Preliminary Task Evaluation

Our short video 'The Deal' was made using a variety of different shots ranging from extreme long shots to extreme close ups. We used an over the shoulder shot of the man walking in the room, and then extreme close ups of part of his face, this was to help add mystery to the video as you never get to see who the man actually is.
We also used sound effects for the door opening and closing as the original sounds were distorted. To edit the video we cut out the parts we didn't need so that when all the video extracts go together they look like one scene (match on action). Also, we added music to the video which helps build up tension and suspense. The music starts of calm and quiet, then builds up until the conversation starts. Then it suddenly comes back on, after the conversation (as it cuts suddenly to the credits) but louder and faster.
The 180 degree rule was used in our video to help avoid confusion with what's going on; the 180 degree rule helps keep the narrative readable. When there is dialogue in the film, we used shot/reverse shots; when a person talks they are have the camera facing them, this was to help get the audience involved in the video as it looks a lot like POV (point of view) shot which can get the audience to feel like they are in the film.
In the planning stage of making the video we were able to use technology to aid us; we used computers to help draw up neat, accurate shooting maps, print of templates for the storyboard and write the script on. When constructing the video, we were able to use digital cameras to film with. The digital cameras were useful as we could attach them straight to the computer to upload what we filmed. Then were able to edit our film straight away using video editing software that is on the school computers. Being able to use such technology helped us be more independent on making the video, due to us not having to rely on other people to do such tasks as putting the video onto computer. Also, we were able to digitally cut the video, rather than have to cut the actual physical film - this is a major advantage as if we made a mistake we could undo it, and it is a lot less time consuming.
Our film has both strengths and weaknesses; the main weakness with our video is that we may have cut it down too much so the shot transitions are to quick and 'snappy'. Also, on the over the shoulder shot, the camera is a bit shakey at times. However, we had access to camera tripods, which we then used for all the non-moving shots (this helped keep the camera still).
We had our media class fill in some 'peer assessment forms' from which we were able to determine whether we met the brief correctly. Also, we used them to evaluate the quality of the editing and filming of our video. We used this criticism to help evaluate our video on its strengths and weaknesses, and to back up whether we met the brief or not.
All 18 of the forms we had people fill in showed that they thought: the 180degree rule use was either good or excellent, the match on action was either good or excellent, the editing being smooth was either good or excellent, and the ability to hold the camera still was as good or excellent, except 3 who put limited.
Overall, our film was successful in meeting the 'brief' of the task; we were able to successfully film a character opening a door, walking though it, then having a conversation with someone else. We were able to do this with the 'match on action' being correct/accurate, using the required shot/reverse shots and by sticking to the 180 degree rule.