Preparation For Preliminary Project

In class we were given a Preliminary Exercise to conduct in groups of 2 or 3. 
The exercise was as follows: 

"Preliminary exercise: Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180- degree rule."

Our draft script on the left and our complete script on the right. 

I worked with Andrew and Kelly on this task and together we produced a script for myself and Kelly to use during the filming. Although our script was fairly simple and straight forward we were aiming for that as we did not want to make the script over complicated that it would be harder to remember whilst filming in the time we had. We first wrote the script briefly on a whiteboard and then transferred it onto a piece of paper along with stage directions such as 'KELLY OPENS DOOR'. It was important to conduct a script before a storyboard because in order to create a storyboard you need a script to be able to base it on for each shot. Also putting the stage directions in capitals ensures that the director (Andrew) who is filming is aware of what character is doing what during each shot. 

Our completed storyboard.

This is our completed storyboard of 12 shots for our Preliminary task. Each shot shows what will occur during filming, we have used stick-men to represent the two characters in the shots (Myself) and (Kelly). The idea of using post its was because it would make it easy for use to re-arrange any shots if needed. Furthermore in each shot we have drawn exactly what is going to be filmed and matched it accordingly to the script we wrote. However because in the room where we were filming there was no available clock for us to film, therefore we went on and filmed shots 3 through to 12 and went back to shot 1 and 2 later on when we were able to occupy a clock. The storyboard was very useful to use when filming because it allowed the director (Andrew) to direct myself and Kelly to what we had to do. 

Andrew filming a shot.

 This picture is of Andrew filming Kelly during a shot, as you can see Andrew had to position himself accordingly in order to be able to conduct the shot correctly which matched up to the storyboard.

The three of us talking about what we can do to improve the shot.

Here is all three of us where Andrew had finished filming a shot because myself and Kelly found it hard to compose ourselves whilst filming the shot. Andrew however talked us briefly on how to go through the shot and ways in which we could make the shot more effective. As a group we also talked about different areas and angles Andrew could film in, in order to match the storyboard we made. Although we had to take some shots several times it helped when as a group we would feedback and help each other in our weak areas during filming. 

Shot 7 Take 1 - Andrew preparing to begin filming.

This is Andrew preparing to begin filming our shots, did not film in order of shot 1 through to shot 12, but we split it into sections and filmed different shots because we had not been able to occupy a clock at the time in order to film shot 1 and 2. 

 

   

This is Andrew and Kelly referring to the storyboard in order to film.

                                                                                                 


This is Andrew and Kelly referring to the storyboard in order to film. As you can see we were able to use different equipment in order to film which was very useful to use and helped us learn more about the equipment needed to film. It also gave us good practice when referring to the storyboard because it allowed us to broaden our skills to ensure that each shot filmed match our previous planning for the Preliminary. 


Overall I really enjoyed doing this task as it allowed us to work in a group and conduct the storyboard and script together. It was exciting and fun to be able to produce our own short film opening, using the camera and being able to shoot each shot in our own way was fun and challenging. Also being able to give our own insight as each individual added to the originality of our Preliminary task because we made it our own. Being able to position our selves as characters (Myself) and (Kelly) and helping each-other to compose ourselves when Andrew was filming. 

However in order to improve we could try using the tripod in order to ensure that the camera does not shake during filming shots. Also trying not to laugh during shots being filmed which can ensure the piece to flow. Although we did make mistakes it was a fun activity to do and it helped us as individuals learn a lot more in AS Media Studies.