My Preliminary Task - Filming

I have now finished filming my preliminary task and am currently about to edit my piece.

I found it difficult to effectively film tracking shots using the dolly, as I found it difficult to manoeuvre the dolly at the same speed as the actress who was walking. I did however find it easier to film using the dolly than handheld, as it was less jolty than the handheld alternative; however, walking at the same speed as the actress with a handheld camera was easier than with a dolly. I also found it quite difficult to film smooth tilt shots as the joints on the tripod were stiff so the tilt shots were constantly jolty.

Filming wasn’t that tricky, but I did find it difficult to keep the camera steady at all times. I solved this problem by sitting down while filming and keeping the camera steady with both hands, meaning that the camera was secure. During filming, I decided to change my script to something more comical, because I thought my previous one was to demanding. I also decided to change the tracking shot from just being a backwards tracking shot all the way to being half a backwards tracking shot and half a forwards tracking shot, as I thought that this would make my piece more interesting.

I have to re-film the scene with the woman walking along the hallway, as the first time I filmed it the camera was jolty. I also had to re-film the conversation from different angles so that I had a range of shots to use for my actual film.

I felt fully prepared to film at first, but when I picked up the cameras and started filming I found myself unable to do all of the shots I had intended to do well. I prepared myself by focusing on the task in hand and trying to drown out any distractions that may hinder my goals.

I enjoyed using new equipment and getting a feeling of what it would be like to create a film. I enjoyed experimenting with editing after filming and using different effects to enhance my film.

My Preliminary Task - My New Scripit

For some reason, I decided against my old idea and chose to do this one instead. Well... here it is.

Jess is shown walking down a hallway slowly. She stops by a door to her left and enters through it. She walks through that room and into the next room to her right. Inside the room, Minur is seen waiting for her. Jess walks across the room and takes a seat opposite Minur.

Minur:                   (timidly) Hey Jess.

Jess:                       Did you call me here for a reason or… (Trails off…)

Minur:                   Oh yeah. I wanted to tell you that… (Pause) we’re out of milk!

Jess:                       (annoyed) Are you being serious? Is that what you brought me up her for?

Minur:                   No, I’m sorry. I… I always make jokes when I’m nervous.

Jess:                       What have you got to be nervous about?

Minur remains silent.

Jess:                       Spit it out!

Minur:                   (quickly) Oh, yes, well I… erm… (long pause) I’m gay…

Long pause.

Jess:                       (jokingly/sadly) How much is milk…

My Preliminary Task - Introduction

For my preliminary task, we were asked to create a short piece of continuous media that contains a matched cut, a shot reverse shot and dialogue containing the 180 degree rule. For my piece, I needed to show a person walking through a door, sitting down at a table and exchanging dialogue with another person. For this piece, I plan to base my piece around a guy who had been caught by secret services, and is being interrogated by a woman, who works for the secret services. This section of the scene does not show any specific genre, although I want it to seem like it’s from an action based film. For this piece, I plan to make woman to appear more dominant to the male, so I plan to use a lot more low angle shots when filming the woman and a lot more high angle shots for the male. Also, as I want this scene to build up suspense, I plan to use slow paced editing to build suspense. I think that scenes that do not include sound can build suspense, so I will try to include scenes without sound. I plan to use a dolly shot to film tracking shots, as it will make these tracking shots as smooth as possible. Also, I want to use a tripod and pivot the camera around it so that my pan shots will also be smooth. I plan to use the match on action requested by the exam board to film the person going through the door, as this was what was requested. I will use a shot reverse shot so that the audience will be able to see what the first person says, followed by the second person's reaction.

My Preliminary Task - My Storyboard

My Preliminary Task - Media Film Script

This is a copy of my original script.

A dark room. A long shot shows a man is shown sitting in a chair. His arms are bound behind him and tied to the chair.

Cut to:

A high angled pan over the man. He is unconscious and his face can be seen to be bruised.

