In this particular unit we were set the task to create a 2 minute Me-Video. We had the time span of 2 weeks to complete the filming and the editing of the set work. It then needed to be uploaded on to YouTube by Friday 18th. Throughout the time we had been given I was able to expand my camera and editing skills which will definitely become beneficial in the future.
For pre production I had created a shooting script which was a structure to how I would want my video to look like when completed. Without a shooting script it would of been hard to balance out the amount of time needed on the actual shooting process and the editing task. The shooting script told me exactly what to do and how it was meant to be done. It had given me strict guidelines on what I had to film during lesson and out of school. The planning of the script also helped as I didn't waste time thinking on what the next thing to do. The script had helped me think about the types of shots, locations, dialogue, the duration of the shot and possible music used. I would definitely use a shooting script again for future productions and tasks, although it was time consuming to create one it was still very helpful and worth the time and effort gone into creating it. Here is a screen shot of the shooting script below.
Whilst filming my Me-Vid I had decided to play around and use more of a variety with the amount of shot types and different locations I had used. By using different locations, it made the video more interesting rather than staying in one place throughout the whole duration of the video. I had also used a green screen for the first time whilst in the making of my production. It wasn't difficult to get the hang of at all, the purpose of the green screen was to make it seem I was in a place where I wasn't able to film in the time space we were given. My green screen image was the CN tower in Toronto because it was a holiday I had really enjoyed. I had originally filmed in front of a green screen, (image below) and then when it came to the editing stage I had inserted a picture of the CN tower. When filming I had to make sure that I had enough footage before and after the dialogue I wanted in my shot. This made the editing stage much more easier for myself as it had given me a chance to cut and fit particular shots together which enabled the video to flow better. I made sure of this because in a previous task set I didn't make enough time before and after shots making the editing process difficult.
During post-production I was able to use the programme iMovie. iMovie was a great programme to use whilst editing as I have previously used the software before. I was used to the tools and effects the programme had to offer. Editing was fortunately straight forward and I was able to dive straight into it and make it the best I can. However a new tool I had to learn and use was the inserting of the green screen image and footage. It was much more easier than I thought. I would definitely use green screen in the future as it was a good technique to use to not only make the video more exciting but interesting
too. Here is a image in the middle of the editing process.
The skills I have learnt throughout the pre production and the production throughout the making Me-Vid will definitely be used for future preferences and other productions such as the music video. Our music video will need more angles, locations, scenes so this project was a really good way to help us understand the pressure, time span and effort needed to create a really good piece. As i have gotten used to the software, iMovie I am confident that I will be able to use it again when editing the music video. Using techniques such as the green screen will also be used in the music video, so I am glad that I know how to use and insert it in the video.
In my Continuity editing exercise i had to incorporate
- The 180 degree rule.
-The rule of thirds.
-Match on action
-Shot reverse shot.
I used the 180 degree rule throughout the entire sequence which made all of the shots consistent as they were all from the same point of view. This rule makes sure that the audience are not confused whilst watching the piece. When it came to the editing stage I noticed that the 180 degree rule was unfortunately broken. It became too late to re-do any shots however we were able to flip the shots during the editing workshop. One of the main shots that I used where you can clearly see were the rule has been used is when I first come face to face with the bad guy, my reaction shot is on the same side of when he says "sit down". Here is an example shown below.
As you can see all of the shots made here are all on the same side so there is less confusion to the audience.
We used match on action in my piece to make it consistent. A moment were you see this rule is when I open the door to enter room 67 and close the door behind me. You first see my hand on the door handle and then you see me entering the room in the next shot. This rule is hard to master as you need to be specific on when and were they are opening the door so it seems as if there is 2 cameras filming when in reality there is only one. We successfully used match on action in our piece, here are some examples below.
The opening of the door going into the room is were Match on action was used the best.
Another technique we had used was a Shot Reverse Shot. A moment were this rule was used is when both characters are having a conversation. This particular shot has to go from one character to the other character talking back at the first character. the dialouge used in this scene was when I say "What do you want from me?!" which is then replied with "you made me suffer, now its your turn!" Here is the example shown below.
Shot reverse shot shown here as it transitions from one character to the other whilst in conversation.
A final technique I had to incorporate was the Rule of Thirds. In the beginning of my sequence, I had to run through the upper school playground, when coming closer to the camera my group had to ensure I was in line roughly with the second line on the right hand side on the rule of thirds grid. This enabled a leveled and good action shot. Here are some examples below.
When filming The Encounter, me and my group came to quite a few difficulties. One challenge we had to overcome was the keeping up with continuity which meant I had to wear the same clothing through all sessions of filming. Unfortunately one of the days we had to film my clothing was not correct which meant that we had to film specific shots that i was not in. This meant that we had less time to shoot more footage. However instead of thinking this mistake as a step back we took it as a learning curb for future references to stop it from happening again. Another difficulty faced was the location on a few of the shots, we originally wanted the location to be quite dark to bring a scary atmosphere to the scene, however we had to make sure the characters facial expressions and reaction shots were clear enough. We tried to adjust the lighting as much as possible to enable us to see the full concept of the shot without taking away the scary atmosphere we had intended on. When it had come to the editing stage I had noticed that we had made some silly mistakes during pre production. One mistake would be when opening the door, I had first opened the right door but when it come to actually running into the room the left door had been opened behind me instead. I had realized that this would confuse the audience and would ruin the whole continuity of the production. To overcome this issue I had edited it in a way were the shot only stops with both hands on each door handle so the audience wouldn't be aware at that particular moment on which door will be opened until the next shot when I am running towards the stairs. Another challenge I had to
overcome was that I was not familiar with the editing software we were
allocated to use. This made editing more difficult and took longer than what it
could have been. If I was to edit again I would get familiar with the software
before the production began.
A strength of my piece was that i was fortunate enough to have two members in my group who were hard working and were efficient with there deadlines, this meant that as a group we worked well together when against time and under pressure, however all three of us were new to media which meant that we were all apprehensive as we hadn't had any experience with a camera before. Nevertheless we still came together and attempted well to make a great piece. We all agreed on making the scenario interesting instead of it being basic with just the four rules, this brought a great deal of entertainment which made us enjoy creating the sequence much more. Another strength of our piece would be the use of the storyboard. This was a great guideline for us as it helped us when knowing the location of filming, the dialogue, camera angle, costume, and the lighting. Without the storyboard we would we wasting valuable recording time which would bring more pressure into completing the final piece.
A weakness to my production would be the precision of some of the shots made. When it came to filming as i hadn't used a camera before i was unfamiliar with it so it took some time to get used to the camera. Getting the right angle and height of the camera was also difficult, as that also took some time to get the camera in the right place. Also when it came to the final product there were some things i would of wanted the change, for example in the scene where the bad guy is talking to me i would of wanted to use artificial lighting which would of made adjusting lighting much more easier which meant seeing the characters facial expressions much clearer.
Overall, if i was to do this project again i would of filmed with as much artificial lighting as possible. This would also help the continuity of the sequence flow much more better also making the shots much mire clearer for the audience to see what is going on. Also i would get more familiar with the editing software so i would be able to use it more efficiently for future references. I would also triple check all my shots as we had originally broke the 180 degree rule to ensure that the rule will again not be broken in future tasks.
