our preliminary task analysis

2. The preliminary task brief
For the preliminary task we had to make a short
film. This was a continuity task involving filming
and editing.
We had to include:
 A character opens a door, crosses room and sits
down opposite another character.
 The two people exchange a couple of lines of
dialogue.
 You should demonstrate match on action,
shot/reverse shot, and the 180 degree rule.

3. Our roles
We worked together in a three for this task.
 After thinking of ideas we created a storyboard so we could
plan what we were doing, when we were doing it and where
the camera would be positioned as well as what shots we
would be getting.
 Next we came up with a small script so we knew what we
were saying when we had to exchange a few lines of
dialogue.
 Finally we worked out our roles, what we were going to do
and started filming it.
 Rachael was the producer and camera woman.
 Heather was an actress and co-producer.
 I was the other actress and co-producer.

4. Evidence of match on action, 180
degree rule and shot reverse shot
In these screenshots you can see that I am outside the door
on the first one and one the next shot the camera is the
other side of the door as I open it so it is opening towards
the camera. This represents ‘match on action’ because you
are showing two sides of something as it is being done.
In these screenshots you can see that the camera is behind
my shoulder and facing Heather in the first shot and in the
second shot it is behind Heather’s shoulder and facing me.
This is known as ‘shot reverse shot’ because the camera is
switching sides to show two people which makes it easier to
see the people as dialogue is being exchanged.
In this screenshot you can see a medium shot of heather
and I from the side. This represents the ‘180 degree rule’
because through out the filming the camera remained on
the right of me and the left of Heather at all times so it is
remaining on the same axis.

5. What have you learnt about new technology from the process of
constructing your film for the Preliminary task?
During our preliminary task we had used a digital camera to record the scenes. I
have learnt that using the 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot and match on action
techniques allows us to produce short scenes that is natural looking and easy for the
audience to see and understand what is going on. We had no difficulty in using the
digital camera although we did have to record certain bits twice in two different shots so
that when we edited the short scenes together we could ensure that it was a smooth film.
We had to used Adobe Premiere Elements 9 to edit our film. By using this we had
learned had to learn how to use the software. We were able to put the scenes in the
correct order (chronologically) and cut unwanted clips from the scenes we shot without
making the scenes seem unnatural. In addition, we decided to use a more advance
feature by including titles, however we did struggle as we were not able to slow down the
speed of which the titles appear on screen. Therefore, we had to seek help from a teacher
which enabled us to learn how to do so in the near future.
Overall from this task I have learnt how to use the digital camera to effectively
shoot different shot techniques, also I have learnt how to use Adobe Premiere

6. Strengths and Weaknesses
STRENGTHS
• We were able to record the scenes in
chronological order. When we went
onto Adobe Premier we were able to
insert all the clips and scenes in the
right order.
• It is easy to understand and follow
what is happening
• We completed most of the tasks
without needing assistance
(although we did need help when
we inserted titles on the video)
WEAKNESSES
• We had to film some scenes quite a
few times to get it the way we
wanted it to be so we were all
satisfied by the outcome.
• There were times when we were
shaking when holding the camera so
it was not steady. For example when
we were shooting the scene of me
walking down the corridor.
• Were a couple of times when the
timings were wrong when we were
recording so we edited these parts
out.