The Code - Preliminary Task Evaluation

Our preliminary task was we had to create a short scene which included different techniques. Our scene was based in a work environment where two associates meet up in an empty stairwell to deliver information. The person that they were giving information about is around when this meeting is happening and towards the end of the film, that person walks in on the two acquaintances.

During our filming process, we had to ensure that we included a few specific techniques/rules. One rule that we had to make sure we followed was the 180 degree rule. This is when someone films on the one side of the action and you cannot go past the actors to the opposite side to film. This is breaking the 180 degree rule because this means that when you play the footage back, it will look backwards because the angle is different. Below is a picture of the rule. The red line shows the invisible line that you cannot cross when filming a scene.

During our filming for our preliminary task, we had to ensure that we did not cross the line. We did this by replaying our small clip to make sure that we did not break the 180 degree rule and so that the filming made sense. At the beginning of our filming stage, we did break the 180 degree rule but by checking the clip, we were able to identify the mistake and redo that part of the scene.





Another technique that we had to include when filming was something called match on action. This is an editing technique which is normally used for when there is handover of item. This technique is when someone films one side of two people to show the one person giving the object to the other person. This shot ends when the other person has their hand on the object. The next shot would be filmed the other side of the handover to show the other person receiving the object. During this filming, you must not break the 180 degree rule. You would edit these two shots to ensure there is a smooth transition so it looks professional. We used the match on action in our short film when the two associates exchanged a piece of paper which represented the information of a colleague. We filmed one side of the two actors for when they gave the information and then filmed the opposite side for when it was received. During this part of the filming, we did not break the 180 degree rule. An eye line match is another type of technique that we needed to include within the short film. An eye line match is a filming technique which is when two eye sights match. By this I mean that the eye level is the same. During the filming, to ensure that we included this technique, we lowered the camera for when the two women were discussing the information. We had to lower the camera so the eye line would match due to the two actors being different heights. We found this technique easier to include. The last requirement that was asked of us to include was shot-reverse-shot. This technique is a editing technique which is normally used to show a conversation between two people. This is technique is when a specific person is speaking and the camera is filming them as they speak. Once the next person begins to speak, the camera films them as they speak. This would be edited to have a smooth transition so the conversation would look more realistic. We included this technique also into our film. We used this technique in a different way than what it is normally used for. In our film, the two actors briefly look at the door and then look back at each other. This is when we used the technique to show to different perspectives of the acting.



Before we began filming our preliminary task, we created a storey board so as a group, we had a clear idea of what we were filming and where we were filming. It gave us an idea of the kind of shots that we were using. Below is the story board that we created.

We used the story board mostly during the filming process. We used the storyboard so we spent less time trying to figure out what we were going to film. The storyboard was extremely helpful. During the filming process, we found issues with our story board so we had to change some of the details in order to create an effective short film. An example of something we had to change was how many different shots that we were going to use. As a group we decided that we didn’t plan to use enough different shots. This meant that during filming, we changed parts of the storyboard so we could use a range of shots instead of using the same ones over again. Also during the filming process, we had to use specific areas around the sixth form. For example we used a stairwell that are not used very often. Using the sixth form meant there were places within it that we could use effectively to get the best story line. We had all the resources that were needed for the filming process so this meant we were able to film effectively. A disadvantage to filming around the school was that when we needed to film near a classroom, other students that were in a classroom were getting distracted due to us being outside filming. This meant that we had to find quite places where there were no students but this caused problems due to it being a busy sixth form. The tripod that we used allowed us to have still shots which was more effective for our preliminary task rather than hand held shots. The tripods were easy to move into a certain position so we could have the exact shot we wanted. Within the team, we all got along well so there were no disagreements. We discussed the filming effectively so we were able to figure out the best possible shot for a certain type of scene. We all had input to how the short film was done so this meant we were all part of the team and no one was excluded. If I was able to do the task differently, I would plan the storyboard in a lot more detail. This is because as a group, we spent a lot of time trying to figure out where we were going to film and what range of shots we were going to use. We would have saved a lot of time when filming if we would have planned in more detail.



Editing our video on Adobe Premier made our short film. At a first glance, the software seemed to be very confusing but once I began to use it to edit my preliminary task, it became a lot easier. On the software, I learnt about many techniques that I will be able to use when creating my opening scene. I learnt how to effectively cut the clips to create a better video all together. I managed to edit the clips so I was able to create a more effective preliminary. I also learnt how to import music onto the project to add atmosphere. By adding music, I learnt how to change the volume of the music so you are able to hear the audio on the certain clip. I now know how to cut the music so I can choose the most effective part of the audio file and use that in my overall video. Titles are the most complex thing that I have learnt. I now know how to keep the titles on the screen for a certain amount of time and I also know how to keep the same font throughout the video.





Overall the preliminary task was done to the best standard that was achievable. We did this by using all the tools that were available to us and if the group struggled, we asked for help. Also, within the group we used everyone’s strengths in order to complete the preliminary task to the best way we could. This ensures that the tasks were done by certain people that were more skilled in that area. For example, I did more editing due to the fact I understood the software a little bit more than others in my group. By completing this task, I am now more knowledgeable about the software which I could use to edit my opening scene.

