Looking back at your preliminary

task, what do you feel you have

learnt in the progression from this
to the full task?
What was the preliminary task?
A task that demonstrated simple
skills such as:

• Match on match action

• Shot/reverse shot

• 180-degree rule
These were all initial simple skills
that we learnt to build confidence
to implement further technical
skills and micro elements for
greater effect and to use them to
create a bigger macro meaning.
So what have I leant since the
production of the preliminary task?
I have learnt to direct
and control my actors.    
Within the preliminary task it was
difficult to direct as it was just a
short dialogue scene. Not much
direction was needed apart from a
sole focus point to the task.
This is different to my main task
where I had to script and
storyboard all the scenes so that
my characters could have the
subtle qualities to portray a much
larger macro meaning.
Like within these shots…
The character only makes subtle
shuffles and movements, but these
show her unease and the edge she
has, displaying how she is
uncomfortable with the situation.
This had to be clearly scripted to her
so she knew exactly how to create
this macro meaning through her
movements.
I have also learnt how to
control continuity errors.
Although there were no major
continuity errors within my preliminary
task, I had to take many reshoots of the
same scene.
So within my main task due to time
constrains, I wanted to have a minimal
amount of takes for each shot. To do
this I used two assisting directors to
help spot out any continuity errors
while I was in control of the camera.
This made the production method
easier and quicker, and reduced the
chance of continuity errors within my
final product.
One major method I have learnt
and developed since the
production of my preliminary task
is my editing skills.
When producing my preliminary
task, I used the avid editing
system. However on my final
task I chose to use Final Cut
Express. I decided to change
the editing system I used as
Final Cut was more accessible
to me meaning I could explore
the program with more time,
helping my master the skills
needed to create a professional
looking product.
So what new editing skills did I
learn since my preliminary task?
I learnt how to create professional
animated production titles in the Final
Cut extension program Live Type. This
was crucial to my task as not only is it
the first image my audience is shown, it
can be used to depict specific themes
and issues that I have implemented
within my film.
I also learnt how to use the effects
palette to create smooth
transitions between specific shots
and to fade in/fade out sound
where appropriate.
Specific to sound editing, I learnt how
to use rubber banding. This is where I
chose specific key frames and
created an ascending or descending
volume level. I also learned how to
edit the sound to make it clearer and
louder through the volume and bass
level controls.
Within my preliminary the choice of
shots were limited and were not
framed to create any major macro
meaning. The only shots displayed
and learnt were shot/ reverse shot
of close ups, a long shot and an
establishing shot.
Since this I have learned how to frame shots well to
include specific props and objects from the mise-en-
scene to help with the representation of identity and
to add to the greater macro meaning behind each of
the shots used. I have also learnt how to use other
camera elements such as focus-pulls, pans and tilts
and close ups/long shots to have a greater effect. I
used the two camera shots to create ambiguity as
either the character was too close to be understood
and seen properly or the characters were too distant
for them to be seen well. I used to focus pull to draw
attention to specific props that had an influence of
the identity of my characters and pans and tilts to
show power and control within the running shots of
the two teenage protagonists.
In Conclusion…
Finally in conclusion from the
progression from my preliminary I
have learnt and developed my skills in
directing, pre-production writing,
editing and use of mise-en-scene and
camera techniques all to help create
a much more focused meaning to my
product than the simplicity of my
preliminary task.