Homework 28th Sept Part: 1

1) What did you think was the point to the activity?

I think the point to the activity was to teach us how to appreciate the neccessity of a storyboard and how important continuity is in filming. In this exercise we were told to create a short sequence compromised of six shots of an accident without editing it on the computer. From this exercise, we learnt how important narrative flow is in relation to the storyline.
We also learnt how each specific shot can help to contribute to the mood we try to create.

2) In regard to your finished sequence, what worked well?

This sequence has a wide variety of shots which I think were filmed well my myself and other members of my group. The first shot, an LS tracking shot is filmed quite steadily and the LA mid-shot is also framed very well. The pan around the subject is also done very well. All these different perspectives of the subject make the sequence on the whole more interesting to wach for the audience e.g. the tracking shots showing the subject alone in the field show just how immersed in his music he is.

3) What would you aim to improve about your sequence?

Firstly, the first shot, tracking the subject goes on too long. Later in the sequence, the second and third shot break the 180 degree rule. We unintentionally broke up the sequence by interrupting the continuity, and by doing this we end up confusing the audience's by shooting the subject from two completely contrasting angles.
There are also several glitches in the sequence from about 18 seconds onwards into the sequence from us trying to film over unsatisfactory shots.
We also unintentionally ended up including another person in the backgroud of the fourth shot.
Finally our accident looks too staged and unnatural and the ending is clumsy and messy as we had run out of time filming the sequence.

4) What did you learn from doing this activity?

I learnt that it is always essential to plan out the sequence on a storyboard before actually shooting it as not being organised caused us to rush the filming of the ending of our sequence. I also learnt how important continuity is when trying to achieve a realistic narrative flow. I also learnt certain important rules in filming, such as the 180 degree rule and the 30 degree, which help prevent confusion and disorientation for the audience.
This continuity exercise showed me how to create a continous flowing sequence by not only using a variety of shot types, but more importantly when to use them in order to create narrative flow.