The Code - Preliminary Task

Task 4 The Pitch

Task 2.1 Research into Existing Products

Today we looked at the opening scene to a film called Blue Velvet. This film was created by David Lynch. David Lynch is an American director, screen writer, visual artist, musician, actor and author. He is known for his surrealist films since he has developed a unique cinematic style (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lynch). Blue Velvet is an American mystery film. The film was released on September 12 1986. The film blends psychological horror with neo-noir. Neo-noir is a more updated version of film noir. Film noir is the classic/stereotypical 1940 detective thriller film. This means that neo-noir is more updated so the roles that woman play nowadays has changed from what it used to be in 1940.

“I look at the world and I see absurdity all around me. People do strange things constantly, to the point that, for the most part, we manage not to see it. That's why I love coffee shops and public places – I mean, they're all out there” – David Lynch

Sound plays a big part in any film. Sound can be used to set the scene of the film so the audience feels more involved. In blue velvet uses music to set the scene. The main piece of music that is used is through the majority of the opening scene. This music is non diegetic because the actors cannot hear the music. The specific piece of music which is used is where David got his inspiration from for the film title. The piece of music is called Blue Velvet. The song belongs to Bobby Viton and it was released in 1963. This song was used because it is the stereotypical 1960’s American song. It is a positive song due to the fact bobby is singing about a woman and the way he loves her. This song has been used because it sets the scene for the audience watching the film. It sets a happy atmosphere in what appears to be a typical American neighbourhood. There is also another piece of music that is used towards the end of the opening scene. This piece of music has a slower tempo and the pitch is lower too. This has been used because it builds tension as a worm POV shot has been used. It makes the audience feel uneasy because they don’t know what will be shown through the grass. It adds tension to the film. This piece of music is also non diegetic. These two sounds that have been discussed have been used together which means they are contrapuntal. This is because the two sounds overlap towards the end of the opening scene. Diegetic was also used throughout the opening scene. Diegetic sounds have been used because it sets the scene for the audience that are watching it. An example of this music is the main tap which leads to the hose pipe. This sound is of water that will burst through the pipe. As the sounds gets worse and worse, the tension builds because the audience expect something to happen.

The camera shots that were used in the opening scene have been used for a reason. One type of camera shot that was used is a worm POV. This shot was used once the man had collapsed to the floor and the view that the audience saw was on the ground in the grass. This was used because it gives the audience a mysterious atmosphere when they are on the ground. This is because no one really knows what it is like to live in the grass so when given this perspective, it is strange. Another shot that was used was a low angle. An example of when this was at the beginning of the opening scene. It showed the roses, the picket fence and the clear sky. This was done because it represented the American flag. The colours that were used were red, white and blue which are the colours on the American flag. This shot was used so it emphasised that the fill is based in America around the 1940’s. It also represented the happiness that people felt when they lived in the suburbs at that period in time. Usually, good weather makes people a lot happier. A wide shot was also used during the opening scene of the film. An example of when this shot was used the man was water his garden. This shot was used because it allowed the audience to see the environment that surrounded the man. The director wanted the audience to see this because they wanted the audience to see the kind of environment that people lived in during the 1940’s – 1960’s. The environment was an organised front garden which showed that Americans lived in nice suburbs where people took care of their property.

A type of editing that was used during the opening scene was fades. An example of when a fade was used was at the beginning when the blue velvet curtains changed into the sky. The curtains faded into the sky. This type of editing technique was used to create seamless editing. This means that cuts between shots are fluid and barely noticeable. It worked well because the same shade of blue was use so the transaction looked less visible. Another type of editing that was used was a dissolve. An example of when this was used was when there was a typical American fire engine driving and this then dissolved into yellow tulips. A dissolve is when there is a quick overlapping of two images. This editing technique has been used so the scenes are seamless edited. It means that the transaction between the two shots are more fluid.

Mise en scene has been used throughout the opening scene. An example of this being used effectively is when the old woman is watching a television programme or film. When the TV is shown, there is a gun that is shown. A gun has been shown on the TV because it is a stereotypical genre for Americans to watch. This emphasises the American dream for the audience. Another reason for why this has been used is because it can represent the danger. It foreshadows the danger that may happen at some point of the film itself. Another times when mise en scene is used is when the curtain is shown at the beginning of the scene. This curtain is closed and it is also made out of what appears to be Blue Velvet. This has been used because it fits in with the title of the film. Another reason for why it has been used is because it is a metaphor. It is a metaphor for that there is a nice appearance but if you look deep enough (in this case, behind a curtain), then you will uncover the dark side/the truth. Tension has been created through using mise en scene. An example of when this has been used is for the hose. The director has created tension by the way that the water pressure increases inside the hose. Each shot where the hose is shown, the water pressure seems to increase each time. This has done because it makes the audience tense due to them waiting for the hose of blow. It can represent an upcoming tragic event which in the opening scene, is the older man having a near fatal accident. It makes the audience think they know what is coming (which is the hose which should blow) but instead, the man has a stroke. This changes the way the audience thinks about the scene. It uses psychological strategies in order to confuse the audience.