AS Evaluation- Question 7

The purpose of the Preliminary task was for my group and I to begin to understand and learn how the camera, tripod and editing software worked. The purpose of doing a preliminary task was for us to use the equipment for the first time and when it came to filming, then, we were able to know how everything worked and would therefore have no troubles when it came to filming and editing our sequence. I believed that the preliminary task was very useful for me as I believe that I learned a lot, especially about the editing software and camera. I got to grips with the technology I would be using to create my sequence. I also believe that without the preliminary task, the filming and editing process would of been a much more difficult task to complete, but with my prior knowledge, it was an easy process. 

When the group and I first got given the camera and the tripod, we were unsure of how to use them correctly. For example, we were unsure of how to zoom in and out on the camera. We were also unsure of how the camera attached to the tripod. In order to overcome these problems, myself and my group took it in turns to film. I was the first person to film the first part of the clip, I made sure that I was holding the camera steady and I ssuccessfully zoomed in and out. As well as making sure of these things, I used many different camera angles when filming. I did this as when it came to filming the thriller sequence, I knew how to manoeuvre the camera correctly to create different angles. I also did this to test out the different angles that we could use and then see which ones looked good and then ones that wouldn't work as well. 



The tripod was the next piece of equipment that my group and I had to use within the preliminary task. When we were first given the tripod, we were all unsure of what use this would have for us when filming. Myself and my group believed that the tripod would not be needed when filming our thriller sequence. However, from the preliminary task, we understood that actually the tripod would come in great use in order to create different cinematography effects. We used the tripod in the preliminary to create a steady long shot angle. This is seen when I am sitting on the floor and Freddie Conway, one of my group members walks in past me. Because of the success this had on the preliminary task, we encorporated this angle into our final sequence. During this task, we also learnt how the camera successfully attaches to the tripod, how the tripod can be used and how to manouvre it correctly.

The final part of the preliminary task was to edit the clips we had filmed during the task. The editing software we used was Final Cut Pro X. This part of the task enabled us to see how the software worked and what had to be done to edit the clips together and make the clip run smoothly. The software at first looked hard to use, however, having time to look at it and practice on it we were able to use it successfully by the end of the task. 

Overall, from the preliminary task to my final product, I feel like I have learned a lot during the process. When filming for the final product, the process of this was quick and easy as I had previous knowledge on how to use the camera. During filming, I learned a lot more about the camera I was using. I learned that you could turn the screen around, so, when you were filming yourself, you could see what you were doing. This became extremely helpful with the handheld and close-up shot of the main character running as Heather was able to see what she was doing, enabling for the frame to be successful. The next thing I learned whilst filming for the final product was about the editing software. During the preliminary task, editing was a difficult task to complete as I had never used it before. However, because of my previous knowledge I had some idea of what had to be done. I learned a lot about Final Cut Pro X when editing. The first thing was the effects that could be put over the top of the clip. I added an effect on my sequence in order to create an eerie feel as the effect darkened the film. The next thing I learned was about the sounds that could be included and also taken away from the sequence. My group and I decided to add a soundtrack over the top of the sequence in order to create an eerie and suspense building feel. We downloaded the sounds onto the computer and then imported them onto Final Cut Pro X. The next thing I learned to do was deduct sound from the sequence. I wanted only the soundtrack to play at one point of the sequence, when the character is running away. In order to do this, we had to turn down the sound from the original clip and turn the volume up of the soundtrack. I was unaware this was possible, yet, whilst editing I found many things that could be done. 

I believe that the preliminary task was effective and extremely useful for my group and I as we learned the basic skills of how to film and edit and then use these skills when filming for the final product. However, looking back at the preliminary task and the final product, I feel that my skills had developed vastly.