Evaluation Question 1

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.