Preliminary Evaluation

Overall Task
Within this task that I have been asked to complete, me and my group have created a short film
that is seen to include 8 different shots which is known to have a very clear genre i.e. action,
comedy, thriller etc. through our use of discussions we have had about our video we have
decided to go with the genre of Action. The reason why we have decided to use this genre it has
allowed us to create a lot of tension throughout the video, which has been helped by the use of
shots we have been able to use. For example, within this video, we have used a range of clips such
as an over the shoulder, low angle and a whip pan. Firstly, the use of an over the shoulder has
been used many times within our video. The over the shoulder has created a great amount of
tension and dominance towards one of the main characters which has caused the audience to
believe that the over character is very vulnerable and weak which is seen to overall objectify the
character. In addition to this, the use of a low angle has been used onto the weaker character.
This use of low angle ha now caused him to become a much stronger and dominant character
then he was at the beginning of the video. Overall, we can see that these uses of shots are seen to
fit into the genre of Action, as these shots are key for creating tension for the audience.

Throughout the short film that we have been able to create, we have been able to use the camera
very effectively, which has allowed us to create a high amount of tension and suspense. For
example, we know that the main character is seen to be represented as being very weak but then
turns out to be very dominant causing him to release his anger towards the other character. This
is where we have then used the camera very effectively to allow show how the character is
releasing his anger. To back this up, the use of an over the shoulder right at the end is seen to also
include a close up. This use of camera work has worked very effectively and has allowed us to
show the audience how the character has become more powerful and dominant which has been
helped by the use of body language. Overall as a group, we have been able to use the camera very
effectively because it has allowed our short film to fit into the genre of action and has allowed us
to show the audience the dominance between each character.

Purpose
As a group, we have decided to use a wide range of shots (8 shot sequence) which has allowed us
to portray different thoughts and feelings which are coming from the characters. Within our
short film, we can see that we have used around 8/9 different shorts all together such as a mid-
shot, low shot, over the shoulder, whip pan, long shot, close up, tracking shot, top shot and a tilt.
All these uses of shots are seen to create a high amount of tension and suspense for the
audience which allows our short film to fit into the genre of action. These uses of shots have
been very important for us as a group which has allowed our video to stand out. To show this,
we can see that we have used 3 over the shoulder shots throughout our short film. The
picture located onto the left is seen to be our best over the shoulder shot. The reason why we
have decided to use this use of an over the shoulder shot is because it has
represented the character as being very weak and scared whereas the
character behind is being represented as a very strong and dominant character.
This has helped us create tension for the audience as it has made them want to
know and understand why the character is following him and what he is going
to do.
In addition to this, we have used a range of Mid-shots and Low shots. Within the short film we
can see that the use of a low angle has been used when the character who is represented as
being weak wants to get revenge onto the other dominant and strong character. This use of Low
angle shot has been purposely used by us to allow the character to go against how he
was represented early within the short film allowing him to be represented as the more
strong and powerful character ready to get revenge. Overall this use of Low angle shot
has allowed the character to look much bigger and stronger.

This use of a short film we have created has been a very hard and difficult task to complete. The
reason for this is because we as a group needed to discuss and come up with an overall
storyboard which will help us have an understanding of what to include within our film. In
addition to this, we have needed to make sure that our overall film is seen to fit into a specific
genre and as you know, the genre that we have picked is Action. We have been able to design a
short film which is seen to suitable for the genre action. The reason for this is because we have
been able to choose and develop a range of shots such as over the shoulder, whip pan and many
more which has allowed us as a group to create tension and suspense for the audience which has
helped our short film fit in with the genre Action. Secondly, the use of an up-beat sound track has
been used within the background of the short film which has been purposely done to add ease for
the audience. Overall, within this short film we can see that we have been able to add a range of
camera shots and techniques which has allowed our short film to fit into the genre of Action.

Lastly, when finished all our filming, we have been able to download all our clips and have then
started to edit the short film allowing it to be the best it can be. This has been the first time that
as an individual that I have done editing for anything as has been a big struggle doing so. I have
been able to learn a range of techniques whilst doing editing which has allowed me to make our
group video the best it can be. For example, within our video we have been able to add a range of
techniques such as a fade in. This use of Fade is seen to be a very successful editing technique as
it has allowed the overall short film to create suspense and tension. If I didn’t use this type of
editing technique it would cause certain clips to look out of place and not in time with the
soundtrack (Non Diegetic sound).
Whilst editing, we have been able to find out that a few of our shots which are seen to be missed
balanced and on the wrong sides. For example, within our first and third clip, we can see that the
shot has been taken on opposite’s side which is seen to be very bad. The reason for this is
because you would be able to see all the equipment located on that side. This has allowed us to
understand where we have gone wrong which will help us with our overall short film. Secondly,
the uses of missed balanced shots are seen to make the overall short film not as good as it could
be. This can be helped and sorted out by the use of a stabiliser such as a Gimbal. As a group this
has allowed us to understand what we will need to do to improve our final short film.

Final short film

From doing this task, I have been able to find out a range of things that I have been able to do
successfully allowing the video to be the best it can be, but also seen to be a range of problems
within the short film which I will need to take into knowledge for the final short film.
For example, I will be making sure that all of my shots I am filming in a specific location are
filmed on the same side. The reason for this is because I will want to make sure we taken the 180
degree rotation into consideration because we will want to make sure that the audience can see
the same background allowing the clips to not be odd. In addition to this, it will allow us to not
show the use of equipment such as lighting etc within the shot as it will cause the audience to
seem very confused which will affect the video causing it to have a negative effect and will show
how the video is poorly produced.
I will also make sure that the use of background soundtrack goes and fits in with the genre I have
picked. The reason for this is because I will want to make sure that the overall soundtrack goes
with the short film because if not it will cause the audience to feel very confused. Picking a
suitable soundtrack will allow the soundtrack to fit with the connotations within that genre.
Lastly, the use of Unsteady Camera shots which we have used has caused our overall short film to
not be as good as it could have been. To allow this to not affect our overall short video, we will be
making sure that we use the use of an stabiliser such as a gimbal as it will allow our overall film
shorts to be very smooth and not unsteady which will help our overall editing on premiere pro to
be very simple.
Overall as a group we have been able to find out a range of advantages and disadvantages of our
short film which has allowed us to understand where we have gone wrong which will then help
us be successful within our filming next year for our final short film.