MAIN Post 1: Conventions of an Opening Sequence

In order to be able to make my own opening sequence I need to gain a greater understanding of what is involved in them and what the conventions are. To do this, i have analysed 2 opening sequences from films that are already out. I hope this will allow me to make a more successful opening sequence myself.

The first film I analysed the opening sequence of is Juno.

The second film that I analysed the opening sequence to is Breaking Dawn Part 2.



Post 12: Independent Work Towards Targets

Before we started making our pre-production documents we had to decide on a theme for our short film to be based on. Once we had decided on The Break Up I made a diagram of some ideas to be put into the production.

When we were trying to find a time that we could book the edit suite I made a table of all of the times when were were free so that it was easy for us to find a time when we could all work together and help each other out.

Post 11: Targets

• My main target for the Preliminary task was to create a shot film that was unique, entertaining and involved all of the continuity aspects that would help towards making it seem more realistic such as match-on-action, the 180 degree rule and the 30 degree rule.
• My second target was to make sure that the lighting during my filming was sufficant so that the quality of the film was good, in order to do this we had to put a lot of thought into concepts such as where about to film and what time of day would give us enough light. As it was coming towards winter, filming after school would have not been an option as it would have been too dark.
• Another target is to make sure pour script includes enough places where we ca demonstrate techniques such as shot-reverse-shot, match on action and show that we understand when different shot sizes are used and the effect each of them have. The script should also flow seamlessly from shot to shot and scene to scene.
• Another target is to make sure that we finish the task on time. We had to keep moving at a very fast pace during this task and it was quite hard not to fall behind. This meant that as a group we had to put in some extra hours, using our free periods and lunch times to film and edit. 

Post 10: Evaluation Of Skills Developed

Below I have inserted the final version of our preliminary task. 

Post 9: Post-Production

Between the four people in our group we organised when we all had free lessons and lunch times in which we would be able to edit, this meant we booked the edit suite at a time when all four of us could help. Sometimes not all four us us could make it but in order to get the editing done as quickly as possible we set a rota so that there was a minimum of 2 people editing at a time and no one had to get by them selves.

As I had already learnt how to edit during GCSE Media Studies, i was already familiar with Adobe Premier Pro which is the program we used to edit. For this reason I was able to help the other people in my group learn what I already knew, however I made sure that I didn't do all of the editing and the other people in my group learnt how to use the program as well. I also learnt some knew things about how to edit, such as how to adjust the volume of the sound in the clip and how to add credits to the end.

We inserted a title slide at the begging to introduce the film and show the title, 'The Break Up', we also added credits at the end to show who helped to do each section of the production process and who the actors and directors were.

Post 8: Production Report

How did the shoot go?
Overall, the shoot went well. It took us slightly longer to film than we anticipated, we needed 3 hours and not 2, but this was not a problem as the classroom we used during filming was not being used so we could carry on filming in the third hour without being uninterrupted. 

What problems do you encountered?
One problem that we encountered was that we did not leave enough time between the clapper board and the characters dialogue, this caused problems during editing and made it slightly more difficult. Another problem that we had that when we started editing we filmed over some of our shots, meaning we had to re-film them.

How did you overcome the problems?
We over came our problems by putting more detail into editing, we had to watch the clip's over and over and check that we cut them at the exact right time, this meant that it took us slightly longer to edit that it would of usually but also gave good quality shots. We also had to re-film some shots, we overcame this problem by keeping calm, staying organised and working as a team. We organised when all four of us had free periods, made sure our actors brought in their costumes and re-filmed as quickly as possible.

How well did you work as a team?
I feel that we worked very well as a team. We divided all of the tasks equally, keeping in mid everyone's strong points. we all tried out best to get everything done on time and not keep anyone else in the group behind.This meant that we got all of out work done to a high quality standard as quickly as we could. 

What do you think of the footage you shot?
I think that our footage is good for a first attempt. We put in attention to detail and stuck to the continuity rules. However, after having now got experience of what is involved in filming, I feel that if we re-done it we would be able to make it to a better standard. 

Are there any areas for improvement in the technical execution?
One area for improvement is that we need to leave a 5 second pre-role between the clapper board and the dialogue or action in the shot. This would make editing quicker and easier. Another area for improvement is to check that all of our shots are in focus during filming, as a consequence of not doing this one of our shots is out of focus. 

Is there anything you will need to do now as a consequence of the footage you shot?
As a consequence of filming over some of the footage we shot, we had to re-film some of the scenes from the begging of our film. 

Have you abided by the rules of continuity?
During filming and our planning we made sure that we abided by the rules of continuity by using techniques such as the 180 degree rule, the 30 degree rule, match on action and eye-line match.

Post 7: Additional Pre-production Documentation

Location Recce

Technical Recce

To prepare filming there are a few problems which could affect our filming during production. As we will be mostly be using natural light from the windows if weather forecasts predict bad storms it could make lighting more darker ruining the mood of the film. Another problematic situation is if the camera malfunctions and we are incapable of filming this could delay our timetable in which we use to plan out our shooting schedule.

As we are filming in the English room there is a chance that the room could be booked or locked restricting our access to the English room, or problems of people not part of the cast could come in causing chaos on set. Props are also at risk of breaking or not working as we have a scene of phones sending texts if the phones don’t work at the time it could ruin the text scene.

During the close up of the feet scene people could walk down the corridor student could come out of class and come into shot  going against continuity. Also during the feet scene we use unnatural light meaning if the lights short circuit it could be impossible to film with no light at all.

Risk Assessment 

Shooting Schedule 

Mise-en-Scene Description 

Set Design/Location

The room is spacious and is a perfect school setting of a class room. It has 4 windows on one side of the room, with navy blue carpet; there are large lights on the roof creating a lit environment to work in, we placed the table at the back of the room.

Props

One light brown table and two blue chairs opposite sides of the table. We will use this layout for the props as it is a realistic set out. Another key prop is a mobile phone of which will be kept in characters pockets until it needs to be used.

Lighting

The main source of light will be the natural light coming from the many windows in the English room, we will be also using artificial lighting that is already provided to help make sure the audience can see everything that’s happening in the scene.

Character Movement

At the start of the filming PAUL is sitting in the class room on his own texting SALLY there is no speech in this scene, SALLY then walks into the room and sits opposite to PAUL at the table. After the two characters have spoken their dialogue, PAUL gets up and goes to comfort SALLY, SALLY storms out and slams door behind her. We chose this character movement as it is straight to the point and has enough going on to show different shots.   

Costume

SALLY: Black body-con skirt, blue jumper and denim shirt.

PAUL: Navy Body warmer, black trousers, smart shoes and a t-shirt.

These costumes are everyday ware, and realistic to our situation as the characters are meant to be natural.

Hair / Make-up

SALLY: Hair tied up in bun, simple face make up.

PAUL: Hair, no-make up.

Cast, Crew, Equipment and Props list

Post 6: Shot List and Storyboard

Below I have attached a copy of my group's shot list table. A shot list helps during filming to make sure the the directer and cameraman knows what shot should be used for each part of the script. It is also useful during making a story board as each shot should have a different storyboard image. Making a shot list helped to make sure I was including all of the needed shots and camera techniques in my preliminary task such as shot-reverse-shot, over-the-shoulder and different shot sizes. In our shot list we use may different shot sizes, such as an Extreme Close Up, to show emotion on the character faces, Long Shots, to show character movement Close Up's during shot-revere-shot of Sally and Paul's conversation to show the reaction of what they are saying.  

We have made a recording of us describing out shot list.

We used our shot list to help draw up a storyboard of each shot we will use during filming.