BLK 'Accident' Evaluation Homework

1. What did you think was the point to the activity?
The main aim of this exercise was to learn about continuity, how to create it and how film is affected when continuity rules are broken. We also had to learn to construct a sequence with only six shots, making us see what important things needed to be included and what would be a waste.

2. In regard to your finished sequence, what worked well?
The brief told us to use six shots - this was successful and our finished sequence clearly shows six shots. We included a whole range of shots in our piece including a wide shot, mid-shot, over the shoulder shot and a close up. The action-reaction part also worked well thanks to the use a cutaway.

3. What w0uld you aim to improve about your sequence?The establishing wide shot was far too short - we should have made this longer in my opinion. The transition from shot 1 to 2 also appears to be a bit jumpy and I would have liked this to have been smoother. We also broke the 180 degree rule as the camera mvoes from Ella's left to her right, confusing the audience a little and making the sequence look unprofessional. We also struggled with the 'match on action' rule in between the shots where Ella punches Jess and where Ella's hand is shown to hit the pole. This looks extremely bad and needs editing. I also feel that before the punch, we should have had a shot-reverse-shot between Ella and Jess.
4. What did you learn from doing this activity?
By making mistakes and breaking a number of continuity rules, I learnt the importance of them and how clumsy filming can seriously mess up your film. I also learnt about establishing shots, shot-reverse-shots and the importance of match on action and how it is vital that it looks like no time has passed in between shots so that the scene flows well.