Q7: Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have

learnt in the progression from it to full product?

Introduction: Benefits of having a draft and how the preliminary task was useful when filming

To have a draft first meant we could improve the real product when filming, editing and using sound effects. Our first draft of Vanity wasn’t very good due to the poor lighting in which the camera couldn’t pick up anything in the shots. Props and the film camera got in the shots therefore we had to improve these things when it came to the final piece. Furthermore, we used these drawbacks to our benefit and used a different camera in a different location with better lighting.

Preliminary Task compared to our final piecePreliminary Task

Shooting:When it came to shooting it was more a matter of thinking of the shots when it came to filming. The planning was very vague and even though we had some shot types, we didn’t plan it very well or follow the sheet at all times. Therefore when it came to filming we spent quite a lot of time trying to get the right kind of shot and angle. As we filmed different parts of the task, we developed our planning and became easier to film because we had those detailed plans. The last shots of the task were done very quickly as a result of having the detailed plan and were actually better than the first couple of shots.Sound:The sound used in the preliminary task was mainly diegetic because there was a lot of dialogue in it. I found it easier just to say the script instead of miming it and using sound over the top as I haven’t had much experience in the editing software therefore the outcome would be better.Editing:The editing software (iMovie) was a new software to me. The preliminary task was the first editing I did on the software although iMovie was a simple software so I understood it quick so when it came to editing for Vanity I was perfectly fine

Vanity:Shooting:When we planned to film Vanity we looked into the story very well and researched well into the paranormal sub-genre. We used an A3 sheet of paper and drew the different scene’s along with the shot and angle type. This overall gave us a clear understanding when it came to filming as we followed the sheet and called out the shot number and take after every shot which is very professional because it kept us organised. Sound:Different from the preliminary task, we used a lot of non-diegetic sound and minimal diegetic dialogue. This was because we wanted to create a sense of isolation when Denise (main character) is exploring the attic, backed up by creepy music. Back when the preliminary task was filmed, there was a lot of dialogue involved therefore minimal non-diegetic music was required, whereas our opening is a horror so we needed to do the opposite. When it came to sound editing, I became more used to iMovie therefore I had a better understanding of how to do it. I learnt how to split, speed up, speed down, distort a sound clip which became useful when editing Vanity because I didn’t know this when I was editing the preliminary taskEditing:After I edited the preliminary task, I became more comfortable with the software. I used online tutorials on YouTube to show me how to do certain things which aided my editing skills.

Planning of shot types:

Preliminary Task Vanity planning:

Our story board for the preliminary task compared to Vanity was very vague. We didn’t follow it very well because we didn’t plan it well. We didn’t include the shot type and angle which made it difficult when actually going to shoot our clip. Whereas with the planning of Vanity we made a detailed shot list alongside a story board with the shots, angles, pictures and shot number included which made us very organised when it came to shooting. Furthermore, the end result of Vanity came out a lot better than our preliminary task because of this reason.

Planning of Vanity:

The research and planning we undertook into Vanity was very detailed, we researched into location shots, casting and wardrobe decisions, created a logline, audience feedback and more allowed us to have a better understanding and knowledge of what our film was really going to be about when it came to shooting. On the other hand, the preliminary task planning was very vague and not much thought and time had gone into it…

Preliminary Task shots:

No non-diegetic music included in this section therefore due to the silence you can hear the camera running

Poor planning resulted in the film shots being very poor and unprofessional, this is an example of a close-up or even an extreme close-up which isn't very good because the camera isn't positioned very well.

We tried to include a variety of camera shots and angles which were built up upon at the time which overall made them quite poor. Although some aspects made the task look quite professional shown in this is case where the 360 degree rule has been used effectively.

Editing and fonts:During the production of the Vanity opening I acquired a variety of skills by learning from my mistakes. Post preliminary I got to grips with the editing software, iMovie which was actually a very simplistic software once I got to grips with it. For example I used my skills to edit the speed, transition, colour and style of font when it entered the screen. As the software was very limited, I used my initiative when it came to the editing of Vanity to slow down the appearance of text on the screen as iMovie didn’t have an option to do this I had to save the entry of text as a clip and then slow down the actual clip resulting in the transition of text slowing down and giving it a greater effect. The use of iMovie had very restricted fonts and transitions although we found one which suited our opening very well. As I didn’t use any text in the preliminary task I thought I should and try to use a unique source such as dafont. In the end I didn’t use fonts from dafont because it was very confusing to do it and I found a font which was suitable for our opening already on the system.The editing of the preliminary task was very focused on the element of joining all of the clips together so they are smooth and run together well, whereas in Vanity I did this but also explored into other aspects such as video filters such as ‘Dreamy’ to show a flashback and the speed up and slow down of clips to create an effect such as the blood flashing on the screen in reverse and flashes.