Cut to:

A close up shot shows the man’s face. The man’s eyes are shown to twitch slightly, before slowly opening

Cut to:

A P.O.V shot shows the man looking around the room. His breathing can be heard to be quickening as the camera scans the room.

Cut to:

A close up of a pair of women’s legs are shown, striding powerfully along a dimly lit hallway. The woman is wearing a pair of black stilettos and black tights, but only up to just below her knees are shown.

Cut to:

A mid shot of behind the woman. The woman can be shown bouncing slightly with each step she takes. The woman’s footsteps gradually increase in speed, and then suddenly stop. The woman is shown looking to her left at a door, but her face remains hidden by her fringe.

Cut to:

A P.O.V shot of the woman. The woman’s hand is shown reaching for a door handle. The door handle is pushed downwards and the door creaks open.

Cut to:

A shot of the door opening is shown, tilting downwards as the woman enters the room. With this, her whole attire is shown. She is dressed is formal attire: A navy blue blazer with a white shirt and a blue/black striped tie is shown first. As the camera tilts downwards, the woman is shown to be wearing a matching navy blue skirt, which is worn just above the knee. Her black tights and heels are shown last.

Cut to:

A close up shot shows of the man’s face. He slowly looks upwards towards the woman. A perplexed look is seen on his face, but her remains silent.

Cut to:

A mid shot shows the woman, pulling a chair from underneath the table and sitting down so that she is facing the man.

Cut to:

A close up shows the woman’s fingers, drumming against a table. The camera follows her fingers to a tape recorder, where she presses the record button downwards. The camera pans upwards to a shot of the woman’s face, which she moves towards a small microphone attached to the tape recorder.

Woman

This interview is being tape recorded and may be given in evidence if your case is brought to trial. The time is 2200 hours on Tuesday 22nd September 2012. This interview is taking place at Chelmsford Police Station. My name is detective _____ _____. My role today is to interview you in relation to the offence(s) you've been arrested for. I will be making notes during the interview purely for my reference. Now… Can you please state your full name please and confirm for the purpose of the tape that there are no other persons present in the interview room.

Cut to:

A close up shows the man looking downwards. You can see a tired expression on his face.

Man

(Calmly)

I’m innocent… You’ve got the wrong person!

Cut to:

A close up shows the expression of the woman’s face changes from quite calm to quite angry.

Woman

(Losing control of herself)

Can you state your full name and confirm, for the purpose of the tape, that there are no other persons present in this room.

Cut to:

A close up shows the man quickly looking upwards at the woman. He has now lost his temper.

Man

(Angrily)

I’ve already told you. You’ve got… the wrong… guy!

Cut to:

While the man is speaking, the woman quickly is shown reaching over and pressing ‘pause’ on the tape recorder. A pan shot shows the woman reaching over the table and grasping onto the front of the man’s shirt. She has now also lost her temper.

Cut to:

A close up shot shows the woman’s face. She is angry.

Woman

(Angrily)

Well what difference does it make? You’re one of them. Eventually, you all turn. You all get the urge. In the end, you’re all a just bunch of murderers!

Cut to:

A mid shot shows the woman relinquishing her grip on the man, who falls back down into his seat.

Cut to:

A close up shot shows the man looking downwards, wearing a solemn look on his face.

Man

(Pause)

I’m… I’m not one of them…

Cut to:

A close up shows the woman staring at the man with a loathing stare.

Woman

Sure you’re not. I can see it in your eyes. You’ve killed… and you’ve liked it.

Cut to:

A close up shows the woman’s fingers leaving the table and lightly stroking her neck.

Woman

You feeling thirsty? It must’ve been days since you last… topped up. Well, here I am… come and get me.

Cut to:

A close up shows the man’s face, looking up at the woman. The camera zooms into the man’s eyes, which flicker bright green, before changing back to their natural colour.

Woman

(Smirks)

Bingo…

Fade to black.