Preliminary Evaluation

In groups (ours was 5 people); we had to create a short film that was at least thirty seconds long. In the group
we had to think of an idea that could be created with the resources available. As a group we decided that were
going to do a late for school theme due to it being a recognisable film for the RAM awards and most students
have experienced this is in their lives even if it wasn’t their fault. After that we were given a week to record
clips for the short film. We filmed many clips from the front of the school gates to the front of the reception.
After that we had to trim the clips down and edit them into smaller clips, we also put the song ‘Darude
Sandstorm’ track over the clips to emphasise that the students were running to school. We used this song
because it has a fast beat and has a high intensity which emphasises them trying to get to school quick.

The reason that our group picked the idea of the running late to school is because the theme can be relatable
to the majority of students and means they get a preferred reading from the theme of it. The short film would
have been more recognisable to them as they are bound to have this problem during their time at school. Also,
it can be recognised with adults as they can make the same mistake as students e.g., being late to work which
is very similar to school. This video will be put onto our coursework and assessed.

From recording the short film, I have learnt more cinematography techniques and different camera shots. Also,
from the previous unit, I have learnt how to use a storyboard properly to help direct the film. Additionally, I
learnt different editing techniques that will help my projects in the later stages of the film such as getting the
song to fade out when there was speech and getting it to fade back in when the speech stopped. As a group
we learnt how to render, trim and put non-diegetic sound over the clips. This editing helped us to emphasize
the story that we were trying to portray.

In the short film that we record I recorded all the footage and designed the storyboard for the short film. For
the majority of the filming process I had control in directing the clips; however as a group we all took in
consideration everyone’s ideas for the film. In conclusion we found that I had the most experience with a
camera, so I was given the job of filming the footage. Also in the group I helped edit the clips to and helped
pick the music to go with the clip. The reason that I done this was I had made a storyboard that had the base of
what the final look was supposed to look like.

If we were to change the video in anyway, I hope that we were to stick to the first idea instead of trying to
think of other ideas that we were not able to complete. The reasoning for this is that we rushed the ending
and did not get time to finish the last clip before editing. I would also change the start to make the story more
understandable. Also I would like to add different editing techniques to the film as most of the clips are basic
trimmed clips with dialogue and music behind them so next time we can hopefully add some more advanced
editing techniques.

The genre of the trailer that we created is a comedy drama. We tried to follow similar storylines from previous
sitcoms such as ‘The Inbetweeners.’ I think that the idea that we came up with links into the theme. Also, the
actors that we choose have a great sense of humour due to their energetic and positive personality.