Preliminary task

Preliminary Task

My preliminary film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzebWgMWuH4 

The criteria of my preliminary task was to follow the 180 degree rule, use shot reverse shots, and use match on action editing. The 180 degree rule is where the camera does not cross an invisible line going straight through the scene. It is a rule that ensures that all the characters are facing the correct way rather than both characters facing the same way, which would create confusion amongst the audience. As shown by the examples, my film does follow the 180 degree rule. All of my shots are shown form this side of the action, always having the boy on the left and the girl on the right. In my film I also use match on action editing. This is where the camera cuts from one shot to another, but they are connected. For example a character walks through a door, but the camera doesn't show them walking through the door it twice, the camera cuts, and picks up again exactly where the character was the shot before hand. The final technique I had to use was shot reverse shot. This is where the camera cuts to show the characters faces as they are having a conversation.This is very common in films, as it is a very effective way to show a conversation between two people.This is more effective than just having a medium shot with both characters is the scene as it also shows facial expressions, and a backwards and forwards conversation. The shot doesn't always just show the person speaking, and sometimes to be the most effective shows the person, who's facial expression are the most important in the scene. The speed of the editing can also be altered depending on the pace of the conversation. For example is there is an argument between the 2 characters the editing will be quick. Straight after there is a cut the dialogue starts, and shows an interruption of the other character. This demonstrates the fast paced conversation between the 2 characters, and the conflict between them.

Star Wars extract shows an argumentative shot reverse shot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMeNIvH86L8

The Hunger Games extract shows a slower shot reverse shot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Ey0a6LJRA

These 2 extract both display shot reverse shots however, in very different ways. The Star Wars scene show the conflict between Princess Leia and Darth Vader. This shows the speed of editing as fast as there is dialogue straight after the cut which gives the impression that he is interrupting her and is very impatient.
The Hunger Games extract however, uses a slower paced cut where there is no interruptions between Peter and Katniss, as the editing allows the audience to see the character thinking before answering the other character. This scene therefore shows the characters in a more comforting, worried and less aggressive way, which makes the characters become portrayed as reasonable and less aggressive.

Story board:

This is my original story board that I made before I started filming. The general film has stayed the same throughout, however I did have to make some changes. For example I did decide to change the camera shots when the character walks through the door. Originally I was going to have the camera follow the character through the door. However I decided to change this as I was informed that the use of a cut and the use of a match on action would be more effective for the task that I have been set. It also doesn't look as good if you are filming with the back of one of the characters heads being shown. therefore decided it would be best if I were to change what I was doing, and go against my storyboard.

I did have difficulties whilst doing my preliminary task, as there were somethings that I didn't take into consideration. For example, half way through filming I realised that the door was open in some scenes and not others, as well as being able to see myself in the reflection of the window when filming the scene.
I also had to re-film some scenes as one of the actors picked up a pen half way through a scene, without him being filmed picking it up. I therefore had to film extra parts and show him picking up the pen, as well as making sure everything in the scene was exactly the same, including lighting, costume and props.
A mistake that I made when doing my preliminary task, and change that I would make if I was to do it again, would be have a wide, and long shot of the woman, as the first introduction to her, was through a shot reverse shot.
A second mistake that i made was that i broke the 30 degree rule. From one shot to the next in one cut there was a change in the cameras position of less than 30 degrees. This doesn't look very good, as the change is very slight and looks unprofessional, and could easily be changed.