Looking back at our preliminary task, I feel that there were a number of mistakes we made during pre- and production that we have identified and improved upon for our main task. For example, as my group and I were new to this, we didn’t plan everything correctly and often cut corners. On shooting day we forgot to bring a copy of the script to set so I had to download it from my blog 5 minutes before call time. To ensure this didn't happen anything we planned everything a lot better and more in advance for our main task. We had a treatment, screenplay, risk assessment, storyboards, shot list, casting, costume, makeup, and location research, an equipment list, planned title, music and sfx before editing, and created a filming and editing log during production.
In terms of camera, our preliminary task used mostly straight shots at eye level, our most advanced shots were a track through the hallway, a pan to show the character looking around, and a tilt from the floor to eye level. In our main task we decided to be more confident with our abilities and used shots such as a pan from the radio to Emily, and extreme close ups on her face, hands and the rope. The choice of using a pan to open the film instead of an establishing shot was a risk because this is uncommon, but we decided to be more outgoing in our creative choices and this clearly paid off.
For editing, both films were edited on Adobe Premiere Pro. I was previously competent with this software and therefore I was able to edit fluently on both tasks. However, we used a lot more editing skills on the main task and this made our work a lot better. For example, we also used another piece of software called Final Cut Pro to create our titles and the text on screen because it had the right font. We created these on a chroma key background and then used the Ultra Key tool to place this text over the footage onscreen.
Colour grading was used on both, our preliminary task was graded to be darker and more contrasted to reflect the uneasiness of the plot. In our main task, as we filmed in three different locations and used natural lighting, we had to adjust the exposures to balance the light across the whole film. I also added contrast which enhanced the shadows and made it seem creepier.
Sound was also something we improved on from our preliminary to our main task. In our preliminary task we didn't use music and the diagetic sound was unnatural, for example it is completely silent as the protagonist walks into the room, with no footsteps, but then there is a sudden loud noise as a door closes, which seems out of place.
We made sure natural sound was a priority when editing our main task, so we recorded our own ambience, and used footsteps, doors opening and sounds of the stone cutting the rope to make it sound as realistic as possible.
Finally, we wanted to show we had improved from our preliminary task so we decided to make the plot a lot more mature. Our preliminary was cartoonish and exaggerated, so we wanted to tackle a more controversial subject, made immediately obvious by the opening shot displaying a girl in distress.
Being aware of the mistakes we made in the preliminary task helped us to improve for our main task and to create a film that we’re happy with. It mostly helped with our overall planning and organisation, which made pre- and post-production a lot easier.
On the whole, I have learnt a lot from my preliminary task and I have been able to apply that to my main task, allowing me to create my best possible work.
