Evaluation - Question 7

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

What was the purpose of the preliminary task?

Prior to filming our opening sequence, the members of the group including myself, had very little knowledge and ability in regards to the camera and editing software. This was due to the lack of experience we had. Therefore the ‘preliminary task’ was essential to carry out in order for us to increase our knowledge and ability. In turn, the final outcome of our opening sequence would be of a higher standard due to previous experience and therefore, the purpose of the task was to give us experience that could be related to our final product. The preliminary task consisted of using a camera and tripod which we would also use in the filming of our opening sequence. Such equipment was used to film an actor walking an amount of time, approaching another ‘friend’ and conversing. The requirements in the brief noted that we had to include the actor walking through a door and the shot reverse shot to challenge our knowledge and camera experience. After filming, we then had to edit the footage to ensure continuity using Final Cut Express. This involved getting rid of any unnecessary footage and ensuring remaining footage was continuous and made sense, so that the audience would believe it. This was a skill that was required when making our opening sequence and therefore this experience and practice helped us create continuity in the final product too.

What did you learn from the preliminary task?

Tracking shot of Harriet walking to the stairs, when the tripod was used

When conducting the preliminary task, I had used the camera and tripod in order to practice for the opening sequence. In doing so, I learnt the importance of the tripod in creating a smooth ‘glide’ movement when tracking the actor. When I hadn't used the tripod, I noticed that the shot lacked quality as it appeared shaky and unprofessional. If I were to have done this in the filming of the opening sequence, it may have influenced the audience’s reaction in either not being t understand the narrative or not believing it due to its unprofessional nature. Therefore once noticing that the shot was shaky, I re-filmed the shot using the tripod, noticing that it had improved. The tripod allowed me to film the smooth transition of the actor going from one side of the room to another. Because the shot now looked more professional, the narrative became clearer and more believable. Therefore when filming my opening sequence, I was aware of the significance the tripod had on the overall outcome of the product, thus ensuring that I used it throughout.

The preliminary task also taught me the meaning and importance of continuity editing. It is logical that using one static shot to film an entire narrative would be disengaging for an audience and therefore, many shots had to be filmed. However, the shots must be edited in the correct order as well as making sense in terms of perspective, in that they complement their previous and following shot also. Therefore when using Final Cut Express to edit the footage, I learn that continuity editing was vital in explaining the narrative clearly.  For example, when the actor is just about to walk through the door, there is a close up of her hand to emphasise her walking through the door. The following shot is from the other side of the door with her walking through it. Overall it is clear that the actor has walked through a door which is vital in making the audience believe and understand the narrative; the effect that continuity editing has. This knowledge was applied to the post production stages of the opening sequence during the part where the victim also walks through a door. The previous experience assisted me in knowing how to execute the editing of this particular section of the opening and therefore increased its appeal as it was more believable.

What skills did you learn from the preliminary task that helped you with your thriller film?

Prior to carrying out the preliminary task, I had no experience of editing or using editing software. After filming the ‘task’, it was required that such footage was edited using Final Cut Express, making sure that transitions appeared clear and professional. While editing the footage, I gained knowledge in terms of the key tools needed to get rid of unnecessary footage, including the ‘cut’ tool. To do so, you must click on the section of the footage no longer needed with the select tool, and then delete such footage using the cut tool. This was a vital skill that I gained in the preliminary task that efficiently assisted me in my final product as I was able to transfer this is the editing process of my opening sequence. Another skill I learnt in the editing process was how to create transitions. Although I didn't include any transitions in my preliminary task, I was able to learn how to include them while practising with the editing software Final Cut Express. In this practice I learnt that to create a transition you must go to the ‘Effects’ tab and then click ‘Video Transitions’ which will allow you to choose from a selection of transitions. After choosing one, it must be dragged to the point in which you want it to appear in the footage. This skill was vital when creating my opening sequence as I was able to include this in my own final product which helped it in looking more professional and coherent.


Once again, before I carried out the preliminary task I had no previous experience in using a camera and tripod. Therefore ultimately, the experience assisted me in gaining skills that could be directly transferred and used when making the opening sequence. These skills included the understanding of the basic functions of the camera and tripod. For example, the camera has several buttons that have different functions which obviously were meant to be learnt in order to fully use the camera to its best capability. The zoom button, for instance, was heavily used in my thriller opening and therefore the practice the understanding and practice I had using it in the preliminary task assisted the final outcome of my thriller opening. Without this practice I would not have fully understood the pace in which the button must be pressed in order to create a smooth glide rather than a jumpy ‘in-out’ movement. Furthermore, the button almost appeared as a switch  and therefore I had to practice which way made the camera zoom in and zoom out; if I hadn’t I may have done it the wrong way which would have prolonged filmed as I would have had to re-film and do it correctly. This is an example of the skills I gained in cinematography while carrying out the preliminary task which directly assisted my thriller opening. At the end of the sequence a ‘zoom in’ is used on the victim which is an example of how my skills gained in the preliminary task directly assisted the final outcome of my thriller opening. Furthermore, practice with the tripod during the preliminary task also assisted me in the filming stages of my thriller opening. As discussed previously, I learnt the importance of the tripod in creating a smooth tracking shot which appeared believable and professional to the audience. However, another skill I gained in using the tripod was the functioning of it. Tripods can be manipulated into the position, height and angle desired, but in order to do so; an understanding of the tripod is required. The ‘legs’ of the tripod can extended or made smaller according to the level in which you want the camera to be. An example of when this is evident in the preliminary task is when Harriet is walking up the stairs as the tripod was extended in order to include her whole body in the shot. This is also evident in the thriller opening when the victim is panicking in the bathroom. The tripod’s legs are extended to create a high angled shot, thus connoting her vulnerability as the audience are looking down on her, making her appear smaller. Therefore the skill in which one must manipulate the tripod’s height; position etc was gained in the preliminary task and directly assisted the effect that the thriller opening had on the audience.

Finally, the last skill I gained when carrying out the preliminary task is one that is required when being a cinematographer; the ability to look at the footage as the final outcome and evaluating whether it will be successful or not. When filming the task, I had to make sure that the shots I was filming would look coherent when edited together so that the audience easily believe the narrative. By doing this, I was able to ensure that the footage would not have to be re-filmed and therefore wasting post production time. For example, when filming Harriet coming up the stairs, we used a high angled shot when she was walking up the stairs, and then a tracking shot when at the top of the stairs and walking round a corner so that it almost appeared that the audience were following her, making it believable. It would not make sense to have a high shot of her walking up the stairs, followed by a low shot from the bottom of the stairs of Harriet being at the top. This does not flow, the perspective of the audience fluctuates too much and it not fairly static for them to comprehend what is going on in the narrative. Also because of this, it becomes unclear and therefore disengaging. The evaluation of these shots together stopped us from including them and therefore we did not need to re-film anything. This skill was evident in the final outcome of the thriller opening, as it did not need re-filming due to the coherence in the shots.