Evaluation

The brief we were given was to create and film a conversation between two people that included match on action, shot reverse shot and that stuck with the 180 degree line rule.

The 180-degree line rule in filming is an imaginary straight line that the camera cannot cross when filming all of the footage. The shot reverse shot is an over the shoulder shot used usually when two people are in conversation. This type of shot utilises the 180-degree line rule in order to establish and maintain where the two characters in the scene. Match on action is where the perspective of a camera changes during a scene and the scene continues to flow.

In order to make sure that our scene was successful we did a lot of planning. We first did a risk assessment in order to make sure that we were aware of all the possible dangers that could occur. We then wrote out a script on celtx so that we had all the dialogue for our scene. From this we could then produce a storyboard of what our scene would look like when we filmed it. After finishing the storyboard we were onto the actual filming but before that we had to do some location research in order to decide where we would film our scene. We also took down a list of shots that we had to include in our scene.

We started off our short film by filming Adam walking down a corridor and entering a corridor using a long shot. We then filmed the same part of the scene again but this time we did a close up of Adams hand on the handle when entering the room. After capturing the close up we again filmed the scene but this time we set up the inside the room and filmed Adam coming into the room. We then moved on to the next part of the scene in which Adam sat down and started talking to Jake. We used the shot reverse shot to film the conversation along with a two shot. The reason for us filming the same scene so many times in different ways is so that we could produce a realistic match on action. Although we were eventually successful in our filming of the scene, we did have some difficulties during the process. One of the difficulties was that we had to film the conversation a number of times as the actors kept laughing and forgetting their lines. We also took quite along time to get used to the celtx system and had difficulty at the start.

To edit our film we used the programme known as ‘Final Cut’ and we all found it quite easy to use. To use the programme we first had to link up our camera and sync all of our footage onto the computer. Once we had our footage ready we dragged it onto the toolbar and cut our pieces of footage to the correct length. We made sure that all of our footage went in the correct order and that it fit in with match on action. After this we then added a sound bridge over the film in order to hide the editing. We did this by cutting the audio at a different time to the film. After adding this we wanted to make each cut run more smoothly, we did this by adding a roll on the film. This was the film itself edited so we then wanted to add text at the start which explained what the film was about. 

Evaluation

1.      Our brief was to create and film a conversation between two people that included, match on action, shot reverse shot and stuck to the rule of the 180 degree line.

2.      The 180 degree rule is where you imagine a 180 degree straight line straight through the two characters, it states that you must not cross this line when filming. A shot reverse shot is usually and over the shoulder shot used in conversation, it starts by focusing on one person while they’re talking and then switches to over the other persons shoulder and focus’ on the other persons face. Match on action is where for example you go to open a door in a long shot and then a close up of the door handle picks up you reaching for the door handle at the exact same point.

3.      To plan we completed a risk assessment, which allowed us to identify any dangers we may encounter. We created a script on celtx with the speech in the conversation and also some stage directions, I found celtx easy to use and found that the majority was formatted for you. We also created a storyboard with the shots that we used on paper, this made it easier for when we began filming as It made it virtually impossible to miss a shot. To ensure we did not forget any shots we also created a shot list. After completing all this we found a suitable location for our script.

4.      To begin with we filmed character a walking down the corridor, opening and walking through a door using a long shot. We then filmed a close up of the door handle with character a opening and walking through the door. From the inside of the room we used a long shot to show character b sat on a chair with character a opening and walking through the door into the room and sitting down on the chair opposite to character b.  We then filmed the entire conversation including character a sitting down with a medium 2 shot. Once again we then filmed the same thing but an over the shoulder shot focusing on character a’s face. Finally we filmed the same thing one more time but this time and over the shoulder shot focusing on character b’s face. During the filming process we encountered a problem with laughter however this was quickly overcome.

5.      To edit the film we used final cut to cut down the shots we filmed and place them in the correct order. This was relatively easy to do to say it was the first time we had used it. We then added  a text screen at the beginning before making it fade out into our first shot. We then made the sound roll over the image so the film flowed and make cuts not as recognisable, this draws the viewer in.
6.    I believe our film meets the criteria of the brief as everything was carefully planned with storyboarding, scripts and so on, our final film also demonstrates, match on action, shot reverse shot and that we have stuck to the 180 degree rule.

Evaluation

Our Brief was to create a short conversation between two people which demonstrates match on action, shot reverse shot and kept to the 180 degree line rule. Match on action is when two shots match up with each other for example first shot walking up to the door and then the second shot a shot of your hand on the door. Shot reverse shot is is shot where it goes from one shot to another usually used in a conversation for example in conversation an over the shoulder shot which then cuts to the opposite person and so on. 180 degree line which is where there is a imaginary line where you cant cross because of the background.

