Practical work – Initial filmed sequence

This video was produced by Me, Clare Dodkins and Sinead Melloy and our actors in this clip were Imogen Smith and Alex Large.

Pre Production
To facilitate the shoot our group blocked and rehearsed the actors in order for them to be prepared for the filming to get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible. In our group we also decided camera angles from the storyboard and extra shots that we wanted to have in our sequence. The camera was already set up for us prior to the filming. In addition the script and storyboard were also made for us previously and given to us on the day of the filming.
What we could have done better for pre production was having a better location in which we could have further developed the shots. We could have also been more organised before the filming by practicing with the cameras prior to the shoot and planned more shots, even though we were unaware of the activity, so we could have related them to what we have to film.

Production
What we did was to film a conversation between two people, using a storyboard issued to us on the day including shots such as close-ups, over the shoulder and wide shots. And also to develop further shots that weren’t shown on the storyboard whilst all the time taking into account the rule of 180 degrees. In which the camera must not cross the 180degrees, or the shot wouldn’t work from a viewer’s point of view.
I was the camera operator in my group, Sinead was the continuity girl and Clare was the director. Therefore my job was to operate the camera and take direction from the director in order to shoot the film relating to the shots that were on the storyboard.
I thought our group worked very well together, and as group we made effective and decisive decisions that made the production stage very professional. Having good communication on the day is the most important factor in order to make it worth while and I felt our group communicated very well and all came up with original ideas for the way in which we shot our sequence. Though sometimes we got a bit carried away with ideas and though we didn’t end up shooting them, it did waste some valuable time that we could have otherwise been shooting in.

Post Production
What went right in the shooting was that we managed to film the sequence on the storyboard quickly and effectively, therefore having the majority of the time allocated developing different and interesting other shots of the sequence. So our group ended up with a variety of unique shots, and fulfilling the aim of the task successfully. We could have though improved our use of space of the set as we limited ourselves to one section of the room. So if we had planned/organised it further we could have made it more interesting and came up with a better and more developed outcome.
What I have learned from this task and working in a group is that organisation is the key, and without it a successful filming would not happen. When working the cameras it is important to make sure the focus is correct. And the way in which this is done is to pan in on an area of each shot and focus the shot and then pan out. Also what I have learned from being the camera operator is that it is essential to check that everything on the camera is appropriate to the surroundings, for example that if a filter is needed or white balance that it is in place on the camera. Another important aspect is that if there is too much talking, not from the director less work will get done. So you have to work efficiently in a group and work in the positions that you are in, in order to have a successful shoot.