Question 7

The preliminary task was set so my group would get used to working together and also to introduce me to the different technologies I would be using and some basic camera shots. I was tasked with recording a simple conversation and it had to include some basic camera shots like a long shot and a closeup. I filmed me and my group member Charlie exiting a building and walking up the bench where I was sat. We had a short conversation about football and then I filmed him leaving. The preliminary task was where my group learned how to operate the camera and the tripod as well as how to chop and arrange clips in Final Cut Pro X. It helped a lot as it meant when we started filming the actual sequence we never had to waste time figuring out how to use the equipment as we were already comfortable with it. I was them able to import what I had filmed into Final Cut Pro without any issues. Since doing the preliminary task I had become much more comfortable with using Final Cut Pro, the camera and the tripod and I also learned some slightly more advanced editing techniques. I also learned how I could use the Final Cut software to adjust the brightness of some scenes in order to fix some lighting issues.

The knowledge acquired during the preliminary task made the filming process go much smoother than it would have otherwise. It helped with my thriller since I was comfortable using the equipment it was much easier to get things filmed on schedule. We'd spent time learning about shots and angles and editing styles but the preliminary task is when I first saw them in action and how they work. This experience meant that when we started the main task I already knew how to use the equipment. Examples of how the knowledge I acquired during the preliminary task improved the production of my film can be seen throughout. Unlike the preliminary task I made sure that when filming my thriller sequence that were no unwanted disturbances or distractions that could shift the audience's focus away from the plot of my film. The footage recorded is also much smoother as I was better at using the camera. When the time came for me to start editing I was quickly able to get rid of the outtakes and wrongly recorded footage leaving only what I needed to piece together my sequence. I was then able use the slice tool to help me cut and arrange the clips in the right order to create the rough draft for my thriller sequence which I then analysed and had had my peers review for possible improvements.