Me Vid Evaluation

For this section of the unit, we were allocated a task that was to create a 2 minute Me-Video. We had 2 weeks to complete the whole section including the filming and editing process, this was followed by needing the video to be uploaded on to youtube by Friday the 18th. I was able to expand my camera/editing skills during the time that was allocated to complete the video, which will most certainly become advantageous in the future.

Pre-Production...
To structure and use a starting point, I had created a shooting script which based all the information I needed to know what I would want my video to look like when completed. Without a shooting script, I wouldn't of known how long my video would of been and the pieces I needed to make a video. The shooting script told me exactly what to do and how it was meant to be done as it had displayed guidelines consisting of what shot types/angles/movements I wanted to receive, the number of shots I had in total, the location/actors I wanted to include, the duration of the shots, a description of action to know what was happening in the particular shot, and the type of music. Having these guidelines benefited massively as I didn't have to waste time in camera and editing process as I knew what I was doing. For future productions, I would take into count the shooting script method as it helped a lot and was time worthy as it set me straight into what I was aiming for, even though it was time consuming as it took me a while to make up 50 odd shots. The image below is the example of my Shooting Script I made...

Production Skills...
During the shooting of my Me-Vid, my original plan was to film myself in my bedroom. I found the filming by myself hard as it didn't look consistent and clean, so I had a change of plan and decided to film at school where my two media friends, Prinul and Taylor, helped out by doing the filming. The main shot types I used were long shot and mid shot because all I was doing was saying a short amount of speech in each shot. Along with that, I changed my location in some shots to not keep it simple throughout the whole of the video. For the first time, I used the green screen for my production. It was uncomplicated and manageable. The whole idea of having the green screen for my video was to make it seem as if I was doing a presentation of my favourite films and pointing to the 'pictures' of the films. When it came to the editing, I had inserted the images of Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray and Shrek. I had to make sure I had enough footage before and after the dialogue so when it came to the editing process, it made it effortless for me to cut and fit shots together, enabling the video to stream nicely.

Green Screen

Green Screen in my Me-Vid

Post Production...

During post-production, I used the programme iMovie. Using iMovie was a bonus as I had recently used the software for the previous task (The Encounter), which I picked up on rapidly. As I was familiar with the tools and effects, the editing process was unchallenging and on point. There was one tool that I wasn't too sure on which was adding in the green screen footage, which was fairly straight forward. Using the green screen made the Me-Vid seem more compelling and captivating as it added a different effect.

The software, iMovie, I used

For the duration of my Me-Vid, the skills I have learnt throughout the pre production and the production stages will most likely be used for future preferences and other productions such as the music video. As we work in groups for the music video, our video will have to produce more camera angles/movements/effects, and shots in general. The me-vid was an insight into what will be wanted for the music video, as we were pressurised to get this done in the time allocated and to make it look more productive. The iMovie software is something I am now comfortable with to work with for future productions and tasks. The green screen method will probably be used for the music production, so having a headstart in using it for my me-vid was a bonus as I know how to add the video into iMovie.

Shooting Script

Evaluation of Continuity Exercise

 In my Continuity Editing piece we had to make sure we added the following techniques...

1. The 180 Degree Rule
2. The Rule of Thirds
3. Match on Action
4. Shot Reverse Shot

Using the 180 degree rule in our piece, we thought we successfully did the technique in our footage... until we noticed the faults during editing process. We was too late to re-do the shots as our deadline was close so we had no time to possibly change the footage. We broke the 180 degree rule but managed to fix it by flipping the shots on the editing workshop. We flipped the shots when the two characters were having a conversation so they were on the correct side for the audience not to get confused. The examples are shown below...

Throughout the piece, we made sure we used the Rule of Thirds. At the start of our film, where Jasmeet was running outside, we used the technique when the camera was panning and she came closer and closer until she reached to the far right of the camera. Her eyes were level with the top line and her body was in line with the right grid, apart from her leg that joined into the center grid. We made sure we used the Rule of Thirds here, to get a good action shot. The examples are shown below...

We used Match on Action to make the piece look consistent. We used this where Jasmeet opens the door in which the shot continues to when she gets inside the room and shuts the door. This type of shot conveys a continuous stream between the two shots making it a clean scene. This type of technique can be risky as you have to make sure the character is at the exact same position as they were when opening the door or it would look out of sync in which this case, we successfully made it look accurate and realistic. The examples are shown below...

