment with it.
Therefore with my opening sequence I was able to do things such as add
colour corrector to make some of the shots red, conveying danger. I also
altered the brightness and contrast as well as taking other points into
consideration.
• I’ve also learnt to
make objects
move through Sony
Vegas and have
used this technique
a lot, especially in
my production
logos at the start.