The document discusses lessons learned from a preliminary continuity editing task that was then applied to a final opening sequence product. Specifically, it discusses: (1) Using more match-on-action shots which worked well in both the preliminary and final product; (2) Improving the crossing of the 180 degree rule with a steadier camera maneuver; and (3) Gaining more control over color and lighting through correcting in post-production rather than using white balance settings. The preliminary task helped identify techniques to use, improve, and avoid.

1. Question 7
Looking back on your
preliminary task, what do you
feel you have learnt in the
progression from it to the final
product?

2. Introduction
 The
purpose of the continuity editing
preliminary task was to prepare us for the
final product by teaching us how to use
continuity editing skills.
 From the preliminary task, we could
identify things we wanted to use again,
things we wanted to improve a second
time around, and things we wanted to
avoid.

3. 180 degree rule

In our preliminary, we used match on action shots.
They were successful in our preliminary and we
decided to use more of them in our opening
sequence. In the preliminary, we crossed the 180
degree rule by panning round the character in the
office scene. We found it difficult to move the
camera round as we had a table in the way. In
our opening sequence we cross the 180 degree
rule when the detective enters the room with the
body. We had more space and were able to
maneuver the camera more steadily and easily. I
think the shot turned out much better than the last
time.

4. Focus pull
 In
our prelim our focus pull was a bit slow.
In our opening sequence we decided to
use another. This was used in the
workplace scene in the preliminary and
when the burglar enters the house in our
opening sequence. While we thought
that the focus pull was better and faster in
our opening sequence, our audience
feedback tells us that it was blurry for a bit
too long.

5. White balance/colour
correction

In our preliminary, we altered the white balance
settings. An example of this was the shot of the
clock. The shot turned out blue and looked very
out of place. Instead of using white balance in our
final product we set the white balance controls to
auto and corrected the colours in post-production
using the fast colour corrector effect in Premiere. I
found that this gave us a lot more control over the
colour and lighting in the shot as was a big
improvement on the colour correction and white
balance in our preliminary task.

6. Match on Action

In our preliminary, we used a match on action. This
is most clearly seen when Hector and his boss walk
into the office. We decided to incorporate more
of these into our opening sequence and an
example of this is when the detective is using his
phone. I think that the use of match on action
shots made the footage flow and gave it good
continuity. Our audience feedback would suggest
that these were appealing, notably the shot
where the detective looks under the sheet.
However, a comment made in our audience
feedback would suggest that continuity was still a
possible improvement to be made.

7. Conclusion

I think that the preliminary task was useful because
it taught us some new techniques that we could
use in our final product (e.g. focus pull), help us
develop techniques we already knew about (e.g.
match on action) and also gave us objectives to
improve on (e.g. colour and white balance).