PRELIMINARY VIDEO
Throughout the filming, editing and planning of my group's preliminary task I learned and developed multiple skills that enabled me to progress in professionalism so my final piece could be as good as possible.
Firstly I practised the basic camera techniques, zooming in a out at a constant speed was something that required a fair amount of time, but whilst shooting scenes for the preliminary task I managed to master this technique, meaning zooming in or out could be done smoothly if I chose to use a zoom feature in my opening sequence.
Operating the camera was something I picked up very quickly as it was a simple, basic camera similar to that of which I had used before. The equipment had some limitations, there was no way to stabilise the camera for the birds eye view shot that we had intended to do, rather than change the script we as a group had to learn to adapt. To do this shot we had a group member stand on a chair and learn over the scene. *PICTURE As you can see the shot lack quality both in that of the camera and the stability of the shot, as well as our group member not being able to get high enough to film the entirety of what we wanted.
Other limitation included the professionalism of shots, we attempted to use a handheld shot as a point of view, but the quality was not good enough, it lacked professionalism greatly. From using the camera not only was I allowed to understand how to use the camera to get good shot but also what the equipment did not allow us to do, this meant could change the shot list pre-shoot rather than wasting the limited time we had at the location.
The ability to make a successful action match is key for our opening sequence, it was planned to be used on two separate occasions, once during the gloves smacking together, and again during the knockout scene. The quality in which I could action match was imperative as especially for the knockout scene it has to look professional. We chose to action match as it allows the fast paced editing to continue for a longer shot and makes the incident that is occurring important. We could also experiment with different transitions, we could see how different transitions effected the atmosphere of a action sequence meaning we could decide on which transition to use for our main sequence. As our title is 'One Two' we had to experiment with different text, although none was used in our preliminary task we originally had planned to use some but the nature of the quality of text meant we voted against this. From this we realised that text would not be added in final cut express but instead on an alternative editing software. We also attempted a vast range of shot type editing, or example the shot reverse shot we used to signify conflict managed to portray the intended effect when watched, this meant that as a group we knew a shot reverse shot could be used in our opening sequence to convey difference or conflict. We also attempted an unconventional editing technique for most films, and after evaluating it we saw why. We chose to break the 180 degree rule t signify disorder building up to the explosion n of anger y the soon to be convict but after watching it back this message is not conveyed as it requires too much deconstruction and instead jut makes it look jumpy and unprofessional. Our audience is one that would not want to have to deconstruct meanings of editing techniques as many of our target audience fall into the strugglers section of Young and Rubicam's audience classification theory who typically are lazy and would not want to deconstruct a piece so the use of the 180 degree rule would be redundant.
The sound was something that needed to be evaluated extensively in order to achieve the best film. Although dialogue is minimal in our sequence it still had to be investigated as it still plays a crucial role. During the preliminary task we choose to film both partially memorized lines and fully memorized lines. This was so we could decide whether the partially memorized lines added authenticity without taking away from the effect of the dialogue as we want our dialogue to be as realistic as possible but still emphasised. From filming both we found the fully rehearsed lines were better as there was no stuttering and since it is an action film it took away from the immersion and the atmosphere. This experiment's outcome was that during our final sequence we will fully rehearse all lines. The sound quality of the camera was very poor, this caused us to decide to get an outside company to provide us with a boom mic. Also for the voiceover we would record we decided to use a professional sound booth so the voiceover can be heard clearly so the emphasis is strong. SOUND BOOTH
As well as the investigation of diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound would also be investigated. The music would play a key role in our final sequence due to the small amounts of dialogue. Music is key as it can totally influence audience opinion of character and shape the atmosphere for the film, this meant we had to study how different tracks would effect our piece. We tested three different types of tracks against our preliminary task, firstly a high intensity track throughout the whole piece but this did not suite the calm start. Then we decided to try a tension building track which would explode simultaneously with the actor, however we opted for a dark mysterious piece which we felt would add layers to our convict character. After our review and some feedback we felt that this would not site our main sequence as the character is meant to be likeable and it does not build the adrenaline and immerse the audience in a way we would like. We instead chose to use high intensity music for our final piece as it matches the fast paced editing and causes the atmosphere to be tense and exciting as well as fuelling the audience with adrenaline which is what we aim for.
