Primliminary Task Evaluation

While filming the preliminary task my group filmed the scene in the media classroom: NO4 and the blonde lights were set up so that we had a specific lighting that we had to adjust the camera to. In order to do this, we made sure that the screen was white balanced by zooming into a white piece of paper underneath the light being used, and pressing the correct button, once pressed the flower on the screen will begin to flash and a number will then come up. You must change the white balance every time you change the location and depending on the intensity of the light. The classroom was a good location as it meant that we had the door, props and correct lighting for how we wanted to portray the scene.

 

I took the role of the camera person and therefore tried to vary the levels and types of shots I used to make a bigger impact on the scene itself. Moreover, I also had to make sure that the camera was securely fastened on the tripod and that it had been bubbled. As the director, Daniella took control of saying "STANDBY, ACTION and CUT" and this gave the actors an indication as to when to begin the particular scene.

 

The scene was:
  

 

 

We started off by filming the entire scene in a wide shot and in order to make sure that we had enough time between each shot when we begin to edit the scene. Additionally, it was vital that "A" made sure to walk in through the door and walk out every time we filmed the scene because it allowed the sound of the door and her footsteps to be heard within the camera. We had "A" stand up with character "B" sitting down so that it represented her higher status and that she is the more dominant character. This was emphasised when we did the over the shoulder shot behind "B" and I placed the camera so that it emphasises that she is looking up at "A", which was also evident when we filmed another over the shoulder shot from behind "A" and we raised the level of the tripod so that it suggested her being taller and looking down on character "B". Then, in order to gain some variation with the shots and their angles, we decided to do an extreme close up of "B"'s hands to show that she is nervous before "A" enters the room, thus, indicating that something is going to happen that she is scared about. Another key shot we took, to symbolise this was an extreme close up of "B"'s eyes. The shiftiness and nervousness that "B" portrays, foreshadows the rest of the scene. In relation to making "A" have the higher status by using the camera as a hand held and filming "A" walk into the room, stand there and walk out of the room again, from the floor. By looking up at "A" it creates the illusion that they have the most power in the room. In relation to filming her walking in to emphasise her power, we used a hand held tracking shot while filming her walking. This is a common shot that is used within movies and TV shows in order to create suspense and tension. An example of this is within the Devel Wears Prada and there is a close up, tracking shot of Meryl Streep's shoes as she is walking down the hallway to indicate that she is the dominant character. When filming the tracking shot from the floor, I had to be aware of the blonde lights and so Tom set up the positions as to where everyone should stand in order to allow it to be shot smoothly. Another time we used the hand held camera was when we filmed "B"'s feet to indicate her change in position when "A" enters, in having the close up of the feet the audience can visibly see her tapping nervously before "B" enters while having her cross her legs when she is speaking to her. In my opinion this was a very successful shot as it allowed the subject of the scene to be evident through her body language.

 

Then, we changed the location of our filming, to show "A" walking towards the room angrily. By changing to outside we had to change the white balance and adjust the settings so that the camera was adjusted to the change in atmosphere and lighting. There was a door at the end of the corridor and within the door there was a flight of stairs, in order to make the scene more realistic and engaging, we had "A" walk up the stairs, out of the door and into the media classroom. While filming this particular shot, we decided to use the tripod because it meant that it was stable and in a fixed position rather than using a handheld which would have changed the atmosphere and objection of the scene.

 

When filming, we had to continuously be aware of the 180 degree rule because if we broke it than it would mean that the person whom I am filming at that time, would suddenly appear in a different position than they were before and this could confuse the audience. In my opinion, the preliminary task went really well and I personally really enjoyed myself being in control of the camera. Although, there were certain shots that we had to re-shoot because of silly errors, an example being I accidently stopped recording before "A" had left and so that was my mistake, but overall I felt that Tom, Daniella and I worked well as a team and therefore there were a lot more good shots than bad.