Evaluation- Question 7- Imogen Evans

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

Camera Work

From the prelim task I have learned and improved camera work technics massively, this is shown in the prelim task where we did not film using the 180 degree rule which was a criteria to perform so we had to re film a separate piece of work to fill the criteria. Now in our final piece we used the 180 degree rule correctly which made the piece work well. I feel that our work progressed well with the knowledge of the 180 degree rule as it made the piece feel more spooky as you could see the antagonist from all angles.

Click here to see the blog post on the 180 degree rule.

Here is a sequence of not using the 180 degree rule in our first prelim film. Here we could have used the 180 degree rule to show her facial expressions when she walked through instead of shooting it from behind.

Here is the sequence of how we used the 180 degree rule in our improved prelim. By using the 180 degree rule it improved our sequence as it covered all the angles of the conversation giving the audience a better understanding of the relationship between the two people.

By re filming the 180 degree rule it has made us learn more about the use of camera work and how to use it effectively in our filming, here is the 180 degree rules in action in our final piece. This has helped us improve as we learnt from our mistakes which made our film look more dramatic and intense.

Sound

In our prelim task we could use any sound we wanted which made it easier for us to chose a non diegetic background piece. We used the American Horror Story soundtrack to make it sound creepy and intense.

Click here to hear it.

I have learned from my prelim how to find Foley's and edit them into the film using garage band, how to use a voice recorder and put it into the film, editing the recording into the right moment of the film.

We have improved our use of sound because in our main piece we had to use Foley's which we had not used before in our prelim, this meant locating Foley's on garage band and placing them into the right moment in our film.

Click here to see the blog post on Foley's we used.

This was proven hard because we had uneven moments in our film such as when door 1 opened, then door 2 followed in opening, this meant finding the direct point when the door opened and placing the Foley.

 As shown below is the two doors opening.

Here you can see door 1 opening

And here you can see door 2 opening, shortly after door 1's opening.

We did not plan on door 1 to be opening but because we were filming in college we could not anticipate if someone would come through the door.

*insert screenshot of the door opening foleys*

We also had to record a voice over for our dialogue to put into our piece, this involved using a voice recorder and using final cut pro to place it into the scene.

This is the voice recorder we used to record our dialogue which we wrote a script.

Click here to read the script.

For the final we could not use a copyrighted piece of music so we had to research and find non copyrighted music.

We had to research different types of genres and background tracks which would fit well as well as making sure it could download without being charged for it as we found on some websites.
Click here to see the blog post on finding sound.

Here is a picture of the problem we found when looking for background music, to solve this problem we used other websites.

We improved it by finding the right song off sound cloud. As shown below



Editing

Cuts

In the prelim we used slow fades between each shot to make the scene more intense and creepy, although it created an intense effect it became repetitive and too similar. I learnt from this experience not to over use fading to make the scene more creepy, instead slow the cuts down and pause on certain key moments.

*insert fading example from prelim*






An example in our final piece is when the antagonist approaches the grave, a close up is used to show his facial expressions and capture the image of his scar, by pausing the camera on this moment and making the scene longer. It establishes the identity of the character but creates a chilling effect still.

Graphic Match

We used graphic match in our final piece to make the antagonist look like he had never been there in the protagonists eyes leading to mystery and suspense. Although the graphic match was hard to film as we had to get the timings right to make it look like there was no antagonist it still worked well creating enigma and tension despite the difference of colour which we corrected on final cut pro.

Antagonist there & Antagonist not there

Titling

In our prelim we did not use titling as we did not have the time nor did it fit our piece. We based our titling sequence from the opening of 'The Lovely Bones'. Click here to see the opening. In the screenshots below you will see how they are similar but we changed ours slightly, we used our initials for our 'company' name which links to the email address.

Left Lovely Bones- Right Ours

For our final title we chose the word 'UNANSWERED?' because we felt it linked to our film of unanswered questions and the theme of the unknown but also creates mystery. We wanted a font which matched the opening but decided to go for a fractured effect to show brokenness which represents the feeling of the protagonist. Here is the font shown below

We took inspiration from the film title 'se7en' (click here to see the blog post about the film se7en) because it made the importance of the 7 stand out which is what we wanted to achieve but with a question mark instead which we planned to place in the middle of the title. Although after feedback from Andrew and Sophie we decided to not place a question mark in the middle as it seemed unprofessional and made the writing hard to read therefore we stuck to putting it on the end.  

Here is shown the different ideas we had for the titling

This is our final title.