The final technique we had to include was Shot Reverse Shot. We used this for the scene where the two characters are exchanging dialogue to each other. This shot had to go from one shot of a character talking to another shot of the other character talking back to then the exact same shot that was used before. We used the Shot Reverse Shot in the dialogue of when Jasmeet says, "What do you want from me?!" and then is replied with, "You made me suffer, now it's your turn!" which is then followed by a close up of a paper with the word 'CONFIDENTIAL' on it. The examples are shown below...

While filming our footage, myself and my group found a few things challenging. The room where Jasmeet runs into, we discovered that the shots taken were a bit too dark. Although we wanted a dark and gloomy atmosphere, we had to think about the characters as we could not see their facial expressions clearly. One shot in particular was a bit too dark so we had to open a blind at the far back of the room to expose a small amount of light so you could just see the characters faces. Although we weren't allowed to change the lighting, we made it so you could just about see their faces but without making it noticeable that we changed it. Also, another challenging problem we faced was that Jasmeet had forgotten to put her glasses on as we already filmed her with them on a few days before. Without her glasses, we filmed a few shots. Minutes later, looking back at the footage, we realised she hadn't had her glasses on so we had to re-film the shots again. This definitely taught us a lesson to look back at footage or to check if we've got everything sorted before filming.
When it came to editing our footage separately, I noticed a few issues and mistakes that we made. Where we film Jasmeet opening the door to her running up the stairs, I observed the fact that she had her hands on the right hand side of the handle, and using the match on action method, we filmed her from the inside opening the door, but realised she opened the door on the left, which would of confused the audience. To of solved this issue, I still used the footage of her hands on the handle, but cut out the bit where she's running inside. I cut it to the point where you couldn't see the door, so the camera was panning her until she got to the stairs. Although we made changes here, it still flowed nicely. Another issue was that when Jasmeet is running outside but gets to the door, there was talking in the background just as she passed the camera shot. I cut this when editing which again, was very successful. In spite of the fact that the editing process was fortunate, if I had the chance to edit my piece again, my main priority to create a good piece of footage I would of re-filmed the shots again so I understood more about the basic camera angles/movements that we had to do and making my editing issue more easier so I could've had more time to work on the editing process.

The strength of my piece was the creativity and flow of the shots we made. Even though myself and my group have never done media before, we attempted to make a great piece of work which we both thought came out successfully. We chose to do a chase-like story as we thought it would add more entertainment and thriller/action. So in order to making it tense, we made her run throughout most of the shots, which would make the audience react in the same way as Jasmeet is. Producing a storyboard helped us make this aim. It gave us a headstart on where we was gonna film the shots, the lighting, dialogue, costume/accessories, etc. Before filming we made sure we went over the storyboard and discussed what changes we would make e.g. not having a character that would chase Jasmeet. If we didn't have the storyboard, we would have been confused, leading to a waste of time. Using the HD camera was another strength as it was easy to use and the shots looked distinct. This made our piece look more defined which would make a huge difference to the audience.

The weaknesses I tackled when editing, was trying to crop shots. At first I thought it was quite uneasy as I wanted to make the scene look precise. The reasons why I found it hard was because if a shot was too long, I would either not crop enough so there was some sort of space before or after, or I would crop it slightly a bit too much, making the whole footage out of proportion. As I carried on cropping other scenes, I discovered it became easier and I got the hang of it. Also, because I hadn't used a Mac before, it was all new to me so I had to remember what I had to do to finalise my piece. I finally learnt how to trim shots, adding in text, and using effects. I reckon, if I had more time in editing, I would of either added effects such as changing the colour etc. and adding in audio to make it more efficient.

Overall, if I was to do this project again, I would of filmed this more in the evening so it was semi dark, and leaving a light on in the back of the room for when she enters. Therefore, the shots would have been more clear, making it easier for the audience and making it still work. Re-doing shots is another thing I would change as there were moments where she wouldn't be in the same place as she was in another shot, for example, opening the door on the right and coming in from the left, re-filming where we broke the 180 degree rule while exchanging dialogue, and making the panning more stable as she ran/walked. Doing all of the above, personally, I think would have made our film look 10x better and in proportion.

Continuity Evaluation

The Encounter

For my groups movie, I used the 180 degree rule, rule of thirds, match on action and shot reverse shot to make the scenes look realistic and efficient. The scene had to consist of a character opening a door, crossing the room, and sitting down in a chair. The character is greeted with another character in which they exchange a couple of lines of dialogue. Myself and my group chose to do a thriller movie consisting of the three exercises to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of match on action, shot/reverse shot and 180 degree rule. Our aim was to create a suspense/interest through the setting and performance of our actors as well as the dialogue taking place. 

