Use of the Camera
In our preliminary assessment we used a tripod throughout shooting to keep our shots steady. On doing this it made on clip more collected and professional, there was no camera shaky or dodgy angles. To make our clip better we decided on a wide range of shots, over-the-shoulder, long shot, mid shots, etc.
When making sure our shots were framed correctly we used the grid that can be shown on the camera. We used it to help make sure none of our shots were misleading or confusing to a viewer. You can see we used this on one of the first shots; this is where Alex (a member and actor in the clip) is sat on the steps and goes to throw the pendant. Here you can see he has lead room; this is when an actor is shown on the either the left or right hand of the screen and space is available for them to walk into on the opposite side. We gave him lead room to show that he was going to walk into the space provided, rather than setting him in the middle and panning across.
Use a variety of shots
Use composition techniques
Use of Editing
Continuity editing is important when making a film clip, whether it’s for 40 seconds or an hour’s worth; so it was just as important for us to consider. I believe we applied the rules of continuity editing throughout own our clip. With our other clips we had slight problems with making each flow as well as it could of; here we made sure we did a better job and took it into more consideration. We created a storyboard and shot list to help make this even easier. As well as this we did a ‘master shot’ when shooting as this helps when it comes to editing. When editing we made sure we cut each shot at the most appropriate time and for them all to flow together; we didn’t want any jump cuts that would annoy an audience when watching it. I believe our continuity editing was done quite well. Like it was pointed out, we hadn’t done so well at this before but I feel this was our best by far by doing it carefully and with all group members’ opinions on this part especially.
We also choose appropriate editing transitions when putting our shots together. We didn’t use many effects as it was just a short 40 second clip and it wouldn’t have looked right. We did however use sound effects but not too many. We used a wind effect as you could already see leaves blowing around in view, as well as the pendant blowing in the trees. As well as the wind we used a ‘scary accent’ when it came to the shot of the pendant. We knew as a group that in the film we were recreating the pendant was the significant part within it, and that it was something that brought fright. Adding the scary accent put emphasis on its importance. Having the sound also proves as evidence that we knew how to add and cut it on the software. Apart from sound we didn’t use any other transitions; this may have made our clip better.
Selection of Content
When looking at our video and studying parts like costume and props within it, I feel everything was appropriate. A lot of horrors today don’t use big make-up and big costumes; this is so the audience feel it would be just like a normal day when something frightening happens in the film. It makes them feel it might happen to them, which then results in a more effective horror. We did the same with ours. As it was a psychological horror, it was supposed to test the mind and affect the character like that, rather like zombies and vampires, etc. Alex, our actor, was dressed in day-to-day clothes and no make-up as he wasn’t playing a horror film character like a zombie, etc. As for props we used a simple pendant. This is what we put the most thought into as this was the main object; we didn’t want anything to overpower its importance. We also definitely used an appropriate setting and location. The original film was shot in the Arboretum in Nottingham, we also shot ours here. We did however change where in here it was shot. We wanted to use somewhere else as we didn’t want everything to be exactly the same. Within the film we decided to use Alex, a member of our group, to act. With earlier projects we all had a go at acting and Alex was good enough for this clip. It was also easy to use him as we wouldn’t have needed to find some else that was to come with us, there was also a chance of them cancelling, Alex however had to be there so if he was not able to make it, it would have affected him just as much.
Self-assessment
We all contributed to each part in the film as we all wanted the experience. We did however all have more specific roles. Alex’s was mainly acting, Natalie’s creating the storyboard and the test shots and mine was editing. When planning our clip we all found locations. For mine, as I thought we were more likely going to create a film outside, I found a church near where I lived and took photos when it was dark of it. When filming, I handled most of the camera work. As Alex was acting, Natalie and I dealt with the camera. It was better then as two opinions was better than one. When editing we all put our ideas forward, studying the clips repeatedly to see where it was best to cut and add different parts.
I feel our clip was a good attempt overall. If considering improvements I feel we could have spent more time on editing; we did spend a decent amount of time on it, editing just tends to be more complicated when we first think, spending as much time on it as possible helps. We could have looked at transitions to use. When filming we could have also spent a little bit more time on it; just taking a few more shots and different types just in case they were needed.
When it comes to my final coursework film, I think I’ll but ore consideration into props, make-up, etc. If I decide to change genre I want the make-up, etc, to be perfectly matched with which ever I chose. I also think its decent fun to do with a group and gives us more experience and diversity. I will also make sure I use a decent location, the one we used for our film was good but that was because we used the same place as the one we recreated, we were helped. For the final one, I won’t have that; therefore I want it to tick all the right boxes for a horror.
Katie Mckeag
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