Prelim Evalution

Prelim Evaluation

For our prelim task we had to we had to film and edit a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character where we needed to have some kind or dialogue. In the task we had to demonstrate that we can do a match on action shot, a reverse shot and can observe the 180 degree rule. The place where we decided to film this was at an old abandon shop. Our genre was thriller and we felt this was the perfect location as it is a dark place and the walls look like they haven’t been touched for years. The walls actually made it look like the addendum shop it was so we thought that this was a perfect location. This also very conventional as this is the sort of place that criminals would normally meet up.

The second thing we had to do was see who was how to portray the characters. This is important as we need to make sure that the audience knows who has the higher ground and who has more to lose from this short passage. We decided that we were going to bring some king of illegal item which we would keep unidentified and the other person is waiting for this product to come to him. To make this into a serious deal we decided that the person bring in this item would wear a suit to show off his seriousness and the receiver dress casually. We also wanted him to look serious as well so he wore a smart T- shirt and Jeans. The clothing is quite conventional as the dealer and the recipient would be dressed smartly for an important occasion.

Filming

The first thing we had to do was to establish the location to the audience. So we decided to start off with the door slamming shut which is indicating that someone has come. We did the door slamming quite a few times as we needed to get the correct sound as we needed to get the audience attention straight away. Once we got the audience attention the audience will want to see person that just slammed the door shut. But, we decided to keep the person anonymous from view. All they can see is the part of the body as he walked across the hall went up the stairs and opening the door. This is effective as it increases the audiences desire to see the character. It builds the tension. We used the match on action shot as he came through the door.

After walking through the door and turning around we had a brief pause as we met the receiver as we did an over the shoulder shot. Patrick then went over to the other side to do the same shot by observing the 180 degree rule we saw the face of the dealer for the first time. It is true that this was the first time we could see the dealer but to keep the suspense going we filmed him at a distance out of focus until he become close enough to the camera for the audience to see his face properly for the first time.

We then used a shot reverse shot technique where the first thing we did was do an establishing shot where we see the dealer sitting down next to the receiver and then a few over the shoulder shots as the dialog is being said. We wanted the audience have a felling that these two people have not met before and only got in contact through other contacts. To show this we made the dialog brief and formal. This also made the dealer the person in control. This is evident when the dialog was going on as when ever I (Piyal) was speaking the camera was always looking up to the dealer showing off that he is the one in control. When the dealer is speaking the camera is showing that the dealer is looking down on the recipient which is also showing off his power.

Our media product was to represent the criminal world. Deals are always going on in these sorts of locations. We are representing the ways of how the black market works and runs. Our group have been watching shows like Hustle to see how criminal deals and cons are being worked. What they do in Hustle is come up with an idea or a product and try and sell this idea for money but also making them think that they will always get the better end of the deal. They usually need someone to make the product they are selling so they meet in areas like our prelim task so the deal can be made.

The media institutions that may be interested in our sort of product would be the likes of film 4. They also look for the next best home grown talent. They want the young film producers recognise. They are at least given a chance to show off there work. They would like to take on the younger generation as they the future of the film industry and more willing in trying out the newer technology.

Our prelim task was aimed at an audience aged between 16-30 years old. This is aimed at the people who are prepared to be patient. We build the tension by doing everything slowly. The thing which defines our target audience is the deal which is going on. It wouldn’t be appropriate for young children to see illegal dealings and for the older generation they may feel a bit threatened by the illegal actions which are taken place. But this teenage to younger adult market would find this sort of goings on more to there liking and so some extent it is showing off reality and what is going on around the world.

From our prelim task we have learned that the little details is the things which makes the filming and acting work or fail. This was apparent in a number of different times like when we had to close the door, right at the start, many times so we could get the sound perfectly right because if we hadn’t got the audience attention from the word go then our whole prelim task would fail. Also near the end of filming the lighting was an issue as it got dark outside so our timing of when start needs to be spot on or having extra lighting in case we do run into a few difficulties during our filming for our main task.

Overall, I believe our prelim task was a success. We did all the shots that we were required to do; we also managed to grab the audience attention straight away. We built up the in the first 15 seconds and we also kept the identity of the dealer a secret until we met up with the receiver.

Areas for focus in the main task include:

1- Sound- The only thing we can hear is the actors acting and have no other distraction. We many decide to have an separate microphone.
2- Lighting- This is important that we keep a even level of light. If we need to show darkness we need to show the gradual fade of light but if we don’t then we will put some extra lighting.
3- Dialog- We do not have the best actors so a minimal amount of dialog may be necessary. We feel that the less dialog will keep the tension level higher and more dramatic and it will be easier for us to film.