The document discusses the learning from a preliminary task of creating a thriller film opening under 2 minutes. It describes the equipment used - a video camera, tripod, LED light, and iMovie editing software. Challenges with blurry footage and mixed bars were overcome by changing cameras. The tripod captured steady shots and unique footage. Two LED lights were needed to light the scene properly without overexposing shots. iMovie had limitations but effects were compromised. Planning and research helped determine a kidnapping theme fit the available locations and group's skills better than a bank heist or prison break. Feedback confirmed the final product fulfilled the task of creating a thriller opening under 2 minutes using conventions like power dynamics and sympathy for the victim.

1. Question 7 “ Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt from it to the full product?”

2. The Equipment, Growing in confidence. The equipment that we used during our tasks was simply just a video camera with a cassette tape insert, on a tripod and a hand held LED light while on location shooting the footage. The other equipment that we used was a Apple Mac laptop that was loaded with IMOVIE, which is an editing software. As a group, we had many difficulties with using the camera during our preliminary task, such as the footage was blurred and out of focus after our first attempt. Then when we filmed the preliminary task again, the footage became mixed and thick bars appeared on the footage. We found out that it was partly due to human error and partly to do with a fault in the camera. We over came this by changing the camera. This worked and we became more confident in using the camera as our main task progressed.

3. The Equipment. (continued) We wer e confident with using the tripod from the start of our preliminary task right to the end of our main task. The tripod was used to capture all of the steady footage and also to help keep the continuity consistent in our preliminary task as well as in the main task . In addition to this, the tripod also captured some of the unique footage, like, when only the kid-napers lower legs and feet walked past the camera. In conclusion, the tripod was an essential piece of equipment while we filmed our footage for both tasks.

4. The Equipment. (continued) The hand-held LED light box was another piece of equipment that we used during the production stage of our thriller. As our opening was set in a warehouse that was turned into an interrogation/ torture room, we used the natural darkness of the workshop and used the hand-held LED light box to create the effect of a swinging light. However, while shooting our footage we found out that we needed another hand-held LED light box to provide the extra light needed to enhance the visual quality of our footage without over exposing our footage to light, therefore losing the common convention of most Kid-nap style thrillers. We didn't need to use a light to create the lighting effect in our preliminary task, so we only used the hand-held light in our main task. The light was easy to use, the only difficulty was finding a way of positioning it effectively.

5. The Equipment. (continued) The editing software IMOVIE brought its own problems in the beginning because a few of the effects that we wanted to achieve, we couldn’t achieve simply. But we compromised with was available and what was achievable within the time we had allocated. Each member of our group had their own input into the editing and we each tweaked the other members editing work.

6. Our use of specific shot types. Type of shot we used Where the shot was used Reason for using that shot type Was it effective in fulfilling the task Mid shot Preliminary task To strengthen the continuity editing Yes, the mid shot was effective as it help to create a sense of continuity. Mid shot Main task To keep the identity of the kidnapper secret. Yes, as it fitted in as one of the convention of a thriller Close up Main task To highlight the ring, which shows that the Kidnapper is the one with power Yes, because it showed the power arrangement like most classic thrillers. High angle shot Main task To highlight the ring, which shows that the Kidnapper is the one with power Yes, this shot shows the classic convention of power in a thriller. Long shot Main task To show the vulnerability victim when on the floor Yes, it makes the audience sympathetic for the victim. Tilt up Main task To show how trapped the victim was, as well as how weak he is. Yes, because is it a classic thriller convention.