Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression

from it to the full product?

Emma Ashman

I feel I have learnt a lot during the progression of this product, not just in regard to the basics like camerawork and editing, but also other more subtle things that stemmed from this project.

Other things I feel I have learnt in the progression of this task are:

• Use of new technologies (i.e. Final Cut Pro X)• Ability to use a wider range of camera angles appropriate to particular

genres and improvement in camerawork generally.• Ability to communicate with others/direct actors/work in group• Development of leadership skills (i.e. directing and taking the reins with

camerawork)• A better understanding of representation• Ability to apply more technical elements of sound, camerawork and

editing than I did previously.

CameraworkI feel that camerawork is the area I have developed most in, especially when I look back at the preliminary production and other practices we did, as most if not all of the camera shots I used were of a much more basic nature and didn’t really seem to add to the productions as a whole. However now I feel that I find myself thinking up a wide range of shots to use in reference to a particular scene, and even find myself thinking up new ways to make even basic shots such as mid shots more interesting.

I think I now also have a raised awareness of how important camerawork can be, as certain shots within a scene of a certain film and a certain genre (such as us with horror) can really make or break a scene. This is especially true for our media product as the genre allows more creativity, however I found this must be applied appropriately, giving subtle hints, whilst also allowing for some shots to be screamingly obvious in order to meet the conventions of the genre, as without these conventions in regard to camerawork I do not feel the overall piece would have worked as well.

EditingI also feel I’ve learned a quite a lot through the editing process over the few weeks we spent editing our piece. From learning how to generally use Final Cut Pro X to more complicated procedures within this I feel I have learnt some new stuff such as colour correction and stabilisation of clips, not to mention editing the piece so it fits together more smoothly and allows for no continuity errors. This was something especially important in regard to out opening sequence as we found the sound and editing went hand in hand such as editing the piece to make sure it fits around and worked with a sting we found online to ensure this had maximum impact on our audience.

Other skills I feel I’ve learnt in the progression of our opening sequence…

Other skills I feel I’ve learnt in the progression of our opening sequence are qualities such as leadership skills and working within a group well. The leadership skills I feel really developed on the day of filming our opening sequence as I found I was in control for long periods of time, suggesting new ideas and possibilities for the piece. I also felt more confident in telling the actors what I wanted from them and asking them to try new ideas we were having. This also developed the communication skills between Chloe and I and the actors.

I would also say that as a group Chloe and I worked well, as we seemed to balance each other out in many ways. We also found that a lot of the time an area Chloe was weaker in was in fact an area I was stronger in and vice versa. At times I think we had slightly different ideas, but as time progressed we found it easier to find a middle ground between the two of us, both sharing and taking onboard each others ideas and opinions.

Better understanding of aspects of mise-en-scene and representation…

Other skills I feel I’ve developed over the duration of our production are to do with other aspects that influence other sections of the media course too, for instance I feel I’ve gained an insight into mise-en-scene, now being able to truly understand why emphasis is placed on even some of the smallest factors within a film or opening sequence, as I now realise some of this is crucial in setting the tone of the film.

I found that within our opening sequence, mise-en-scene was especially important as after researching the history and conventions of the genre I found there was usually a set way to go about representing protagonists and antagonists. This meant we paid close attention to these details to ensure we matched this criteria, and as part of this, really helped us understand how to represent our characters as young and vulnerable or dark and sinister. i.e. through costume, lighting and even elements such as hair and makeup.