Continuity Task 2 Evaluation

1. What was your role in the task and what did you actually do?

My main role in this task was to act as the teacher in our short video. I also helped to produce the video, by helping to keep to our schedule to shoot within the allocated time and ensuring the set was dressed and helping to dress the set to achieve the desired look. I was co-screenwriter, helping to write the dialogue and 'stage directions' for dramatic effects. Also, I was directing along with the rest of my group as we collectively chose camera placement and angles. We also discussed camera angles and distance to match our approved storyboard. I edited our version of the task with Raymond - discussing our edit and putting the edit together.

2. What factors did you have to take into account when planning, filming and editing?

When planning we had to consider creating a clear narrative, rough camera placement and angles to help create the storyboard and plan how to dress the room. Our planning had to take into consideration the other groups filming schedule as we had to share a communal area. While shooting, we had to consider the continuity of limbs, people's placement in the frame and dialogue and tone of voice as this was, over everything, our main aim and therefore our main priority. While editing, we had to match on the action and cut shots together in a plausible sequence in a realistic amount of time. 

3.  How successful was your sequence? Did you manage to demonstrate match on action, shot-reverse shot and 180-degree rule? Did you achieve continuity overall? (WWW/EBI) Did you fill the demands of the brief? 

Our sequence was reasonably successful as we managed to match on the action, successfully showed shot and reverse-shot, all while sticking to the 180-degree rule. However, we did not achieve full continuity as some of the actors' limbs were in different places in different shots. This made editing to fulfill the brief increasingly difficulty and our edit was compromised to try to reduce the inconsistent continuity.

4. What have you learnt from completing this task? How might this learning impact on future video production work?

From this task, I have learnt how to match on the action and shoot with dialogue within the 180-degree rule while achieving clear narrative flow. In the future, I will remember to ensure each take is shot exactly the same way with the actors and limbs in the same position. 

Continuity Task 1 Evaluation

1. Explain the story of your video?

Our story followed a boy, who was running until he falls over. The first shot is an extreme close-up of the boy's face. The second shot is a low shot of the boy running off. The third shot is a worm-eye view of the boy jumping and clearing a seemingly large obstacle. The fourth shot shows a mid-shot of the boy running towards the camera and he runs past the camera. The fifth shot is a long-shot of the boy jumping and falling over a small obstacle and the sixth shot is a high-shot looking down at the boy on the floor. 

2. How did you attempt to create 'narrative flow' (continuity)?

The narrative flow was established by the use of quick cuts towards the beginning for dramatic effect. Low camera angles with no establishing shot create an ominous sense of suspense and show the action as grand and impressive. The comedic aspect is brought by the juxtaposition between the low and close up shots to the long shot - which belittles the action and changes the pace and scale of the action on screen. We aimed to create continuity by running through the entire scenario before recording the necessary segment to create realistic action and movement. We also aimed to match on the action; which was sometimes carried out correctly and effectively. 

3. Did you achieve full continuity? If not, why not?

We did not achieve full continuity as shots three and four have some repetitive movement where they should seamlessly join. There is also a gap between shot five and six, where the action isn't matched - shown by a missing piece of the action in between the shots.

4. In hindsight, what would you do differently to improve the narrative flow of your video and tell your story more effectively?

In hindsight, I would leave the shots the same but make shot one quicker to increase dramatic effect. I would also match on the action better between shots three and four and shots five and six.