Preliminary task

Prelim task

Explain what you had to do to do the video thing, and how you stuck to the match on action shot, and not breaking the 180 degree rule, exchanging of words , editing the video, sound etc.

What is the 180 degree rule?

The one hundred eighty degree rule is a method used to help the viewer understand where everything is in the scene over the course of multiple shots and angles. It also helps keep continuity. The basic principles of the 180 degree rule can be given in an example between two actors engaging in dialogue. A theoretical axis is drawn between the two actors as seen in the photo

Once filming in a scene has begun on one side of the axis the 180 degree rule dictates that any other camera angles/positions must not cross the axis of action. In the picture above its clear that that actor 1 is on the left and actor 2 is on the right, however an effect of breaking the 180 degree rule and crossing the line of action would reverse this so that the position of actor 1 and 2 would be swapped. If the rule is broken badly this can cause confusion and disorientate the viewer to the point where the scene is hard to keep track or unenjoyable to watch.

What is a match/cutting on action?

Match on action is an editing technique which pieces together different shots to portray the same action being carried out in a scene. The action connects the two shots which allows them to transition smoothly into one and other and helps keep continuity in over the period of a scene. This is because the action can be used as a reference point which allows the viewer to understand the changes in perspective within a scene. 

What is an eyeline match shot?

Eyeline match shot is also a form of continuity editing. The shot initially starts with a character looking at an object, or person, off screen. This shot is then followed by a shot of the object, or person, the character is looking at. This helps create perspective and informs the viewer on what’s happening in the scene even if it’s not on screen.

Example:

What is a shot-reverse-shot?

Shot reverse shot if a form of continuity editing which uses the 180 degree rule and is often also a good example of an eyeline match shot. A shot reverse shot traditionally involves two characters talking to one another. When one of the characters are speaking, the shot will be angled so that the character talking is facing the screen and the other is facing away. This is usually done through an over the shoulder shot of the person who is receiving the dialogue. Once dialogue switches to the other character the shot will then reverse to the other character the shot will be angled using the techniques as previously stated.

Example:

Describe how you incorporated the shots above into your final film?

We Incorporated the 180 degree rule when handing over the documents, this also simultaneously helped us incorporate a match on action shot. As you can see in the video, the rule was not broken as we never crossed the line. This was effective because it gave the audience chance to gather their own impressions on the file and show them the type of file. A good example of how we incorporated a shot reverse shot is when the two characters are exchanging dialogue in an office. As each person takes their chance to speak the shot reverses to face the person who is talking and have the person's back who is listening face the camera. This also made it easy to add in an eyeline match shot as we simply zoomed into the character liams face and made she the direction he was looking off scene would be where the the person he was talking to is 

How did the film making process go, in terms of filming shots from the storyboard and filming around the college?

In terms of filming I believe that it went relatively well although there were instances of which we could have incorporated more of the shots that I talk about above. Filming it around sixth form was a good idea because there were plenty of offices that we could use and it also fit the characteristics of what a business building would look like because of  it's layout and the way that it has the reception at the front of the building entrance. The story board however wasn't very representative of our final piece so for future reference I will try and create a more solid storyboard before hand so that the final piece is easier to film.

What did you learn about video editing on Adobe premiere?

I learned that editing a film to a reasonable standard is hard work, which requires understanding of many things such as the UI (User interface) and features of Adobe premiere. I also learnt that there are many ways to make our film of higher standard by using the tools that Adobe premiere offers. We didn't really utilise or use any editing on our film although, however, now looking back I think it would of been a good idea as our films atmosphere looks too bright which isn't the tone we wanted to set, the preferred atmosphere was dark and gloomy. In terms of cutting and combining clips our execution wasn't optimal. This is because half way through the film we hear one of our team mates vocally que to film as he says "3...2...1", which went unnoticed in post editing. Adding music to the short film also really helped convey the way we wanted the viewer to feel as it set the tone and atmosphere.