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

Looking back on our Preliminary task, and other rough cut videos you can see clear progression from each video with variation shots more apparent, more advanced, effective effects, titles and also a better sequence of events.  All of these improvements have came from learning from the mistakes previously added in our preliminary task and rough cut videos.  

Screenshots of our prelim task

Firstly, I have learnt how my ideas for our product should be kept simple and not trying to do too much. Our preliminary task was a relatively simplistic idea, however the inexperience of our group and failure to make simple shots such as shot-reverse-shot very effective meant our preliminary task was in fact made quite complicated as the audience (classmates) were unable to identify what exactly was going on. We struggled with continuity in particular as simple shots, such as the shot-reverse-shot of me walking through the door, as I appeared more than three times in the film. Although when it came to making our first rough cut, we had mastered how to execute shot types well, yet I felt we got carried away by the chance of making a thriller film that we wanted to fit in as much footage as possible. Consequently, it was made into a very short story rather than an opening sequence which should give hints to what the film is about rather than telling the whole story. After analysing it as a group and then our target audience (classmates and other media students) they also felt that although our idea was good, we were trying to do far too much in 2 minutes and should try and keep it more simplistic. We also tried to add in more characters with Sarah and I having characters, however we felt although these characters could have a role in the latter of the film it didn’t fit the opening sequence as it came across far too confusing. This led to us as a group sitting down as a group and deciding what clips we liked, wanted to use and didn’t want need. This left us with clips of just Charlie (Antagonist) and Laura (Protagonist), reflecting what we set out to: create a conventional thriller opening sequence. I really liked the use of Charlie’s messed bedroom and the creepy stalking of Laura and wanted them to be used as our main clips.  The progression of our preliminary task to our product now to me is really highlighted in the fact that we have learnt how to make the product, by going back to basics and making the opening sequence simplistic, rather than trying to create a story which happened in previous rough cuts and the prelim task.

close-up of Charlie, still a key feature of our product

Secondly, the progression of our soundtrack using Soundtrack Pro has improved greatly since the prelim task and rough cut videos. In our Prelim task, we were not too strong on how to use Soundtrack pro which is evident in the product as the soundtrack is just one continuous drone, missing any non-diegetic effects to emphasise actions such as a punch, or a door shutting. Subsequently, there was no real extra effect or emphasis which would thrill the audience, which a soundtrack should do. We wanted our soundtrack to build tension and act as an enigma code, however our prelim task didn’t portray this at all. Nevertheless, as we become more confident with soundtrack pro we began to use a wider use of sounds using a ‘drone’ as our base track as it’s eerie noise created tension, and the idea that something was not right. This then evolved as the product evolved to the use of impact noises to show danger and pain, as well as spooky screams to possibly reflect Laura’s pain as she was murdered. I also began to experiment more with different samples by trying piano noises alongside futuristic noises, shortening and lengthening samples and changing the volume of certain tracks to emphasise certain moments in the film. I used the use of fade to great effect, as the quietening of noise implied something dangerous was about to happen, or a change of scene to suit the change in sound.  I also found more non-dietetic sounds that could be used such as a slash of sword noise to indicate danger as well as Charlie stabbing a needle into a voodoo doll, and the impact sounds made the audience react in shock to close-ups of Laura’s face.

Character from 'Ripper Street' 

Thirdly, the progression of our product has also been mirrored since getting to grips with Final Cut Pro. In our Preliminary task we were unaware of effects available, and unsure of how to add them in into appropriate places. However, since we began to familiarise ourselves and learn more and more about the software as well as what effects would give what, it was apparent that as a group we all had a good idea of effects and how they should be used. We were inspired by effects in ‘Ripper Street’, and ‘Se7en’, however after adding in similar effects we didn’t always feel they suited our product. Therefore we learnt what sort of effects we should stick to, thus improving our thriller piece. Our preliminary task included no effects at all, yet now effects play a vital role into the success of our product as they help to build tension, make the work seem more professional and create eerie suspense. In particular the use of colour correction which enhanced the colour red to imply danger, whilst the darkening of Laura’s face to a murky grey creates a very realistic of a dead, Protagonist. Furthermore, the gruesome wound on her neck was made more effective thus making the audience feel shocked by the fatal injury.

Overall, we have learnt greatly since the making of our very ordinary and unprofessional preliminary task which didn’t carry a soundtrack, any effects, or a real plot. However, as we gained more experience in production field, we really began to progress from a very basic prelim task to something far more effective with a specifically designed soundtrack, which had a variation of Argentinian pianos and painful screams. Whilst a list of effects, especially the use of colour correction which created a sinister image, as colours of negative connotations were highlighted to indicate the future. Subsequently, I believe this highlights what we have learnt a great deal of experience and technique in the progression from our prelim task to our full product.