180 degree rule

With the 180 degree rule, we had to make sure the camera remained on the same side of the imaginary line which established the shot of the scene. If the 180 degree rule didn't exist then the characters looked like they changed positions. Example;

We used the rule where the two characters were having a conversation.

Match on Action

Another rule we had to accomplish was match on action. This technique conveys a cut in which two parallel actions mirrored in order to suggest the strong relationship between two shots. This particular technique fitted well in a scene where my group member, Jasmeet, was running into a room. This is an example of the scene…

  The technique here shows the character getting ready to open the door, and then in the second scene we see her entering the room.  

Rule of Thirds

The third technique we had to use was rule of thirds. Imaginary lines are formed dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. You place important elements of your composition where these lines intersect. Here is an example…

Throughout our piece, we used the rule of thirds to get a good perspective of an action. This scene where she is running, we made sure we used the rule of thirds to get a good action shot.

Shot Reverse Shot

The final technique we had to make sure we used was the shot reverse shot. A shot reverse shot is where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other. Here is an example of how we used the rule…

The shot reverse shot is being used where the two characters are conversing.

Overall, myself and my group made sure we used the four rules to makes a successful movie clip continually throughout the whole piece. The whole point of using the rules was to make sure the audience wouldn’t be baffled with the 180 degree rule, making sure our scenes were balanced when using rule of thirds, and having match on action and shot reverse shot to make the scenes look more convincing.

The first plan to make a good movie was to create a storyboard with my group, Jasmeet and Farhana, in which we thought carefully about to have a wise and precise scenario. The storyboard was to guide us with a certain outlook. It gave us a head start in how we wanted to break things down such as shots, camera movement, the lighting and costume. We also needed to make sure that we had continuity in the type of day, costume, appearance (glasses, accessories, hair), and of course, the location. Having three in a group was a positive as too many people can cause too much hassle. Filming the movie consisted of calm and good communication skills to get what we wanted as a group. Jasmeet was one of the characters (the one running), Farhana and I shared the camera and took roles in being a ‘director’. Once we filmed a scene, we would check back to see any mistakes and would give feedback as to how we could resolve the problem.

As a group, my thoughts during the making of the film were that we worked well as we worked hard and didn’t mess about. We kept to our deadlines meaning we was up to date and made sure we didn't waste time on not filming. Myself and my group shared many opinions meaning we wasn't afraid to contribute ideas which is a key thing when working in a group of people. If I had a choice in moving groups or staying, I would definitely stay with the group that I have as we all know we want the best outcome.

As our aim for creating a piece where it had to consist of a character opening a door, crossing the room, sitting down and is suddenly greeted by another character in which they exchange a couple lines of dialogue, we thought of making ours more entertaining and thriller-like by adding more action. We initially thought for our idea of someone chasing Jasmeet, but because we couldn't find someone to participate as that character, we decided to make it look like someone was still chasing her when in fact no one actually was. The main story of our film is that Jasmeet feels a presence as if someones chasing her so she runs away to find a safe place. The location of the first scenes that were outside, we wanted to make sure looked gloomy which in this case was as there were grey skies to imply there was something mysterious going on. Her clothing throughout was casual to give it a realistic, everyday feel. As she travels, she looks back worriedly to see if the 'chaser' is there and at one point falls over. She gets up and walks until she gets to a dark room to symbolise the foreshadow effect of someone already being there. She walks around the room and senses someone in the room so she turns around. As she turns around the chair swings around and so shes greeted by a person in a hoody. We chose a hoody for the person to wear to make them look more intimidating and so the audience would understand that they're a bad person. She asks the person, "What do you want from me?!" in which they reply, "You made me suffer, and now it's your turn!", and is then ended with a piece of paper with the word 'Confidential' on it. We used as many shots as we could to make it a really good piece rather than having basic shots all throughout. We made sure we used a wide range of camera shots and angles to make our piece look as visually impressive as possible, for example we used POV, long shot, mid shot, close up, reaction shot, low angle, high angle and many more.

While filming The Encounter, creating a storyboard was a big help as it gave us an estimate on what we wanted our shots to appear as and how we wanted to film these particular shots. Unfortunately, a few of our shots didn't come out as well as we wanted them to as the camera movements/angles were disorderly. We decided to stick to the footage although we went back and filmed a couple of shots to make it flow. Although we had to re-do/change shots, using a storyboard was profitable as we got straight into filming without us having to think on the spot and waste time trying to figure out what type of shots or acting we were planning to do. Here is my storyboard...

 

My Interests