Friday, 29/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Uploading

This is the final cut of th sequence for our preliminary task.

Positives:

I believe that we demonstrated a range of techniques well considering it was our first attempt. We aimed to add in a variety of shots, effects and sound. We used copyright free music, which was a good practice for the real coursework task. I believe we also worked and planned efficiently as a group, using our time wisely and also consulting resources and being resilient when needed. Also, I believe we attempted editing rather well considering it was our first time using the program with no previous knowledge, yet I still feel this could be improved a considerable amount.

Negatives:

We did not handle problems with the best manner and also did not think our plans through thoroughly enough whilst filming, leading to us breaking the 180 degree rule. We also took a considerable amount of time to film the takes, leading us to potentially falling behind the rest of the class. Our setting was also not sufficient as we had a large amount of background noise that disturbed our filming, and also leading to a 'fuzzy' sound on the camera. I believe we could've also used lighting in a better manner, as well as mise en scene and props.

Overall:

I believe the group had the correct approach to team work and ideas for the filming, however once the filming began we did not plan thoroughly enough. Also, I believe we could've read instructions and guidelines more clearly in order to work faster and more efficiently, thus getting the filming and editing done faster, but to the same, if not a higher, quality.

Friday, 29/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Uploading

After finishing our preliminary and having it checked, we needed to export it in order to upload it to our blogs and to burn it to a DVD for the examiners.

Firstly, we needed to render the effects before exporting by pressing enter. This was simple to do as we only had a few effects, however once we begin filming the real coursework task, rendering will take much longer as more effects will be used.

Secondly, we exported the sequence to AVI, as this is what format it will be when it is burnt onto the DVD for the examiner, and was exported in widescreen as we filmed in widescreen. Afterwards, we had to export by 'starting queue', which took only a few seconds, but again will take longer in the 'real thing'.

Furthermore, it had to be uploaded via a Youtube account as there were problems with Blogger being too slow with uploading, therefore a different approach had to be taken. For this, we created a new account under the name of 'MegaAndrew2012', and then we began to upload the video. It however became apparent that this would take a considerable amount of time to achieve.

Friday, 29/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Editing

Today, we used Adobe Premier Pro to edit our preliminary task, however we did encounter some problems. Some of these problems included not knowing how to edit clips together properly or crop them successfully. We were given a manual on how to use the program, however we neglected to consult this as we did not find this as useful as it could've been, therefore we decided to figure out how to do it on our own. This, as we found, was not the best of ideas.

Unfortunately, we captured all our film at once and not in separate blocks, thus making it harder to edit successfully. We used the 'set in' and 'set out' points in order to crop the film into appropriate sections, however we found this was frustrating and time consuming as we had to time it perfectly in order to obtain the clips we wanted. This occasionally did not go to plan, and we had to start our work again numerous times before we could actually continue to edit properly.

However, after a while we began to understand how to edit our clips together, and to even add transitions such as fade to black and adding titles to the finished product. We also obtained some music from a copyright free source to play over the top of the climax of the sequence. This was obtained from http://derekaudette.ottwaarts.com and we chose 'The Long Road Into The Night'. We thought this fitted appropriately with the piece.

We did however establish some problems once we began to watch our filming back, and discovered we broke the 180 degree rule. In order for this to not become a problem again, we need to think more carefully about positioning whilst filming. Also, there was a considerable amount of background noise that interfered with the dialogue, including white noise buzzing and the sound of the classes in the English block where we filmed. For this problem to be resolved in the future, the location needs to be chosen wisely and any factors which may interfere have to be taken into account.

Monday, 25/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Filming

Today, we re-filmed our entire sequence for our preliminary task. We ensured that we incorporated a variety of shots and camera movements, such as a tilt, close up and shot-reverse-shot, including over the shoulder shots. This took around 20 to 30 minutes, and in this time we learned the difficulties that may be encountered whilst filming, such as locations, timing and casting.