Mise En Scene

In our prelim film we did not focus on aspects used for mise en scene as much as we did for the final film as admittedly the prelim was rushed so we learnt to put more time and effort into the aspects of mise en scene, therefore improving our film.

Costumes

In our prelim film we used basic costume ideas because of the changing of actors so the protagonist wore basic clothes like a teenage girl would wear and the antagonist wore a dark cloak to hide its identity.

The first picture is the antagonists cloak in the prelim and the second picture is the protagonist wearing a Christmas jumper which represents the season.

Our costumes have improved in our final film because we wanted them to look realistic and not over done like the cloak looked, we stuck to wearing causal clothes which a teenage boy would wear because it made it look more realistic.

The protagonist in causal clothing.

As the antagonist was hidden by the use of lighting to make his character more mysterious, you cannot see his costume very well but he has his hood up to cover his identity and to blend in with the settings.

Makeup

In our prelim film we did not both with makeup as there was no distinct feature we wanted to exploit so the protagonist had no makeup on as it did not matter and the antagonist didn't need any because the face was covered with the cloak.

 No makeup is needed here.

No makeup has been used here.

Our makeup has improved in our final piece because we wanted to make it look like a scar was on the antagonists face, this meant researching different methods of how to create the scar.

Click here to see the video of practising the scar.

Click here to see the blog post on the makeup we used to create the scar.

Here is the scar after practising.

This is the final product of the scar, it blended in well with the beard and it looks more bloody and gorey due to large amounts of red lip gloss.

Hair

For the prelim and the final piece we did not focus on the hair, this is because in our prelim the protagonist was desired to look as innocent as possible which meant leaving our actor how she originally was. The antagonist did not need attention to hair as the face was covered with a long black cloak.

Here the hair is normal and just tied up.

No hair has been shown here

In our final piece we improved our hair by making the protagonists flat to show the link between the two periods of time as if nothing has happened.

The top photos are shot outside when we first filmed and the bottom photos are shot the second time but in college. A different location is used but tom's hair is still the same making it more believable that it was a dream.

Props

We have improved our props massively because in our prelim film we used nothing at all so there were no distinct features of props so when filming our final piece we included lots of props.

The first prop we used as shown above is a cigarette. We used a cigarette to give the scene more mystery but the use of smoking is linked to stress which represents how the protagonist is feeling. We also felt it sets the scene up well as it gives a sense of tension and creates enigma. 

 The second props we used as shown above is pen and paper. We used pen and paper to represent the college environment the protagonist wakes up in. It gives the location more meaning as the props give it detail and location setting.

The third prop we used is fake blood. We used fake blood to create mystery and tension by leaving the audience on the edge of their seats as we placed the fake blood at the end of the opening to create a cliff hanger. This makes the audience think why does he have blood on his hands and will make them want to continue watching.






Location

I think we have improved on our location massively. In our prelim we only filmed in college limiting ourselves filming opportunities because we had to find a location where we could not be disturbed and be able to film. We chose stairs by the sports department where it could be easily intruded as sports students would come out for break.

These are the location in which we filmed our prelim in.


The first photo is the hallway where the protagonist walks down. The second photo is the main feature of our prelim which is the stairs, as we were restricted to where we could film it was very basic. The third photo is the second hallway which the protagonist runs down.
As you can see the location is very basic but we improved during our final piece.

We filmed the beginning of our opening at the Worth Way Walkover which is near Amy's house and goes over the M25. This was the perfect location to film at night because by it being dark it creates mystery and enigma as it was well lit making the audience only see distinct images which the camera focuses on.

This was easy to access and because we filmed at night there was no public to interrupt us.

We also filmed at St Nicholas Church, using a specific grave where one of Amy's relatives is buried. By lighting the grave stone it created an eerie effect which emphasised the location benefits. As it is a private place we need permission to film here, click here to watch the permission video. By filming in a graveyard it made the opening more scary as it gave connotations of death and panic because there were dead people buried near.

Our last location was Central Sussex College Haywards Heath where we filmed the scene which ended the opening. By filming in college we did not need permission so we managed to film fast and efficiently so that we could link up the film together. Filming in college made the idea of the protagonists experience just being a dream more real as it looks like he has just woken up in class. This is effective because it leaves the audience on a cliff-hanger.


Lighting

In our prelim our film was poorly lit because we were inexperienced with the equipment making our prelim lighting shaky and not covering all aspects of the location we were shooting. We improved this drastically by taking more care and time with the lighting to light the locations which was more important as we were filming in the dark and needed the actors facial expressions to be seen clearly which wouldn't have been able to happen if we didn't light it properly.

