7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product

In my preliminary task I learnt a lot about continuity editing and how to make my work flow effectively and not look jumpy and unprofessional.

The aspects of continuity editing that I learnt were:

• Match on action - when the character opened the door, we filmed this action from a couple of angles, so we used match on action as the door was open at the same angle to show continuity as otherwise it wouldn't have look professional.
• Eye line match - this was used when the character opens the door, and then it cuts to the other character looking at the direction of the door, we then cut back to the character who opened the door.  This shows what the character was looking at, by cutting to his perspective.
• 180 rule - this was used when the two characters were having a conversation, we had to film on one side of the table as otherwise it would break the 180 rule, and would be unclear as to who the characters were talking to.

We applied some these aspects of continuity editing to out media project in a similar way to the preliminary task.

• Match on action - we used this several times, for example when our MP character placed his suitcase on the floor. We made sure that the two shots we used to show this action had the bag at the same level to show continuity.
• Eye line match - we decided not to use eye line match as the two characters were not with each other, and also we decided to use cross cutting between the two characters, so eye line match would not have worked due to this.
• 180 rule - we kept the 180 rule in mind at all time while filming and editing, and used this a lot in our opening sequence. An example of where we kept to it was when the MP character was on his laptop, we only stayed on one side of the character to keep this continuity and not break the rule.

Overall, my preliminary task has taught me a lot about continuity editing and the aspects of how to keep to it.  It has made our media project much better as we have kept these aspects in mind at all time, and made sure that we didn't break any of the rules.

Personal Skills

• Confidence - In my preliminary task I was working with friends so it was easy for me to voice my opinions. However in my main task I was working with people that I usually wouldn't work with, but I still kept my level of confidence and found it easy to communicate with my group members.
• Team Work - As I was working with friends our teamwork wasn't as good as we messed around a bit and had a more laid back approach. In my main task though, we were much more organised and more efficient in the way that we worked.
• Creativity - In my preliminary task we had to focus mainly on continuity editing, so our creativity wasn't as high as it could've been. But, in my main task we were given much more freedom to use different shots and editing techniques. In my main task I used a wider variety of shots, e.g. used a crab from going to one character to another.
• Taking a lead role - I took more of a lead role in the main task, as I stepped forward to film at my house, which also shows my confidence had increased also. I also took a lead role in organising where and when to film.

Technical/Media Skills

• Using a range of technologies - In the preliminary taks I used more basic technologies as I wasn't used to the more advanced technologies. I also used learnt how to use new technologies, such as LiveType for titles, and photoshop to help alter some images.
• Specialising in a paticular role - In my preliminary task me and my group split the different roles up evenly, but in the main task I took more of a lead role in term of cinematography and editing. This also helped to improve my skills in these areas.
• Using media language to create meaning - In the preliminary task I didn't take the micro-elements into consideration, so our task wasn't as effective as it could have been. But, in the main task me and my group thought more about the micro-elements, such as we wanted to have low-key lighting in some shots, and we wanted to keep the pace of the editing as fast as possible to keep the intensity of the piece high.
• Creating a professional product - In the preliminary taak we didn't have as much time, so it wasn't perfect and we couldn't refilm some of the shots if we needed to. However, in the main taks we had much more time so we could refilm any shots that weren't right to help keep the piece to a professional standard, such as acting problems that we overcame by refilming them.
• Attention to detail -  Similar to creating a professional product we were able to refilm some shots that weren't right or didn't fit into the piece. We also payed more attention the props and setting used to help reinforce the mood and atmosphere that we wanted to acheive.
• Considering genre, audience and representation - We picked a specific genre in our main taks which helped us to plan what shots we wanted to have in our piece, and also what shots would appeal to ur audince was a key thought when filming.

The general improvements from my preliminary to my main taks were that the quality of the shots were of a much higher standard, and also the new cinematography techniques that I learnt were also put in place. We were also much more organised which helped us to get all our filimng done in time. 

Below is a presentation further highlighting the changes that I have made from preliminary to main task.

Preliminary Task on Prezi