Afterwards, we began to edit our sequence together, after watching a demonstration at the start of the lesson on how to work Adobe Premier Pro CS4. This demo included tips on what not to do in order to make sure our work would save correctly. Once we'd transferred our material onto the computer from a tape, we tried editing, however encountered some difficulties. One of these was that we didn't split our sequence into separate clips, making it incredibly difficult to edit together. From this experience, I have realised that it is ideal, and almost essential, to split sequences up, other wise it makes it harder to edit.

Next lesson, (Friday, 29/01/2010) we aim to have edited our piece, and recorded any necessary diegetic sound to complement it.

Saturday, 23/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Planning

(The first page of our storyboard)

(The second page of our storyboard)

Friday, 22/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Filming

Today, we began by learning how to operate the Panasonic video camera and equipment, including how to adjust the white balance manually and use the tripods in order to obtain better filming quality. After reviewing our story boards, we then practised certain shots such as a tilt, pan and over the shoulder shot. However, as one group member was absent during the first hour, we were unable to film any actual footage, but were allocated a location to film.

During the second hour, where the entire group was present, we were forced to find a different location that was suitable for the task. I felt this hindered us as we had strict time limitations and finding and arranging the room and props (mise en scene) took too long. However, we did begin shooting the first few scenes including a pan shot, POV/long shot, over the shoulder shot and establishing two shot. This helped the group in understanding composition and camera shots and angles more.

Unfortunately, we were not able to shoot the entire sequence, and fear we may have to re shoot the entire thing to avoid continuity errors. However, this should take an hour or less and could be filmed in a free period. Although, this means we would lose time on the editing practice, and this could be counter-productive. We aim to resolve this problem by the next lesson (Monday, 25/01/2010).

I feel that I have learned a number of things about filming: that it takes a large amount of time to film one scene, particularly if you have to re shoot; group communication is essential in making the filming quicker and more efficient; casting is incredibly important if you want your shooting to work well and more planning is definitely needed if you have the knowledge that there may be a problem, such as an absense.

I hope that what I have learned from this preliminary task planning and filming can be used to avoid such errors in the main task.

Friday, 22/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Planning

(The initial mind map)

(The 'hospital theme' mindmap, including possible dialogue, mise en scene, camera shots and sound)

Thursday, 21/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Planning

Today, Andrew and I discussed possible sound that could be incorporated within our preliminary task, including possible incidental music tracks which could be used for the final scene. However, we are, as of yet, not sure about the copyrighting rules, therefore no music may be played.
We also discussed possible camera angles and movements to end the preliminary task with in order to achieve the best possible effect and practice different techniques to use during the main task filming.

Tomorrow (Friday, 22/01/2010), we aim to complete the filming of the entire task within the 2 hour double period:

First hour: find a definite location, arrange a set, prepare a script, make sure the video camera battery is charged and also adjust the settings on the camera. We should also film the shots in which Andrew is not present (as during this hour he is in an exam).

Second hour: shoot all necessary remaining scenes, including a variety of camera angles and movement. Also, record ambient sounds in order to use during the editing stage.

Monday, 18/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Planning

Today, we watched a video describing and explaining how to execute a successful shot-reverse-shot, including which shots are best to use and when to use them, and also about the 180 degree rule.

We then storyboarded our idea from our mind maps, including appropriate camera angles & movements, sound & dialogue and timings. This was incorporated with appropriate annotations of the shots to ensure clear understanding. We also discussed continuity errors that may occur, possible appropriate locations and problems that we may encounter during the filming due to absences.

Next lesson (Friday, 22/01/2010), we aim to have all the filming completed by period 5, including all shots filmed from different angles and the recording of ambient sounds to play over some of the shots. This may pose a difficulty as one of the group members are away during period 4, however we intend to deal with this problem as best as possible.

Friday, 15/01/2010 - Preliminary Task Planning

Today, we began planning our preliminary task, including mind-mapping in order to get down various ideas that we had. We eventually decided on a hospital theme, with two characters, including one nurse and one person, whose relative had passed away.

This mind map included possible misé en scene, camera angles & movement, sound (including dialogue) and locations.

Next lesson (Monday, 18/01/2010), we aim to have storyboarded our ideas, complete with definite locations, dialogue and camera angles & movement, and be ready to film by the following lesson.

(Side note: This post was posted after the initial lesson due to technical issues)