Preliminary Task

Our preliminary task was a continuity task which would show our knowledge and understanding of the following:

Match on action:  A match on action, a technique used in film editing, is a cut that connects two different views of the same action at the same moment in the movement. By carefully matching the movement across the two shots, filmmakers make it seem that the motion continues uninterrupted. For a real match on action, the action should begin in the first shot and end in the second shot

Shot reverse shot: Shot reverse shot (or shot/countershot) is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other

The 180 degree rule: The 180° rule is a basic guideline in film making that states that two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line. The new shot, from the opposite side, is known as a reverse angle

For my group’s preliminary task we chose to show that we understood all of these elements of filming in a scene which was based on the idea: ‘late to lesson’.  We started off by two of us meeting complaining we were late and walking towards school.

We used a Canon XM2 DV camera and a Libec TH650-DV Tripod to film.

We had some difficulties with the tape at first, the work we filmed could not be seen properly because the tape was old. We changed the location again and chose to work in school at the reception entrance with one character coming through the doors finding another standing shouting at him that they’re late and they both go down the stairs to their lesson.

We used  shot reverse shot when the two characters had a conversation.  We used match on action when the two characters passed an object to eachother.  The 180-degree rule was used throughout.

The filming was done by Ahmed Nasser, whilst the acting was done by Soukina and Shalimar.  We together as a group planned how our idea would demonstrate the above elements.

Soukina =]