Preliminary task & Evaluation (Anderson)

We were given a Preliminary task as a small group, the task was to create a short clip. The clip had to display our filming and continuity editing skills we have. In this we had to display three key aspects of continuity editing . Shot-reverse-shot, match on action and the 180 degree rule. These key features allow you to make continuity editing successful and smooth. Continuity editing is created in a chronological way to create a sense of realism. The main purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over the inherent discontinuity of the editing process and to create a logical coherence between shots. To compliment, within our short video we had to also include a consisting of two or more lines, a character passing through a door, finally a shot of a character walking.


Our Preliminary task contained all four sets of actions which were :
1) Exchanging two sentences of conversation.
2) Walking across a room.
3) Opening a door. 
4) Sitting down.

Evaluation

Pre-Production:

• We did not have a lot of time to plan; only 30 minutes.
• We only had time to write a script and not enough time to draw up a storyboard

Production:

• Our production process involved finding a setting.
• We decided to film our task in many locations such as a hallway, outside and where we had a lot of space to set up the camera and use many different angles.
• We found props such as a table, chairs and a box of pin pong balls.
• We used shot reverse shot to add a sense of continuity.
• As a group, we made sure that we included the features that the task required. Post-Production:
• We imported all the different scenes into Final Cut Pro.
• We then started to piece together all the different scenes using match on action, which added to our continuity editing.
• It was during the post-production stage when we noticed that the speech in our scenes echoed around the room and because of this, we had to detach the audio line from the visual line and raise the volume of the speech.
• we added visual and sound effects such as the police lights and police sirens to add some suspense

Post-Production:

• We imported all the different scenes into Final Cut Pro.
• We then started to piece together all the different scenes using match on action, which added to our continuity editing.
• It was during the post-production stage when we noticed that the speech in our scenes echoed around the room and because of this, we had to detach the audio line from the visual line and raise the volume of the speech.
• we added visual and sound effects such as the police lights and police sirens to add some suspense

Shot reverse shot:

This technique was used to capture both reactions of the people which makes the narrative more clear as we can witness their emotions and reactions based on what the previous person had said. it allows us to see both sides of the conversation and makes the audience feel like they are part of the conversation. These shots were filmed twice and merged into one with editing.

Match on action:

Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing technique that is used in continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot portraying the action of the subject in the first shot. This technique distracts the audience of the rather evident cut, by masking the cut and instead makes look continuous (hence continuity editing). This technique adds a sense verisimilitude due to its continuity and seamlessness. At four seconds the main actor Vince is entering the door and appears on the other side finishing of the action of opening the door. This allows the video to flow, while not being intruded by the “un-continuity” of the unedited footage from prior to the end of post-production. This technique allows us to connect two different views of the same action at the same moment in the movement. This is done by editing the footage carefully together.

180 degree rule: 

The 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. The rule states that the camera or cameras should remain the same side of an imaginary line. The rule is introduced during an establishing shot of the characters. If the camera crosses the line at any point, it will create a confusing and uncomforted feeling for the audience because it makes it look like the people are switching positions in the screen, which is unrealistic.

Improvements after evaluating our Preliminary task:
- Perhaps have a longer time in each stage of the production process.              
- Have the ability to go out of school to other locations.              
- Shoot more shots so that when editing we have more choice in order to pick the shot we want.