Evaluation: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

My preliminary task film was done to simply show the use of continuity editing and the 180 degree rule, the techniques that are used heavily in conventional films. In it I used only simple camera shots such as mid-shots and close ups and shot transitions were only straight cuts. In my final product I feel as though I expanded on my use of these factors by for example using point-of-view shots , high angle/low angle shots, and long shots. Also in the preliminary, apart from one zoom, the camera was always static, whereas in my final film I used pans and tilts with ofcourse the movement of the POV shots aswell. With shot transitions I leant about new effects I could use such as sharper cuts between two contrasting shots, fade outs including the use of a white fade to represent a change in time. Ofcourse there were many types of shots and cuts that I have not used in my film but am still aware of.

Looking back on my preliminary, the lighting was an issue due to obvious unwanted inconsistencies. In my first film I made which I later scrapped, I agin did not address this issue as the lighting seemed very bright and stale in one room and too dark in the other. In my final film I attempted to resolve this by filming outside to create a much more natural and generally consistent lighting. I feel I achieved this in nearly every shot excpet one or two wjere cloud coverage made them slightly dimmer which I didn't notice whilst shooting. I also played around with the more abstract uses of light through one shot which is focused right at the sun as it comes through some trees which created a really nice effect I feel.

Another aspect was that in my preliminary I had a very direct approach that did not encompass much planning to shots, rather just film as we go along. By the experience through this and my scrapped film where there were many planning difficulties, I realised the importance of good planning. I did this by drawing a more detailed and thorough storyboard and making sure I had all my props I wuld need on set. This allowed me to film in a much more efficinet way and also a more relaxed environment.

In my preliminary task I felt I kept the continuity well, however I showed too much unnecessary action, such as walking from the door. In my final film I attempted to use match on action better, for example by showing the detective spit out his gum and show it landing, but not it travelling through the air.