Question 7 (Evaluation)

An example of Shot Reverse Shot.

An example of a 180 degree rule.

During the preliminary task, the editing process was much more easier and faster than the final media product my group had completed  This was because, in the preliminary task we had to use three rules: having a match cut, 180 degree rule and a shot reverse shot. We filmed a clip to convey all these rules, it seemed pretty difficult to master at first. This is because we needed to make the match cuts smooth and realistic  which proved to be tricky. However we did pull through in the end and completed the task.

The final product, 'Anonymous Attraction', I feel that we have used all three rules and took into account our preliminary task whilst planning our thriller opening. The filming was much easier, considering the 180 degree rule, we knew what was happening and how to use the rule to our advantage. During one of Kaylins (Doan) scenes, in her bedroom we did discuss the 180 degrees rule, and we decided to stay on Kaylins left hand side so that the match cuts look continuous and realistic.

The storyboard, has progressed from our prelim to our final media product. In our prelim, we didn't really know how to use a digital storyboard because it was our first time using it. However, this task was really useful because it allowed us to take still images of what we will be doing, post-production on another day when we had the time to film. So, therefore the storyboard helped us plan out what we will do and it gives us all a clear idea of whats going on and whats happening.

 

Furthermore, relating this our recent story board of Anonymous Attraction, we felt more confident this time around. Our storyboard was precise, and we followed the story board as we filmed. However  we did change our ideas during the filming  so that it made the film more unique. All of our contribution to adding in ideas was substantial, and significant because everyone was heard and our efforts, did pay off in the end.


In our Pre-production, we aimed to use the match cuts and 180 degrees rule accurately  and by doing so we had a general knowledge of what both of these terms actually mean, and how they are used. This is a video we watched, to get a general idea of what the 180 degrees rule was. This allowed us to visualize how we are going to implement the rule into our prelim. Throughout our planning of the prelim, as well as filming of it, we constantly thought about this rule. As well as the match cuts, and shot reverse shots which was also fundamental to the task set, using all these requirements we did produce a prelim in a short amount of time.

The prelim, didn't go so well whilst editing because we either didn't get enough of a shot, for example where Augusto was bullying Minh, the movements were too quick and whilst editing on Final Cut Pro we struggled to fit everything together. Also, we didn't exactly have a list of props as it was just on the spot so we wasn't prepared for the prelim in terms of costume. However, comparing this case to our media product, costume was fundamental to our thriller because it was the mise en scene that allowed the audience to differentiate the ages of Kaylin and Damien. The costume was absolutely crucial, and we was full prepared in contrast to our prelim. We have learned that, every aspect of mise en scene such as lighting, or costume was all significant to the final product. These aspects, was important because if there was different costumes for different scenes it wouldn't look continuous or realistic, it would've just looked like a really low budgeted film.

 The location, wasn't much of a problem because we did find a house to film and and it was safe, therefore the risks of camera theft was unlikely. The location, was good and mostly important to our thriller because it conveyed who Kaylin was and where she lived. The area she lives in, is an estate area which conveys her background of being in an urban city and it also portrays the danger that could possibly be lurking around the corner. In addition, the lighting of Kaylins scenes, had to me adjusted using a rotatable switch, therefore it wasn't too dark nor too light. We didn't use any lighting equipment as it was not needed, so we used natural lighting and the room lighting itself.

The production, went well as we had planned out what days we was going to film. Due to two people unable to attend and film for a week, it set us back in the editing as well as the filming. However, we did pull together as a team, and worked out a plan for when we can film and edit. We was mostly confident with the camera angles and shots, because we have had previous experiences through the prelim for example. We used a variety of shots, such as long shot for when Kaylin walks into the scene, this shot indicates her whereabouts and her background. Another example of a shot we used was close ups of props such as the laptop, as Damien clicks 'Enter' on the keyboard, it emphasis the end of the opening scene, and creates a cliffhanger. This cliffhanger, immediately persuades the audience to keep on watching because, the audience could be keen to see what happens after.

Overall, the post-production took loner than expected. It took mass amounts of time to edit the media product, as well as finding the right sound for it. We worked till the final second, and I believe our hard work has paid off. The editing, at the start was slow because we was choosing what scenes to go where, and if we needed to re-shoot any. We had to re-shoot one of Kaylins scenes again, on another day alongside Damiens scenes in the kitchen. This was a long process, however we worked together to build up an amazing thriller together. We only used dialogue for the prelim, sound was not added because we didn't have the time to do it. The dialogue wasn't tip top, because it didn't sound continuous  however in our final media product we did add sound effects. The differentiation between the prelim and our media product, was that we didn't use any dialogue for Anonymous Attraction. This is because, we wanted to create an opening scene where the audience has to watch and listen in order to understand what is happening. Dialogue, at the start wouldn't suit our thriller because we didn't need to use it.

The titles used in our media product, was thoroughly thought through, as well as being one of our unique selling points. The social media logos presented through the titles, was a great and unique way of getting across to the audience that our thriller is based around social media. In contrast to our prelim, we did not have any titles as it was not needed, and we didn't really think about having titles on the prelim. Putting the titles on to our media product, wasn't so bad because all we had to do is Photoshop the logos, import it into final cut pro and place the logo in replace of a letter in the titles. This was really successful, choosing the place to put the titles was also crucial because we wanted to fill up any empty areas that didn't look balances. So we did, the balance of the titles and what is going on in the scene, looked fair.

During this experience i feel that my skills have developed tremendously through communication, leadership and teamwork as well as making new friends. Other than this, my skills for media has also developed as a whole, at the start of AS Media, I had no clue of what Media was and what it might have been about. However, as the weeks went by i learnt new aspects of Media, I never knew before. Editing on Final Cut Pro, and making sound on Sound Track Pro has become an asset to me, because I now know how to use both software's to my advantage. It has been a thrilling experience and It has been an incredible ride, I believe I have progressed not only in my computing skills, but also my descriptive writing. When we was planning for our thriller, we came up with a lot of ideas, however we decided to go with a thriller that contains social media. In this the end, I think that we chose a really good and unique film plot and I wouldn't change the plot if we had to do this all over again.

Here is the team, Doan (me), Augusto, Molly and Minh. I have learnt how to use a JVC camera, turning off and on; basically the basics of a technical camera. Also learning how to use programs such as Final Cut Pro was a great experience  because I do like to edit and It is actually fun. I think the most enjoyable experience  was working with my team members. Through out our whole team effort of producing a media product, I, personally enjoyed the company of the other three and I feel that we made a pretty good team overall. We had fun, and I learned a lot over the past few weeks, things such as how to import and export, render, add sound and all the editing elements. During the prelim  I learned the three rules that of filming, and understood the match cuts, shot revers shots and the 180 degrees rules. In contrast to creating a media product, my knowledge and skills for media has advanced significantly.