Preliminary Filming task Evaluation

What camera, editing techniques and codes did you use in your film and how do they influence the audience’s understanding of the film?

One of the techniques we used when filming the continuity task was the match on action technique. We used this technique when it came to the shot of the two characters walking through the double doors of the corridor. As the characters went, through they would be shot from behind, the camera angle then moves to the other side of the doors and the characters stayed in the same positions as they were before. It was shot a few times to make sure it was exact.

Another technique used was the shot reverse shot, this is where one character is shown looking at another character, and then the other character is shown looking “back” at the first character. We used this when the two characters where having a confrontation with each other to let the audience perceive one continuous action.
We also made sure to use the over the shoulder shot to allow the audience to place the characters within the setting. It also made the film seem more professional as it’s a common technique used in character discussion and helped create the drama seen between the two characters more intense.

The most important technique for this continuity task was the 180-degree rule; this is a basic film editing guideline. It states two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. This is important from an audience aspect, as if the characters are shot suddenly from the wrong side of each other it can be disorientating and throw the film off balance.

How did you use new technologies in your construction, planning and evaluation. What skills do you have at using this technology?

New technologies that were used where the digital cameras used for filming, these allowed us to be able to play back footage we had just shot as well as being compact making them easy to carry around. Because these were not professional cameras, a lot of the footage is not as good quality as we hoped. In addition, we only had one camera therefore we could not do multiple shots from different angles without having to cut and move the camera; therefore we could not get as many different perspectives.

When it came to editing, we used non-linear software, which allowed us to piece together our film and cut out any bad takes as well as add special effects and sound if needed. This was the first time using this type of software for editing therefore there was a lot of guidance needed. There was also a bit of difficult in being able to blend the shots smoothly together and if there was more time, this could have been done much better.

For planning, a storyboard used to create a better understanding of each shot. This helped filming run smoothly and was uploaded onto our blog so that, when it came to our film being completed we could compare the final footage to the original planning and see what had to be changed.

At the completion of our film, it was exported and uploaded onto YouTube to let others be able to access and comment. It also had to go on YouTube to be able to export it onto our blogs.

How successfully does your final product meet the brief?
Overall, our final product uses 3 of the techniques used in a successful continuity shot. It does this by showing two people walking down a corridor, going into a classroom and having a discussion. It iss a short sequence and has been edited to show it as being one shot with help of special effects.

Continuity task Storyboards

Third Man

Director: Carol Reed

Country Made: Vienna

Awards: Won 3 Nominated for 3

Copy of Review: One of the most famous British motion pictures of all time, and voted favourite by the members of the BFI, Carol Reed's "The Third Man" is a must-see drama/thriller now out on the new Warner Bros DVD release. (BBCi DVD Review)

User Rating: 8.5/10

The use of Mise en Scene used throught The Third Man uses many generic features used in a thriller film, in the opening sequence there is a canted close up shot of a suitcase, this gives the feel of everything seeming un-natural and the world disorientated. In the suitcase are some black shoes which are important as they highlight the black market of Vienna. There is also a shot of a man with watches up his arm to show the crime of Vienna as it's seen as dangerous, which is also shown in the unglamerous shot of the body in the river to allowing the audience see Vienna as a dangerous place to be.

Showing this in the opening sequence shows Vienna as a place full of corruption and treachery. In the thriller there is music whichs uses a contrast which is lively and makes the whole series of events appear as just a joke. Rather than more sinister and and dark to buid the tension.

There is voiceover used in the opening and throughout the film, this is used in thrillers such as essex boys and fight club. The voice over for The Third Man is a British army captain which is significant to the time the history of the film as it was during the War that this film was set.

The main character Holly Martins is introduced wearing Generic costume of a thriller character, he is shown wearing a long black coat, trilby hat and carrying a briefcase. This shows his importance and mystery as a character as the hat and coat allow him to hide himself and the briefcase is always a reference of mystery and importance.

As Holly Martins is looking for Harry Lime he seen walking uder a ladder, this is ironic as it suggests his character to be expeirencing a lot of bad luck throughout the film.

Stairs are used throughout The Third Man and are a signifier of danger as there's the feeling people can fall down them or the spindels can be used to make the character look imprisoned or vulnerable.

The Third Man also uses shadow through non-ambient lighting to show mystery and danger in characters.