Preliminary Task Evaluation: Vianca (1)

My Preliminary Task

Preliminary Video

My preliminary video was a continuity exercise. It required us to produce a short clip that included three set actions and three principles.

I think my preliminary task did in fact contain all three set actions, which were:

• Opening a door 
• Walking across a room 
• Exchanging two sentences of conversation (while sitting down on a chair opposite another character) 

I also think that I have used all three principles when filming, which were: 

• Match-on-action 
• Shot-reverse-shot
• 180 degree rule 

Match-on-action

Match-on-action was used throughout my video. I believe it was a way where the video demonstrated flow and continuity editing, making the audience feel as if they were watching it happen in real time. It was mainly used when we showed the action of walking. 

I made a GIF of a significant moment where the actor, Aidan, was walking from right outside the door, then towards the curb and then suddenly walking towards our 6th form block. 

This is significant in showing match-on-action as his actions of walking were viewed from one area to another, without it looking too separated apart and so it is clear he is still near the same area. The intention of this was to create pace -  slow but steady - and believable. This is because if  Aidan had walked from outside the door then immediately be in another area, without showing how he got there beforehand, it would not represent continuity or flow. However, we also couldn't have shown him walking the WHOLE way as that would be very boring for the audience to watch. He is purposely walking slow to create suspense, contrasting the next few seconds. As a result from this, the video looks connected, in place and believable since the audience knows where he came from and how he's got to where he is now. 

Match-on-action was also used in showing someone opening a door and going through it. In fact, we filmed Aidan going through two different doors. One was actually just a coincidence but I guess it was also to certify we've completed the task given properly? There was only one important time of him opening the door that was planned. I made another GIF to show you these special moments!

This bit was the coincidence! Aidan had to go through a door to get out of the toilet, in order for the audience to know that he's going from one setting to another. This shows continuity editing because as an audience, you would now know that Aidan is moving and not just suddenly in another setting! 

This is the significant bit where Aidan opens the door. It is presented to the audience who is going through the door, therefore, we had to show the SAME person coming in from the other side.

It shows that once he's opened the door, the person on the other side, is still the same person and hasn't changed. It creates a visual bridge that continues from one cut to another. I thought it looked very realistic as the audience sees his action of opening the door and walking in from bother sides. Am I right or am I right?

Shot-reverse-shot

Shot-reverse-shot was shown when Aidan and I were having a conversation. 

These shot-reverse-shots present a fluid conversation between the two great stars(!). It is clear to the audience that they are talking to each other and also because they are responding what they each of them are saying. This was intended in showing continuity editing to make the audience feel as if they are watching a casual conversation, about maths homework. I ensured that Aidan was looking at me, to his right, and I was looking at him, to my left. This creates a more realistic impression because it makes it obvious to the audience who each of them are talking to. 

180 degree rule

The 180 degree rule is when the camera is placed within the 180 degree (invisible) line when shooting two people in a sequence. If the camera crosses the line at any point, it will create a confusing and uncomforted feeling for the audience because it makes it look like the people are switching positions in the screen, which is unrealistic. Here is the 180 degree rule in a diagram that shows clearly where the (invisible) 180 degree line is. 

We carried out the 180 degree rule during the process of filming of the conversation between Aidan and I and Holly and I. I will speak more about how we constructed these later on my blog. But for now, here's a good example of how we used the 180 degree rule. 

This shows the 180 degree rule as I talk to Holly, on my left. You may be able to notice that the camera is situated in the same position when filming me, then turned to face Holly, without breaking the 180 degree rule.