Evaluation on Accident video

1. What did you think was the point to the activity?

The point was mainly to learn how to construct a clear and understandable narrative flow, meaning that we had to use a variety of camera shot and signifiers in our sequence to show the audience what was happening. However, it also meant that we learnt new rules from this exercise, for example the 180 degree rule which will help us when we do work later on. This activity was the first step on the way to producing and narrative sequence.

2. In regard to your finished sequence, what worked well?

I think that the first few shots of our sequence were good. We began with an establishing (or master) shot that showed the setting and what was happening. The next few shots were also done well; however, the ending wasn’t produced so well. We used a variety of shots that would normally be used in a narrative flow. We also made things obvious to the audience, achieving this by making sure that they could see the action take place. We didn’t break any of the basic rules of filming.

3. What would you aim to improve about your sequence?

I think that the ending of our piece was ruined by us beginning and ending filming at the wrong time. This meant that the sequence was broken up and the last two shots were harder for the viewers to understand as a result of this. The final shot was supposed to be of me lying on the ground looking unconcious dead. However, this obviously became unclear because of the shot before. In future we must be more careful when filming and make sure that we all know what we are doing before we shoot (especially since we only had one chance at getting this right). Also, I think that we should have made each shot slightly longer. Our sequence was fast paced, something unnecessary for this type of sequence, and this could be rectified. By doing this we would be able to make sure that the audience have the time to see things on the screen and take everything in.

4. What did you learn from doing this activity?

Each shot must be done in order to fit in with the style we are trying to convey i.e. we shouldn’t use fast paced action shots when doing an activity like this. I think that we made use of the wide shot well. I’ve also learned about the 180 degree rule (only shoot a narrative from one side of the action or else it may disorientate the viewers) and the 30 degree rule (the camera must move at least 30 degrees between shots in order for the camera work not to look shaky or jumpy).