Prelim Evaluation

Prelim Evaluation

The task we were set to complete was a to film and edit a person entering a room then having a conversation with someone. In the task we had to demonstrate the 180° rule, use of match on action ,shot reverse shot and continuity.

Our camera work was successful in many ways, however, it could have used improvement. We used a majority of shots within our prelim such as longshots, extreme longshots, midshots, two shots and close ups. The composition of our prelim was also fairly good as we had an isolated table on its own which created a sense of abandonment for the characters. The room we used was also deserted apart from us to empathise this feeling. However, we did not use camera movement within our prelim, it would have been better if we did because we could have seen the whole of the room and also make it harder to creak the 180° rule as we can show the camera moving positions. The shots we took and used were also steady as they did not move at all as we used a tripod which made for a more streamlined and professional piece. Our camerawork could have been better if we used camerawork as it would have made it look better.

Our editing was also fairly good but there could have been room for improvement. We used match on action in our prelim on the opening and closing of a door. This made it look more realistic and smooth. We also used shot reverse shot in our prelim during the conversation where we used it to show the conversation which we also used over the shoulder shots with. We also used continuity when we let the character move through the environment as we used it from when he was walking to the door and then after when he was moving through the room. We also used a few transitions to show time passing which helped us fit the piece together easier. We did however, have a problem with the 180° rule as we broke it once where the character was getting out of his chair, this did not fit very well as we broke the rule but could have looked worse if we broke it more than once, this would add confusion to our prelim which the single break did, but not on a large scale as if we did it multiple times.

We also did not use lighting very well within our prelim, but we did use it to create effect in one area. We struggled to use lighting as there was many windows within our area, this made it hard to use it as we cannot change the way light came into the room as there was no blinds on some of the windows. We did use it at one time however. This was when the character was getting out of his chair and his face was in shadow as he was blocking out the light. At this moment, he was angry so the darkness on his face reflected his feelings and emotions.

From creating our prelim, I have learnt that lighting is very hard to use in some areas, especially outdoors, and that it is very important to not break the 180° rule as it creates confusion for the audience. I have also learnt that planning of camera shots is also very important as we only had a rough plan to go by and if we had a detailed one, we could have used more complicated shots and made it harder to break the 180° rule and to keep light at a constant or use it to create effect. This has helped me as I now know what I will need to lookout for and do within my thriller opening that i am going to create to make it look as good and smooth as possible.

In my thriller, I hope to improve my use of the camera and lighting so I can make a more dramatic feeling piece as well as make it as smooth and simple as possible while still using techniques and think of new ideas that could be used within it.

Pictures and video link will be added when it is available on youtube.