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Researched Thriller genre
At first we all had to research the Thriller genre through different mediums such as interenet research and watching films. This allowed us to begin forming ideas on the sorts of codes, conventions and themes typical of Thriller -
Prelim and working as a group
As well as filming techniques, we also had to learn how to work in a group. We had to delegate tasks and roles based on what suited everyone whilst taking into consideration what past experience each group member had. As everyone in my group had very little or no previous experience of filming and editing, we decided to divide the tasks up as evenly so that we could each see what we were best at. This meant we would know for our OTS -
Filming the Prelim
The preliminary exercise was an introduction to the concepts and practical apllications of continuity filming and editing. New concepts that we had to learn were the 180 degree rule (where you only film from the same side) match on action and shot reverse shot. Although I have filmed before these concepts had to be learnt from scratch and it was hard to understand them and how they look until we had gone through the exercise practically and seen the results in the edit. -
Prelim over all
Overall, I think our prelim exercise was successful as we learnt many new techniques to use in our OTS and it allowed us to get used to the equipment and editing suit, aswell as working together. It was a basic way of introducing us to the process so that when it came to our OTS we would be familiar with it. -
Forming groups for our OTS
We bagan planning our OTS by dividing a mind-map into the different elements of a thriller film; antagonist, protagonist, equilibrium, disruption, beginning, middle, end, setting, props. We then, as a group, pooled our ideas together in these sections before refining the suggestions to ones we were all happy with. As we were working in the same group we were able to delegate tasks based on how we worked during the prelim. -
Working collectively on the project
Working in the group was rewarding because we could use each others ideas and incorporated ideas that I wouldn't have thought of myself. It also meant that there was a wider range of akills and talents than if I had been working by myself. It was challenging however as we didn't always see eye to eye and it is sometimes incredibly difficult to convey things the way you picture them. Despite this, we worked hard to make sure everyone in the group was listened to and everyone was happy. -
Filming the OTS
After our initial gathering of ideas, we started to think about the OTS in practical terms; what shots to use, where to film, how it would appear in the edit. In order to make sure we had everything planned carefully we produced storyboards- displaying the sequence and particular shots we wanted to use, went on a recce- and completed a health and saftey sheet, wrote up shot lists and costume & prop ideas. -
Filming day
We made sure to use the 180degree rule and we tried to use graphic match in the scene that flashes back to the dinning table. If I were to do this exercise again, I would make the idea simpler so that we didn't have so much to focus on and try and cut together, I think a simpler idea would have allowed us more time to concentrate on the technical aspects such as focus and white balance without getting so distracted by character portrayal. -
Filming day
On the filming day we worked together to film as efficiently as possible. We had to rethink a few of the shots we had originally planned after seeing the location; we wanted to film through a crack in a door however this would have been difficult in terms of lighting and we decided upon a midshot of our character on the stairs instead. After reviewing our footgage we learnt to pay extra attention to the focus of the camera but mainly I thought the framing of the shots were really good. -
Editing
I found that editing the prelim was a lot easier as there was less footage to try and cut together and we didn't have so much attention on sound like we did in our OTS which was particularly challenging. Having said this, we were able to edit much quicker and precisely because of the experience of editing our prelim. We used a lot of fade transitions in our OTS to suggest the passing of time and we used a black&white effect on the flash backs to seperate them from the present. -
Overall
Overall I think my skills and knowledge of film making has improved loads during the coursework. I have learnt how to cooperate patiently whithin a group and be open to new ideas. I have also been introduced to the Macs in the editing suit and the software on them which I believe I have adapted to well. I am also now more aware of film companies and production/ disdribution.
