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

What was the preliminary task and what were its main aims?
The preliminary task was set to give each group first hand experience on what it is like to create a media product. We were all set the task of creating a short thirty second production which allowed us to show what we already know about film production and to experiment with the different types of technology we would be using. The aim of the preliminary task was to give each person in the group to experience working with all different production roles and seeing which ones suited their preference the best. In our group we noticed that Katie enjoy directing and that Carlie enjoyed acting and editing. Whereas myself I enjoyed editing the footage we had.










Identify four things you are now better with and more confident with doing in terms of filming and editing.

• Since producing the preliminary task, my group has realised that when it comes to filming we have a strength at portraying and using a variety of cinematography throughout our production.
•  A personal improvement I have achieved since the preliminary task, is being more confident when filming with the camera. I am now able to make clean and precise shots which will lower the amount of editing me and my group would have to do after.

Looking back at our preliminary task we see that we have used transition from one shot to another, that are unsuitable and overdramatic.

•  Whilst we edited our thriller production we learnt how to use appropriate transitions and effects that benefit our end product. Another personal skill I have improved upon is cutting and editing footage; I have learnt to be much more precise and time things in a better manner.

The preliminary task was our first group activity that pointed out our weaknesses and our strengths. After the preliminary we got together as a group and decided on every aspect of what our thriller would need and involve. This includes location, actors, risks, hair & make-up and a filming schedule. We also created a storyboard which allowed us all to involve our personal input into the narrative of the film, the shots and angles we used.  Another thing that was vital during this period of production was the group roles that we distributed to each other. I was picked to be camera operator because I was the most confident with the camera and had previous experience of filming, this also counts editing. However I was distributed the role of location manager because the premises we used was my house, so it was vital I communicated to the owner when we used it and what rooms we needed.

My Groups Roles:

Me:

• Camera operator
• Editor
• Location Manager

Carlie:

• Producer
• StoryBoard
• Sound
• Actor.

Katie:

• Director
• Costume, Hair & Make-up
• Lighting.

Overall reflection:

I believe the thriller I created was successful because we followed the themes and conventions of similar thrillers such as my bloody valentine and obsessed. Themes that engage our target audience are those of death, love and revenge; these all fit in with the thriller genre.
As a media student I thoroughly enjoyed the filming process of the production and the editing, as much as the sound producing. This is because it allowed me to use various types of media in a creative way. It also helped me building confidence in certain creative ideas I have.
In my final product I can see where improvements can be made. I believe the footage that we have could have been expanded by filming a lot more. I also believe I could have better quality angles and shots. This would help create much more tension and drama within my thriller.
In conclusion I have learnt that working in a team is important when creating a product for the public, I have learnt to do this in an efficient way. I have learnt and become more confident with various types of media formats such as Logic and final cut pro. Another lesson learnt was that listening to other peoples ideas and opinions can help create a product that will really appeal to our target audience and what they want to see.