Time management was an issue me and my group were worried about, this is because we only had a limited amount of time at the location we have chosen. The shortcomings in our planning from the preliminary task allowed us to plan effectively our actual sequence. We found that as a group we were forgetting which shot we needed to film next, this inspired us to create a shot list for our actual sequence that one crew member would have on them at all times so we could move on to the next shot quickly. As I said time was something we were worried about, this was the inspiration for the shooting schedule, it contains the timings and dates for when would film certain shots allowing us to remain on track and not fall behind. Storyboards was also something that we produced for a planning resource, this was so we had an idea of how the film would look so each scene, each line could achieve its purpose. The storyboard was an idea that was not put into place for the preliminary task regrettably. The lack of a storyboard meant we could not match each shot a particular part of the sequence again allowing our time to be used efficiently. We also had multiple copies of the script on hand just in case one was lost, these scripts were used to prompt and remind actors of lines if they forgot. All actors on the day had their lines fully rehearsed from the fore mentioned decision we made after experimenting in the preliminary task.
The variety of shot used was a weakness as there were few, the quality of the handheld shots attempted were poor, this did have some positive effect at it meant we did not plan to use an in our final piece, also the quality of the birds eye view shot was low as it was not stable enough.
The attempted breaking of the 180 degree rule also failed as it intended purpose did not come across.
The location choice of the preliminary task was poor, this is because we did not have man options as we had a limited time with the equipment it was not closed off meaning that anyone could interrupt the scene ruining the sound, visuals and causing huge continuity errors. The time management factor was also a weakness I meant we could no film all the shots we wanted meaning our film would not be at the highest standard possible.
Our final piece will not contain these weaknesses, firstly the problem of location has been solved by the planning. we have requested and received confirmation that rose hill gym will allow us exclusive use of their boxing area uninterrupted for 5 hours, this means their will be no one entering the location and ruining of shooting. The timing problems will be fixed by extensive planning, storyboards, scripts, shot lists and schedules have al been produced so time can be used effectively and we can film as efficiently as possible. We have decided to not break the 180 degree rule in our main sequence so this problem becomes obsolete.
DIFFERENT EQUIPMENT:
My group and I were very dissatisfied with the quality of equipment. In order for our film o be of the highest standard we needed tracking, a high resolution camera, lighting and a boom mic. Since we could not afford the equipment ourselves we decided to reach out to a company called 'the Bank' who, under the supervision of an employee, agreed to lend us the equipment that you can see if Paris' evaluation question. This equipment allowed to film otherwise unshootable shots like the walkout scene and allowed the quality to be high.
WHAT IS CRUCIAL FOR A GOOD PRACTICAL PIECE:
I believe that three things fundamentally result in a good opening sequence. Firstly planning, as you can see from what I have written without extensive planning we would not have been able to use out time effectively and film all shots. You also need the script to be written and checked over multiple times to ensure there is a clear narrative, and if there is not why so. You also need to have the atmosphere you intend you present decided in order for you to manipulate your actor, costume, sound, editing all around it.
Secondly I believe good equipment is needed, if we did not have the right equipment there are some shots that we would not have been able to use, such as the walkout scene. This would have taken away from the immersion of this film as all shots were designed specifically for a purpose most of which as to build adrenaline for the audience. Also low camera quality can take away from the realism of the piece which again takes away from the immersion which is crucial for a successful film a you need to be able to influence the audiences emotions.
Finally character, costume and location is a key part. In our case the protagonist had to be likeable and passionate, only certain actors can portray this so deciding an actor took consideration. We also needed to make the villain an unlikeable character and we chose to do this by using a ethnic minority as a challenge to social convention of equality and more of a stereotypical view. The location needs to be a careful decision as it allows audiences to become immersed as it can create realism if the location suites the narrative. It can also indicates a characters journey from a success to a failure or visa versa as seen in ours as the character starts at a gritty gym but then proceeds to be a world famous boxer.
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