Pleminary Exercise Evaluation

As a group we produced a video for a pleminary exercise. The group consisted of myself, Marianna Theochari and Megan Saxton. While i filmed, Megan and Marianna acted. The exercise had to show the filming of a person walking, openenig and coming through a door then exchanging about four lines with another. After Filming aware of mise en scene and sounds we had to edit our video by cutting certain scenes and sections making sure the video flowed nicely.

The filming was quite a success, we filmed several parts many times but overall this gave us many options when editing the video into sequence. The camera was held steadily, the shots were efficient to their use and the eye line match was correct from the actors' point of view. Most of our shots were long camera shots or close ups, the long shots were used when we wanted to show Marianna walking, by using a long shot this helped to show her surroundings and set the scene. The close ups were used when exchanging dialogue this was used in the shot reverse shot way making sure the expressions of the person talking was clear, who they were talking to and where in relation to the other actor they were postioned (this is why the back of the head and shoulder of the other actor is shown) making sure the eye line is correct and relevant to the character listening. A double shot is used as Marianna walks over to sit down; this scene includes Megan so the audience is able to see where Megan is sitting and where Marianna is heading.

Although each subject is clearly visible, the lighting wasn't so good when filming. As the only room free, we as a group were unable to do anything about this, next time when filming the exercise we will go round to discover which rooms are free before hand which will give us the best of lighting. This would also ensure the appropriate background and setting is displayed although we picked a good room to show the setting relevant to the conversation spoken by Megan and Marianna. By keeping to one side when filming i was able to follow the 180 degree rule, this is clearly shown after Marianna enters the room and goes to meet Megan, this rule is also followed during the whole period of filming. Personally i would change the shots when Marianna and Megan are having a face to face converstation, although the shot reverse shot was successful when filming i could have postioned the camera better. Overall the camerawork was of a high quality showing the correct positions, eyeline match and was steady and focused.

The editing which was done by Megan, Marianna and I turned out well, at first we had a few problems when we could not get the video inserted into the computer but after this disaster we was able to get on with our work. The match on action was really well done, because the seperate shots we filmed all flow on from eachother really well. A good example of our match on action is shown when Marianna is speaking after she say's 'good' she then says 'Did you watch easteneders lat night?' These two lines were filmed at different times, their was meant to be a line from Megan inbetween them but the video didnt follow on so well with Megan's line inserted so we decided to take it out. Another was when good match on action was shown was when Marianna was coming through the door, I had to film her turning the handle from one side of the door then on the other side when she came through the door. The match on action had to be correct here to show no time had passed. We didnt include any jump cuts because we believed they were not relevant to our filming, adding in a jump cut could change the way the video is viewed possibly making it come across in a different way.

When we filmed the shot reverse shot, it took quite a bit of time. Marianna's section had to be filmed several times due to the position of the camera, the right lines and the lighting on her face after this was changed the filming carried on smoothly. Overall i think the shot reverse shot sequence worked really well. The pace is fast which is good because it means the video is more effective; although this exercise was very simple by keeping at pace it means it can be viewed in a more interesting way. I would not change any of the editing as i believe it placed the video together well.

The sound was naturally on continuiously throughout filming, even when editing we kept all sound that had been picked up during the filming period. This gave a realistic feel to our exercise. When watching the video the audience is able to hear the sound of feet walking down the corridor, opening of the door handle and the dialogue between Marianna and Megan which was loud and clear. By having the camera close to Marianna and Megan when filming, the sound of their voices was able to be picked up clearer.

Overall as a group we worked well together, we were all happy to take part in any role making the teamwork strong with successful outcomes. We were aware of what needed to be changed and what turned out well, this helped us greatly when editing and resulted in an excellent outcome.