Looking
back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the
progression from it to the full product?
The
preliminary task I filmed with a group towards the beginning of the course took
little knowledge of the equipment and only really incorporated the use of one
of the Panasonic HD Cameras and a tripod. The setting used consisted of the
building we were in and we employed very few editing techniques when we ran it
through Final Cut Pro. Although all this can be said, it would be untrue to say
that our preliminary task was not a vital element in our learning process
leading up to us eventually going out and filming for our two-minute thriller
openings.
I
opted to work on my own for the main task, as I wanted to ensure that I had no
one to disagree with when creating my film. This his proved to be both a good
and a poor decision on my part, good as I was able to avoid conflict with a
fellow director although working on my own meant that my work load was quite
large so I would say that my main difficulty in creating this film was not
comprehending the work set but more trying to find the time to complete it.
First,
I planned my planning, as every aspect of my preparation had to be meticulously
planned so when I finally came to filming I could be sure that what I was doing
would run smoothly. I had a rough idea of where I was planning on shooting
thanks to the research I had carried out prior to this. I eventually settled
upon Aldeburgh Yacht Club and my own house for my two locations, which allowed
me to finish up my storyboard. These locations were both perfectly suitable and
fulfilled what requirements I had, although the second (AYC) was slightly
inconvenient due to the fact that it is situated two hours drive from London.
When
it came to filming, although I was forced to wake at 10 o’clock on a Saturday,
I can say that I enjoyed myself as well as furthered my knowledge of the
equipment as I went along. I soon realized that the best technique in filming
was to gather as many takes of one thing as you possibly could, so despite the
process becoming slightly tedious, I could safely say that I had collected a
sufficient amount of footage as to constitute my film.
Shooting
at the AYC was very rewarding as the sky was incredibly beautiful and the
location provided masses of interesting different shots that on its own
provided an amazing MES and ambience.
My
technical knowledge was greatly advanced during filming, and I came to grasp
the process of using the cameras, setting up a shot, using the lights and their
stands. I was sure to check all of my equipment was in working condition such
as having an SD card and making sure I had charged battery packs.
My
editing ability and knowledge also took great leaps and continues to grow as I
finish up my project. Editing my preliminary task took me no where near as much
time as I have spent on editing my 2 minute thriller opening, partly due to the
fact that I have paid more attention to detail but also because I have taken
time to play around with the software, exploring its capabilities and
attempting to create interesting effects with them. My continuity editing has
improved and I am beginning to use editing techniques (match on actions etc.)
more frequently.
I
am still working on sound, although in terms of atmospheric/diegetic sound, I
intend on softening the sound through the use of EQ and filters on Logic Pro 9.
This is to leave more space for soundtrack and a voice over which I am yet to
record. The soundtrack I will be writing on Logic Pro 9 once I am further into
the process of editing. This sound track will resemble atmospheric and electronic
ambient works, some examples of which I have previously posted on my blog.
Manipulating sound on Final Cut Pro is fairly self-explanatory, and I have
easily gotten to grips with the automation and clipping it provides. Some of
the effects on Final Cut Pro are useful although I fell I will be able to
manipulate the sound more easily and more competently through Logic Pro 9.
In
conclusion, I feel I have been successful in the work I have completed so far
the planning, editing and filming stages of my production. I think I will be
most successful in my sound as I am well versed in that area. The skills I have
utilized and the work I have done for the production of my final task have been
far more complicated and effective than those used in my preliminary task,
displaying my advancement in the practical area of my Media Studies AS level.
