Before we begun our real filming, we were given a task so we could familiarise ourselfs with how to use the video cameras. We were put into groups and given a set of instructions to follow whilst we were filming. The instructions consisted of a number of shots which we had to shoot of actors within our group. We were given the action in the shot, the shot type, how long the shot had to last for and the location of the shot.
Here is an example of part of the instructions:
Action - Shot Type - Time - Location
Actors A and B walk away from school - MS - 2 secs - Front of school
Empty corridor - LS - 3 secs - Inside
Actor B looks out from behind wall - MS - 2 secs - Inside
Empty corridor - LS - 2 secs - Inside
Actor B says 'Come on. I think it's safe' - CU - 7 secs - Inside
Overall I found this filming task very useful as it improved my understanding of how to film. It taught me a variety of things that will help me with my final filming piece, for example:
- How to upload a video from a video cam to a mac computer.
- Video a shot of scene a few times so you can pick the best out of the shots you filmed.
- Quiet sound location is crucial as the editing becomes a lot easier.
- Taking the acting more seriously helps to make the film more realistic.
- Choose actors carefully so they don't mess around.
- Clear idea of what you want your film to be like so therefore the filming becomes much easier as you know exactly what to film and you want to actors to do.
- To shoot a lot of shorter shots and not to just have one long one.
- Detail is needed in the planning stage.