Here is a moment when poor lighting was used in the door you can see the reflection of the lighting making the piece look bad and unprofessional.

Again the lighting is reflected on the door giving the door a shimmery effect.




Here is how the lighting is improved.

Here the lighting has been used well, the actors face is clear and you cannot see into the darkness which creates mystery in the opening.

The lighting is used well in the shot because it is at a distance where the actors reflection is reflected on the lighting but is shown on the pavement. In order to shoot this, we had to use someone to run alongside the actor so that they could be fully lighted, this was tricky to do but it was worth it in the long haul.

Positioning

In our prelim we didn't use positioning much because the scene was fast paced meaning the cuts were positioned in fast paced scenarios. The main positioning is a foot placed when she is walking and when she is positioned walking down the stairs. These positioning show key moments of the walk along the way and is only used with the protagonist.

This shows the route of her descent down the stairs, the positioning isn't thought out massively which we took to improving on in our final piece.

The pictures shown below are our improved pieces of positioning in our final piece.

Body Language/Facial Expressions

In our prelim we did not focus on facial expressions so we had a limited variety of facial expressions in only key moments when the protagonist was shocked or panicked. Body language wasn't developed on much as the protagonist was meant to look as casual as possible but with the antagonist we developed body language so that you could not read the body language as it was a soul less creature with no emotions.

      Here are the 3 key facial expressions used.

The first photo is shot at the beginning of the scene where the protagonists looks causal and care free, this sets the scene of unknowing which makes the audience feel a stronger relationship for Katie as she starts off not being followed so the audience will feel sorry for her.

The second photo used facial expressions to show that she is confused but is beginning to understand that she is being followed, she captures this emotion by having a plain facial expression but by looking behind it proves she is on guard.

The third photo shows her realisation that she is being followed and the panic of the situation. This is expressed by her face being scrunched up and her eyes being wide and her jaw clenched as she is determined to get away. Facial expressions emphasise the fear and determination



         Here are the 3 key body language shots used.

The first photo is expressing how causal the protagonist is. By dropping her shoulders and having a slouched body fixture it emphasises how she has no fear and is calm about the situation, it gives the audience an edge as they know something that the character doesn't, this creates enigma and tension.

The second photo is of the antagonist walking down the stairs following Katie. The antagonist has a posture which is upright but does not give any specific key characteristics about themselves which could be used to identify them.

The third photo is when the protagonist starts to run. Her body language is positioned in a running fix so she is poised forward to show she is in a panic. By her arms being upright it emphasises her not being causal like she was shown in the first picture but instead on edge.

We improved facial expressions and body language in our final piece by putting more time into planning our story board for the film. Click here to see our storyboard. We also took the time to talk to the actors to get them to portray the emotions we wanted them to show, an example is we had to ask Tom to imagine if he was in the situation that his Mother had mysteriously disappeared, he showed emotions of anger but sadness.

       Here the 4 key facial expressions used

The first photo is shot at the beginning of the opening. As our actor smokes the cigarette his face is slanted away the camera to make it look like he's looking into the distance, this resembles remorse and sadness as his facial expressions show confusion by slightly closing his eyes.

The second photo used shows sadness but anger. Facial expressions express this by him squinting his eyes as if he is trying not to cry and bowing his head out of remorse and forgiveness. By Tom clenching his jaw this shows his angry side as if he believes he is to blame for his Mother's disappearance.

The third photo is of the antagonist first approaching the protagonist. His facial expressions have a tight grin as if he feels pleasure of seeing someone suffer but it also looks like he is grimacing to see someone in the pain.

The fourth photo is used to show sadness and regret. By the actor closing his eyes and sighing it is showing that he is stressed and upset about the situation. By using a close up you can fully see his facial expressions which emphasised the pain.

    Here are the 3 key body language shots.

The first photo is shot at the beginning of the opening. Here the actor has banged the railing and is leaning against it. His body language shows he is angry as he is slouched over and by hitting the railing it shows aggression, he is leant forward which emphasises he is in a hurry but regrets his decision of hitting the railing because his head is bowed out of remorse and regret.

The second photo shows sadness and adds extreme emotion because the protagonist is on his knees by his mothers grave holding his hands out as if to say why did this happen? This adds mystery and keeps the audience interested as it is a cliff hanger which set the film up nicely. As he is on his knees it shows that he is trying to pray for her to come back, this makes him look vulnerable and innocent.

The third photo is showing an emotional relationship between the Son as he is stroking his grave. By using an Over The Shoulder shot it hides the facial expressions of the actor which only portrays his body language.