Dylan's Preliminary Task Evaluation

The purpose of our preliminary task was to see if we were able to apply continuity editing to our clips. We achieved this by using the 180 degree rule and shot reverse shot to make sure we did not confuse the audience. When filming there is an unwritten rule of where the camera should be positioned in order for a film to have verisimilitude.

Although it took a series of takes in order for us to get it right, I believe we worked efficiently with our time limit. There were a few mistakes at the start of the clip which we were unable to change in the time we had, such as the low key lighting in the hallway due to the aperture of our camera being on a low setting. Another issue we identified was that when we first entered the room there was no light, so we showed Patson entering a dark room which then appear illuminated on the inside as we had opened the blinds.

This is an example of a 'shot reverse shot' (over the shoulder shot). A shot typically used whilst filming conversations. We also used the 180 degree rule whereby the two characters were faced directly opposite each other. Throughout the scene we used continuity editing effectively to create one continuous motion. We did this through filming each shot around three times from different angles to make it more aesthetically pleasing for any viewer.

In our preliminary task we demonstrated our use of match on action by creating a scene whereby the character walked towards a door, opened the door and appeared on the other side as though it was one swift movement by filming separate shots and then cutting them after using final cut pro to create verisimilitude (make it appear as though it was natural and filmed in one take). Although the concept is simple, it involved a variety of different camera angles and editing techniques which will help us when it comes to creating our actual thriller opening.