Question time...7

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

I feel that we have come a long way from our preliminary task. We learnt a lot of essential skills from doing the preliminary, but we learnt far more doing the opening sequence. It was more of a challenge having to create a 3 minute film rather than 20 seconds, we needed to create a 3 minute narrative this time so therefore needed to have more ideas. Fortunately we were all feeling creative during the process, as we had lots of ideas in the planning stages and throughout working on it we came up with even more.

Improvements from the preliminary:
In the preliminary we didn’t use any music, so when creating our media product this time we ensured we used music, which helped to create the appropriate atmosphere, and allowed us to manipulate the viewers’ emotions.
Also n the preliminary we didn’t use a tripod leading to some shots being shaky, however in our opening sequence we ensured we use a tripod, to get a stiller and better quality shots. This added to the quality of our film.
We used a wider range of shots in our opening sequence than we did in the preliminary and used them appropriately to fit in with the storyline.

I think we found the editing harder when creating the opening sequence to the preliminary because we had much more to edit, and it was hard to make sure it all ran smoothly. We also experienced problems with the software where we had to do some of it again because it hadn't saved properly.
As we filmed over several days, we had to ensure we kept continuity, we took pictures of what the characters were wearing to ensure we looked the same each time, and we also tried to ensure if shooting the shot from different angles we would make sure we repeated the same actions in the same way, with the same objects in the correct hands etc.
Also...I must admit...I disliked it when we got rid of shots that we liked either because they didn't work with the sequence or there wasn't enough time to include it in the sequence. But that's just me being clingy.

Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of creating our media product. It has been hard work and difficult at times, but very enjoyable, fun and rewarding. I've loved working with my group. I've learnt plenty about the film industry and what is required just to make a 3 minute opening sequence. Also I have learnt new skills through doing this, which is very pleasing! I'm looking forward to doing Media next year :D