The document summarizes a preliminary filmmaking task that involved filming and editing different shots to create a short film opening. The task involved filming one person walking through a corridor and into a room, where they had a brief conversation with another person. Some cuts between shots, like sitting down, were difficult to edit smoothly. Through this process, the student learned techniques like the 180-degree rule and how to ensure continuity between shots with sounds, props, and framing of subjects. Overall, the tracking shot, conversation, and editing flowed well, but effects, setting, and ending could be improved for a more polished film opening. The student plans to apply techniques learned but find a more interesting storyline for their two-minute opening.

1. G321 Preliminary Task Evaluation
Name: Sian Knapp
In a group with: Joe Gordon, Will Jackson and Bobbie Brader
Write about the preliminary task. What were you asked to do? How did you
find each stage of the process?
We were asked to make a short film opening using different camera and editing
techniques. There were 5 scene altogether, using different shots. One person was
recorded walking down a corridor, reaching and taking the door handle, walking
through the door into a room and sitting down. This also included a small
conversation in the room (where one other person was waiting). Some cuts were
hard to edit together such as sitting down to an over the shoulder angle. You had
to remember exactly what place you cut it for sufficient continuity.
Write the 3 techniques/rules you learned about during the preliminary
task:
The 180 degree rule was something new I learned. Going over a certain camera
line after the first shot in the room was made would cause confusion and make it
look like both people in the conversation were looking in the same direction. On
top of that, I learned about how sounds and props can affect the continuity. If in
one scene the door made a noise, but then made a totally different one in the
next, it would seem suspicious. Also, there was a clock that needed taking down
because it would have shown a massive difference in time between one shot and
the next. Getting all of someone in the frame I learned was very important,
because if part of their head was cut off for example, it wouldn’t look very
professional.

2. List three things that went well during the filming/editing process:
1. The tracking/panning shot that followed Joe down the corridor was
smooth and at an even rate.
2. The conversation worked well, connecting efficiently through editing too.
3. The editing as a whole followed worked well as I managed to connect the
cuts so that it was not obvious that different takes were made.
List three things you think could have been improved in these stages:
1. I could have added more effects such as dissolve to make for a more
aesthetically pleasing watch.
2. A different setting in which there is less props/clutter around would
improve the clip as it would draw more attention to the actual action.
3. At the end I should have cut to black before Bobbie looked into the
camera.
Has the preliminary task given you any ideas for you 2-minute film
opening? If so, what? If not – think, then say 
The ways in which to edit a film opening have given my ideas, however the
content of it has not.
Although it was a great way to challenge and show continuity, the actual action
was that interesting. I will take the techniques into account for the future.
I’d consider using shot reverse shot for a 2 – minute film because it’s a tradition
and effective shot to use when people are having a conversation. Close ups (such
as the handle) are also good.