Evaluation: Reflection

We started our production plan with a completely different idea to our final result. We originally had a plan of the character being killed in a barn. We realised this idea was impractical due to lighting issues as it was too dark in the barn and the cameras couldn't record. This led to us deciding to think and use a different plan. This was when we came up with the idea of using a swimming pool and being strangled to death and then thrown into the pool. After we decided on our plot, we filmed some different camera angles that we could then use in our opening. This gave us good knowledge about what angles would look good for our opening and what angles would give the effect that we wanted. Its also gave us an idea of how to position the cameras for our opening and tips on where to place the cameras in the room to create these angles. We then filmed our production with the majority being on the first day with a bit more filming completed on a second day. We then edited it all together to create our final production in which we then uploaded it to YouTube.

Whilst creating our production, I really enjoyed being able to experiment with my creative ideas when positioning the cameras trying to create interesting angles. I also enjoyed editing the clips together as I learned a lot whilst doing it and got to try new things ideas. It really did give me a big insight to how films are actually made and produced which I found very interesting to get a first hand experience of it, but just on a much smaller scale.

If we had to re-film our opening, we would try and film a bit earlier in the day so some of the shots would come out better. This is because some of the clips were filmed outside at night and the camera couldn't see anything. We would also try to hide the murderer's face better as in the opening it seems fairly obvious who he is. This removes the mystery, yet would create lots of suspense throughout the film as the audience can see the murderer and yet the other characters wouldn't even know. If we had chance to re-film, we would've used more zooms and close-ups to create more cuts and make the opening be a bit more jumpy with not too many long clips so it doesn't drag on for too long for the audience and bore them. Along with this, if we had more time we could have found some more suspenseful music to go over the film so that way the film was more of a 'on the edge' experience, as the audience wouldn't know what would happen and when it would happen.

Creating our own production really showed me the difficulty of creating a production. We spent many hours just filming the opening scene. This made me realise the extent film companies have to go to in order to make a full length production. It also presented the issue of having small budgets with the filming. Big conglomerates can spend vast amounts of money on costumes, lighting, sound and various other pieces of equipment where as small independent companies will not have as much budget to do this so might find it harder to make the best quality films. This showed to me what it was like to have a small budget and put us in a similar position to Warp Films who have very small production budgets in comparison to the "big six". It also made me understand the time needed for a production to be made. We spent multiple hours filming, and even more editing it to a good standard for what we are capable of. Film companies will spend months on creating films, if not even longer in order to perfect their product so it is ready for the audience. This experience made me see the difficulty that small independent film companies face on a regular basis and helped me understand the movie industry better.