Evaluation

In order for us to produce this task we had to be placed into group consisting of between 4 and 5 people. As a group we had to deconstruct and reconstruct the opening sequence of ‘the maltese falcon,’ by creating a storyboard, handing out roles between the members of the group, decide on locations, props and costumes.

I feel from this task I have gained some new skills; there are working to a shooting schedule, using inniative when plans are going wrong, shooting different camera angles. The final piece was not as long as we intended it to be, due to shooting problems, and continuity errors within costume and settings, this has taught me and the group members that pre planning thoroughly is essential to make a film and produce it thoroughly on time.

Along with the positives that came with making this preliminary piece, we also had some problems to face, Amy Fenwick (the storyboard artist in our group) was ill for the majority of our lessons together, making it awkward for us to prove that we were planned enough to shoot. We overcame this problem by filming in a room within college which had an overhead projector inside, so that we could watch the film whilst we were shooting, this was to make sure we got the best camera angles to match the piece we were reconstructing as possible. However, one thing which we did not do, was shoot all of the scenes from one camera angle at the same time, so we did not have continuity between the over the shoulder shots.

The room that we had planned to shoot in within college was a small office, used for exams, however, when it came to our first day to shoot the fire alarm went off, meaning that was one lesson less for us to shoot, but the other times the room was also full, making it harder for us to shoot in there, leading to a scene change on our last day of shooting, which is noticeable within our final piece through the change in scenery. One way of which we could have got over this would be too make sure we plan with Selena (the officer in charge of the room), when we are able to use the room during our lessons, study periods or own time.

Using the editing suite also proved a problem for our group, we had used a camera which took tape, meaning that when we put the footage onto the editing suite, we lost some of our footage in the process and also had to sort through some other pieces checking what was needed and what was not. Because there were a few of us in the group, it made it difficult for us all to do some editing, around one suite. Although a positive of this experience is that I know when I shoot my final piece, to use a memory stick if possible as the technology is much more reliable.

I feel from this piece of work, I have learnt to use camera angles effectively, use editing suites with ease but also that working as a team is essential in making a successful clip. If I was to do this again, I would use better planning and also making sure that everyone is aware of the script.

Monday, 1 October 2012

Deconstruction + Reconstruction Plan

Group:
Katie Smith (www.katiesmitha2.blogspot.com)
Ellie Walker (www.elliewalkera2filmstudies.blogspot.co.uk)
Harley Young (www.harleyyoungfilmstudies.blogspot.com)
Amy Fenwick (www.a2filmstudiesamyfenwick.blogspot.co.uk)
Bethany Hirons (www.bethanyhironsfilmstudiesa2.blogspot.com)

Director - Amy Fenwick
Producer - Beth Hirons
Camera Operator - Ellie Walker
Storyboard Artist - Amy Fenwick
Production Manager - Harley Young
Editor - Katie Smith

Actors:
Spade - Harley Young
Archer - Katie Smith
Miss Wonderly - Beth Hirons
Effie - Ellie Walker

Possible location:
Oak 37
Green Room
College Field

Costume:
Spade - Black suit
Effie - Dark dress
Miss Wonderly - Dark womens suit, Faux fur around neck, Fascinator, black gloves
Archer - Trilby, dark suit, flower in front pocket.

Props:
Cigarette Skin, Fake Cigarette, Hand bag, Pen + Paper, Gun, Teabag