Preliminary Task Research and Planning

Research in previous Preliminary Tasks

Before I started to film my preliminary task I wanted to look at previous AS tasks so I can look at what worked and what didn’t so when it come to filming mine, I knew what type of camera shots, storylines and camera movement works well.

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCKQQ-baVt0I thought the use of music in this preliminary task was very effective. At the beginning when we see the first long shot of the girl it starts loudly. As the film progresses to the close up tracking shot of the girls feet, the music gets quieter as we hear diegetic sounds of water and footstep. All of these add the creepy atmosphere and make the audience feel on edge. When the film reaches the climax the music build up and gets louder. There is a non diegetic sound of technical sounds. I think the music was the best aspect of the film. Although there is a wide variety in the shots, for example, close up of the girl unlocking the door, tracking shots of feet and high angled shots there is no shot reverse shot or 180 degree rule. I think this is needed to show off their ability . I will make sure I have these in my film. The lighting is also quite dark at the beginning and although this is a convention of horror you cant really make out the girl – in my film I will try and make sure the lighting and scenes are well lit. The editing is really smooth

2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsRI215dH7cThis is a more humorous storyline compared to the other, although I find it funny, I want to practise using shots and conventions of horror as this is the genre of film for our final task. The music worked really well and fitted in with the storyline. I don’t think there is a wide variety of shots and angles, the most common shot was a mid shot and I don’t think this work well. In my film, I want to make sure I keep the audience keen by varying the angles. This can also help define a character and their role in the film. The establishing shot at the beginning worked really well and I thought the camera movement was effective. I also liked the quick ump shots in the toilet, I will try and include something similar to this in my preliminary task.

First Ideas I wanted to have a rough idea and plan of the location, costumes, character, props and camera shots I wanted to include. I drew this spider diagram to put all my ideas together.LOCATION: - Opening Shot = Classroom- Quick Shots in corridors of girls searching

for Harri.N- Killing shot in girls toiletsPROPS:- Gun?- School diary - Piece of paperCREDITS:After opening shot of Harri and Becky, title of film will appear. Whilst running through corridors actors names will appear. SHOTS:Establishing shot, high angle to show superior and dominance, close up shots to show expression and emotions and possible birds eye view shots

As this is only a preliminary task, practise for our main task, I wanted the story line to be simple. My first idea is two school girls as serial killers out to kill another. There is a conversation scene showing the shot reverse shot and match on actions shots whilst the girls are searching for her. Eventually they kill her in the girls school toilets.

Storyboard