This whole exercise of producing a preliminary to a main task was one that challenged my creativity, my practical skills at handling technology but also my becoming more familiar with film theories, understanding media language and most importantly being able to critique one’s own work after production.
The preliminary task was quite straightforward in the way that I had to follow a set brief where I had to use shot reverse shot, 180 degree rule and match on action.
Even though it may seem easy to achieve after looking at a range of examples from real texts, when actually practising these shots for the first time, I did encounter a few challenges. For example, choosing my cast was not carried out with clear specifics for the role that my actors needed to play.
Even if on paper the script and the plan looked promising, I realised if it was not for editing, the preliminary task would not have been realised to that extent.
But when I planned for the main task, I made sure that a proper casting exercise was done where my expectations were clearly explained. The outcome is better in the main task than the preliminary though I am aware that there is still room for improvement considering that the boys playing the part in my main task are not actors in real life. But what I have learnt from this experience is the importance of casting the right person for a role.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt from in the progression of it to the full product?