Homework BLK: Continuity Clips

This is the result of my first shooting task for AS. The exercise was aimed to help us learn about continuity: we worked in groups to create a short clip on the theme of an 'accident' and weren't allowed any re-takes.  

Our Approach

We wanted to use a variety of shot types such as CU's and MS's, and were certain that we wanted a LS to be our first in order to act as an establishing shot. That way the audience would immediately be able to grasp the concept and location of our whole video. We also wanted to include some tracks and pans to experiment with camera movement and to ensure our audience was not bored with only static shots. 

As the task was based on continuity, another of our focuses was to match actions and cuts: we needed to create a fluid piece which made logical sense from all angles.  

What Worked Well

• I feel our establishing shot effectively put the audience in the know and allowed them to see each character in relation to each other, and the space between and around them.
• Our second shot (the OTS) involved and engaged the audience well. 
• Our cross cutting, which showed each character on their side of the wall gave various perspectives without confusing the audience.
• Our re-use of the master shot in order to show positional progression of the two characters. 
• The wide range of shots we used provided interest for a viewer. 
• We followed the 30 and 180 degree rules (although we weren't aware of it at the time!)

Possible Improvements

• Maybe the establishing shot right at the beginning gave too much of the enigma away and could have lost the interest of our audience. It may have been easy for them to guess what was about to happen.
• Perhaps the jump from shot 1 to 2 was too large, and could have disorientated the audience, it was from quite a different angle too (OTS). 
•  There were two people walking in the background in shot 2, which were not shown in shot 1- continuity error. It would be hard to cut these people out. 
• There are general gaps and pauses in dialogue and action between some of the shots (particularly between shot 2 and 3, and shot 5 and 6)

Here is our clip again, this time with some of the continuity errors edited out (not by us). As you can see it flows a lot more smoothly. 
Overall I am pleased with what we produced because I feel we have more positives about it than negatives, and the end result did make me laugh. However there is always room for improvement.