Evaluation question 7

Looking back on my preliminary task, I feel that I have learnt a great deal through the progression to my final full product. 

Because I learnt in my preliminary task how to shoot both conversation and walking, I was able to construct sequences envolving these relatively easliy. 

In convesation I used the 180 degree rule, however this is not obvious because the conversation is brief and short.  I also used angles that I learnt since my preliminary task, for example the high angle shot I use to show Tom in the conversation.  This makes him appear inferior and vulnerable.

In filming the walking sequences I learnt that there are many ways of shooting them and I tried to use as many different angles as possible to make the walking sequences more interesting than if they were just taken simply with one shot.  This, as I learnt was hugely time consuming because of the repeating that was needed in order to get the desired shots for a sequence and this was the most demanding and difficult when filming the motorbike.  I am now aware of what it takes to get a well cut sequence with good continunuity etc. 

Since my preliminary task I have gained confidence in storyboarding and various planning methods like shot lists for example (although they inevitably vary when actually shooting).  I have improved immensely in my editing skills and my efficiency in it, specifically I am most pleased that I learnt how to speed/slow down moving image.  In editing I chose to use a mix of cuts, fades and dissolves.  I used fades to black to introduce characters and dissolves where I felt looked best.  When I used dissolves I felt they added a timeless feel which worked well with the lonliness of Toms character.

In the preliminary task we did not have any soundtrack that was non-diagetic and so I learnt how to record instruments using Cubase 5.  Although I had done this before, I had never imported a video file on to cubase or recorded several instruments at once. 

I was working with Tom on the project, I did all of the filming for our thriller production.  I made the soundtrack with help from my brother and friend.  I did most of the editing while with Tom, we discussed ideas. Both me and Tom did the titles together.

Our audience feedback has been mixed but mostly positive.  The negative feedback that we expected was the quality/standard of acting.  We did have negative feedback because of this but the majority reaction was good. 

I believe that the strongest point of the film was simply within the soundtrack and some of the shot types and angles that I used. I also believe that the weaknesses within the film are possibly some aspects of the storyline and how much sense the viewer can make of it.  This came across in our audience feedback.