Prelim Evaluation: 6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

The process of constructing this product consisted of various steps that are essential: planning, production, post-production, and getting used to what is expected of a high standard prelim and reaching these targets.

Firstly, planning seemed to be simple. But then I learnt that every step, every thing you are going to do must be though out otherwise there would be consequences during the production. Questions like when, where, what, and how were looked over with every idea that came in mind. Overall the planning done in my first proper production was of good standard as we had a script, story board, locations list, shot list, and much more (refer to project form). Nevertheless, planning still needed improvements as there were continuity and 180-degree rule mistakes.

The process of production also had a lot of though put into it. Despite the planning of locations and shots, when on set there were still aspects that had to be thought through when combining the two. Scenes that included a lot of movement were difficult because the equipment was not the best. For example, tracking a fast-moving object/subject seemed easy on paper. But on set it became evident that with a skate board, the framing would move up and down often and the sound of the wheels powered over the sound of footsteps that were needed. Running along side the subject posed even more difficulty as we found out it was hard to watch the camera framing and running in pace with the subject.
Further mistakes or difficulty included understanding of the 180-degree rule, passer-bys constantly interrupting filming, organisation with booking locations and props (Inman’s office and pin boards), and the unsuspected extra tripping over the tripod – several times. Therefore, for future references ‘do not cross this line’ tape barriers will be bought and booking locations will be done weeks before and if the order is ignored we will chase the order till people will get tired of seeing us.

A skill that has been improved is using a camera. Familiar with the family’s digital camera, I was surprised when I was unsure of how to use the camera’s allocated. However after getting used to the camera’s functions it was easy to film. One particular thing I learnt was to always wear the safety band cameras have to secure it to your hand; especially filming while squatting on a fast moving skateboard. Safety is always first, with actors and equipment.

During post production, I learnt that editing is hard work and surprisingly takes up a lot of time. In essence iMovie was easy to comprehend after some time, and the ‘help’ section was sufficient. However there were many unexpected problems that occurred during the editing that delayed the original editing time planned.
Due to our group using both digital recorder and tape recorder to film footage, it took double the time to upload and import the clips. Victim shots were saved onto a DVD, so there were three pieces of equipment used to upload, and then to import all the clips onto one project. It was necessary but took far too much of precious editing time.
The most time-wasting problem that happened during editing was the sudden loss of sound when the first few seconds of a clip were cut. There was no logical reason for this and no resolution other than to upload the footage again onto a different folder on the system to avoid uploading again.
Most enjoyable part of editing for me is choosing the right soundtrack and sound effects that give the clips a dynamic and professional feel. Searching iMovie and the internet for sound effects and trying them out was fun. From doing this I learnt how to overlap sounds with scenes (sound bridge) for continuity as well as missing them with transitions so that a scene flows nicely.Post production is a very long process but the end result gives a feeling of pride and satisfaction that the work was done to the best possible.

If there were less problems encountered and more time, I would have liked to change the following:

• Correct 180-degree rule mistake
• Add gun shot sound or dead victim shot for more continuity and give film more logic
• Include our hilarious blooper shots
• Add after credits scene that was planned, however it was never used and the prop made was wasted. It would feature a roughly 5 second shot wherethe two agents are approached by the boss's secretary and are handed a wanted poster of their next target - the man picture dis a teacher holding an enlarged yellow-sticker filled in and signed by the boss Pikachu.

In conclusion I feel that the outcome of the prelim was what I expected and a lot was learned from the mistakes made.