In order to create this short conversation i had to make a plan. We firstly produced a script which had a small criteria of it being a conversation between two people, we wrote this on celtx, Secondly we wrote a shot list to be aware of what shots could be used in our short conversation. We then produced a story board to get an idea of what shots was going to be used and where to use them. After we did location research to make sure the location was suitable and had enough room for what we needed it for. Finally we did a risk assessment to make sure everything was safe and there was no hazards that would affect.

We filmed the short conversation by filming the character walking down the corridor towards the door, we used a long shot, Secondly we filmed the character walking towards the door and open the door with the handle and goes through with a medium close up and a close up of the handle whilst opening it. Then film inside the room where the person walks up to the door and then go through it and sit down opposite the second character, using a medium long shot. Then film the character walking to the chair and sits down and film the conversation all the way through, using a medium shot. Then a shot from over the shoulder of character 1 and go through all the conversation, using an over the shoulder shot. And finally have a shot from over the shoulder of the second character all the through the conversation.

We edited the film on edit cut express in order to cut the film down and to make it flow easy. Firstly we had to link all our camera footage and sync it all together, we did this by dragging the correct scenes and dropping them onto the bottom tool bar and cut them to the correct length. We then edited the sound by overlapping the sound to the the footage and merged them together, to get a more real effect. After we was all satisfied with the editing we had to insert some text saying "preliminary exercise including all the groups names". This was a bit more tricky because you cant just change the size of the text in the same text box. In order to do this we dragged the film back roughly 4 seconds and adding a new black screen and typing in the text for both "preliminary exercise" and then "all the group names" and then after positioning the two texts to make it look like its all in one. Lastly we decided to add a fade in effect from the text to make it look professional. 

I think our short film demonstrates the brief as we included all the things on the list such as 180 degree line rule, match on action and shot reverse shot. We included a lot of these to make sure nothing was missing out. We planning the film before starting it and before starting the filming to make sure all the shots were done correctly and included.

Evaluation

Our brief was to create a small film of a conversation including two people which demonstrated a match on action, shot reverse shot and kept to the 180 degree line rule. We before studied what all these things were that we had to include. A match on action is when the perspective of the camera changes during a scene but the scene continues to flow. For example, like when someone is walking through a door. A shot reverse shot is generally used during conversations so you can see both of the characters, what they are saying and their reactions to the other peoples speech. This is done by cutting between people and constantly changing between the two people. The 180 degree line rule is to make sure the background doesn't change throughout a scene. You would imagine a line straight through the middle of the two people and stick to one side of it during filming to assure that the background doesn't change and the viewer doesn't get confused.

In order to get a better final outcome we needed to plan our short film. We did this by firstly producing our scripts of the conversation to make sure we knew what to say throughout the film we put this onto celtx which allowed us to produce it in the correct script form. After this we had to storyboard the scripts in order to make sure we knew which shots to put where and when to include them. We made a list of different shots in which we needed to include to make or film the best it could be. We also had to do some location research to find out which was the best place for us to film our conversation. After we found our setting we had to do a risk assessment to make sure that the setting was safe and there were no specific hazards which would affect filming.

To film this piece we had to make sure our camera was set up correctly on the tripod so it didn't move and affect he film. We firstly had to set the tripod up in the corridor to film our first character walking down towards the door and make sure it was framed up correctly. Once we had filmed this we had to keep repeating certain parts of the scene to make sure it can overlap correctly when it came to editing. We went on to film other scenes in the same way changing the camera position each time to enable good editing. The only difficulties we had with filming is that it was difficult not to laugh as the situation seemed awkward and un-natural. After recovering from laughing the film went pretty well and we had no other problems.

To edit the film we used 'final cut'. This software was pretty easy to use to say it was the first time we had used it. We firstly had to link our cameras up to the computer and sync all of our footage to the software. We had to find the correct scenes we needed and dragged and dropped them into the bottom tool bar and cut them to the correct length. Once we had all the footage edited correctly we then went onto editing the sound by doing the same thing but sometimes overlapped sound and images so they merged together better and flowed more. After we was happy with the edit we had to insert text to say that it was our preliminary exercise and include the group members names. We did this by dragging the film back by roughly 4 seconds and adding a new black text screen and simply typing in the things we needed. Once we had done this we decided to add a fade in effect from the text to the first scene to make it flow better.

I believe our film demonstrates the brief as we have included all the things listed such as the 180 degree line rule, match on action and shot reverse shot. We used lots of shots to make sure we covered the brief and didn't miss anything out. We really carefully planned out our film before starting to film it to ensure everything was included. I believe we filmed our film to the best of our ability and included everything we possibly could to meet the criteria. We used match on actions when the character walked down to the door, opened it and then went through it. Shot reverse shots were used as well as a two shot when the conversation was taking place and we kept to the 180 degree line rule all the way through the filming of the conversation.