Cutaway scene evaluation

In this task, my main learning objective was to achieve how to use the camera promptly according to our storyboard sequence. This is because it was a different role than to my previous task. I did this by, for example, when I was given the storyboard, I set the camera to all the angles and shots of how we planned them.

Personally, I feel that this was one of the weakest tasks I have done so far. One weakness was our timing. For example, we were only given 10 minutes worth of planning and less than 30 minutes to film. To improve, I think we should sit together as a group and discuss the planning. This is because I was sent off to set up the camera and I was not aware of what to shoot, and as Antoinette had to explain the storyboard to me it wasted our filming time. As a team, I feel it was working quite slow. For example, if we planned well in the start then we wouldn't have wasted time while filming.

I also think our previous task was much better as it was planned well, and even though there were more obstacles in the previous task, I feel we still were able to execute our task well. For example, we planned well the day before we started filming which did not waste any lesson time. However, as we were filming we did not have to show many different techniques as the task was to simply show a cutaway scene. For example, as it was a shorter scene, it made it easier to film as there were just 6 shots.

However, I feel that when it came to filming, some of our storyboard sequence was not correct. For example, in shot 3 we were confused about what it really was. Then to solve this issue we shot the scene as we went along to make continuity. We did this so it made sense to our story. Our filming was also slowed down. For example, as we were filming outside we had to wait for silence and made sure people were not in the background. This task was quite hectic as well and at times. For example, towards the end we ran out of time and we had to rush the last shots. This made our task unsuccessful.

Now I have experienced the positive and negatives, in future short film tasks I will now know what exactly to expect and make sure we plan well. For example, I will make sure that as a group we ensure that everyone has a good understanding of what and how we are filming before we start. In my opinion I feel that I did achieve my learning objective and I feel that although there were many obstacles during filming, I was still able to execute my task well. For example, when I knew what angle the shot is taken from it was simple to set the camera there. I also felt comfortable to film and I gained confidence to use a camera well.

Digital and Analogue Film making

Analogue filming:

In the 20^th century analogue filming was mainly used as it was newly introduced. It hasn’t been long since this traditional method of filming became more advanced with new technologies. But as we are progressing into the 21^st century, we should not forget the realism and the real quality of watching classic films, all made from analogue filming. Hollywood’s all time classics such as “Marry Poppins” (1964) produced by Walt Disney, had the budget of $600 000. “Bugsy Malone” (1976) had the budget of $1 million US dollars. Although analogue filming can be expensive and a longer process, it is the time spent that makes quality in a good film. Analogue films also have a real factor which I believe engages the audience. It worked well in that time period and I feel it should always be remembered.

Digital V Analogue:

Digital filming is now the new way of creating and editing films. It is a shorter process than analogue and easily accessed. However, people argue that digital filming is very unrealistic and production costs too much money. Special effects can show unrealism and it may loose the connection between the film and the audience as they cannot relate to it. But sometimes special effects enable the audience to escape into a fantasy world which makes entertainment as the audience have not seen anything like it before. Although production and the special effects involve a lot of cost, it still makes good blockbuster movies. It is also the same for analogue films, money is also spent on the production and yet we still resulted in good all time classics that are even popular today.

Another argument is that digital filming equipment can be accessed by anyone and we can film whatever we please, as technology has become so advanced that we can do this even at home. This is because everyone especially young people can buy a small HD video camera and create their own movies in their own personal ways. Unlike analogue is too complex and hard to make changes, as in digital you can always add or delete elements such as background noise. Even though we may have digital technology to improve certain elements in film production, many years back directors were still able to create enjoyable blockbuster hits as back then, the audience had small expectations. However too many digital films are ruining the beauty of old films and are starting to manipulate the way today’s generation think about old movies. For example, on TV if a film is black and white, people automatically change the channel because now some of those types of films are frowned upon. This is only because digital technology has taken over Hollywood and as an audience we always expect to watch something new and interesting.

Today in the media industry, we have to always be ahead of the audience’s expectations. We have to move on into the 21^st century with more advanced technology on our side to enhance the feel of not only watching the movie, but making the audience feel that they are also involved. I believe it is important that the audience can relate to a movie’s storyline and also feel fantasy experiences. For example, now we have movies in 3D which really do put the audience in the film situation. I think this is real entertainment and as people are expecting more from films, the media industry will continue to find new techniques of keeping us as an audience entertained. Also it does not matter how much money is spent on a film whether it’s analogue or digital. If it relates to many audiences, and has a great storyline, with great quality captured on the camera and if it is executed in the correct way, any movie could be a worldwide blockbuster.

Here is a great video to explain further points on both digital and analogue film making :

Preliminary Task Evaluation

Preliminary Task Eval Presentation

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