RESEARCHING + PLANNINGQ7. Looking back at the Prelim Task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

RESEARCH

In the Prelim, I did not research anything before filming. This is because I was given a small sheet of the scenario that was to be filmed which was only 2 sentences long. Therefore, I could tell that the footage I would be filming would be very short.

Before filming the opening of 2Lives, a lot of research was taken into coming up with the idea for the opening. This was done in great detail as there was a lot of time, thus, the use of more resources.

The internet was a great help for research as I was able to go on YouTube and look at different film openings along with typical forms and conventions which would have then inspired me to make my own

I also learnt how to present my research in different ways through the various programs I would be able to use such as Prezi or Timetoast.

EVIDENCE RESEARCH

PLANNING

We did our planning for our film in great detail compared to the Prelim task.

I've learnt how to use more programs such as Creative Commons to find Copy right music and be able to add sound effects to Final Cut Pro which I didn't know before when doing the Prelim task.

In the Prelim and the Teen Film Opening, I've used a storyboard for both so I would know what shot would be filmed. The only difference is that the Teen Film Opening was more detailed and included things like timing and editing as well.

Therefore, I already knew how essential it was for a storyboard to be needed before filming. But from the Teen Opening, I learnt it is better to give in depth and give as much detail as possible in terms of camera shots, timing, movement, editing and sound to make it easier and clearer for us when filming.

PLANNING EVIDENCE

As we were only filming one scene in the Prelim, we created a Pitch for our Teen Film Opening as we had to think more about what we wanted to do and how we wanted to achieve this.

FILMING

Since I was the one acting, I didn't do any filming. But when filming the Teen Opening, I participated a lot and also developed my camera skills from the Prelim.

Some of our shots in the Prelim was shaky because we didn’t know how to put the camera in the tripod. Now I learnt how to do this and also put the camcorder in and fig rig, I learnt the settings of the camera, so the difference between Auto and Manual.

The lighting was more better in the Prelim than it was in our teen opening as we had to reshoot some of the opening due to bad light.

I still haven't mastered how to attach the top light onto the camcorder.

The Mis en scene was quite limited in the Prelim, as all there was is a scene of the outside and inside of the classroom.

Also, we used as much props as possible in the teen opening because in the Prelim all there was, was a chair and desk. Therefore, I decided to develop this in my opening and use more shots, so different park of the house and the streets.

The only sound used in the Prelim is dialogue. In my teen opening, sound throughout the whole thing. This showed progress as the sound made it look more like a clip from a film as the dialogues used in the Prelim didn’t make it look realistic. I also developed my knowledge in sound, as I used particular music for particular scenes to indicate that this is a Muslim film. (Video for evidence in different file)

Also I learnt how to add on sound effects which I used when the character closed the door in our opening to enhance the sound and create an impact. Whereas in the Prelim, you could only see the character closing the door but you couldn’t hear it.

CONTINUED:

FILMING

In the Prelim, we experimented with different shots. Using Low angle, mid shot, match on cut action, high angle, wide shot and close up.

But I developed this more in the Teen Opening by using camera movement such as tilting and panning. (Powtoon for evidence)

I was also able to apply the 180 degree rule in the end of our opening when the character’s meet each other.

EVIDENCE FOR FILMING:

FINAL CUT PRO

As I wasn't the one who was doing the editing, all I knew from the Prelim in Final Cut Pro was Input and Output.

After doing the teen opening, I've progressed so much as I know how to add effects, transitions, text, blend in music etc. Also I know how to export the file after finishing it using Quick Time Conversion.

Plus, I learnt how to use Audio Convertor to change the format of the song to a correct one which matches the format used in Final Cut Pro.