Written Evaluation of The Drunk

Our continuity exercise

Our prologue task was to make a short file experimenting with continuity cameras and editing software.  We were giving a short list of shots we needed to include to show our understanding match on action and simple camera techniques. Our first task was named “MIKEY!!” (Named after a member of our team).  Although it may or may-not be known as "The Drunk" on YouTube.  The Members of the group were Me, Mikey and Skipper. Our rules where we could only use the shots instructed and where not allowed to use any camera movements whilst filming.

 What’s your favourite part of the video?

 My favourite part of this video is the horrific face Mikey pulls if we had been allowed to incorporate camera movement it would have consisted as an extreme close-up emphasising the look of sheer terror in Mikeys face.  His naturalistic performance as well as his accidental leaning to the left make it seem a really genuine and help make the scene.

Another Part of the video I’m proud of is a shot I managed to get when Mikey leaves the room as it gets a really study shot that is shockingly close to the floor.

 What was my least favourite part of the video?

 The biggest problem I have is a mess up of continuity where in the background of the door opening you can see me loitering in the background as the camera records. I shot the entire film and I feel really foolish for making such a simple mistake and sadly also ruin the illusion of cinema. This breach in continuity really distracts the audience and was a mistake that this exercise was all about learning not to break.

What do you feel in filming and editing went well?

 Besides an early misunderstanding at the beginning of filming about whether or not  a zoom should be considered a camera movement, the filming of The Drunk / MIKEY!! Went very smoothly very few extra takes where needed to get the shot right. I do feel proud that we were able to keep to the 180 degree rule whilst filmingtheir convosation, although the positions of the characters move a lot its clear where each person should be without any jumping. The editing of the film was also very successful I got to learn allot of the basics in movie editing especially at using Adobe premiere pro CS 6 considering movie making soft where was almost alien to me.

 I managed to get a really good match on action when Mikey enters the room getting the transition on of both sides of him right as he goes through the door.

I also have to say well done to Skipper (aka Ryan) for his brilliant portrayal of a drunk guy.

 What do you feel in filming and editing didn’t go as well?

Whilst we were editing I felt one of the greatest difficulty’s we encountered was our attempt to add a special effect to the title of the film. This was a pain in the backside to try and make and took a really long time to create. It was because we were trying to overstep our boundaries and overcomplicate what could just be a really simple shot.

How would you improve or change the film?

 If I could remake and improve this would have spent more time cleaning up the cuts and the footage taken I would have made sure Mikeys face was closer to the centre of the shot when it was filmed as to much of his face goes out of shot it just doesn’t look professional and irritates me due to our inability to pan or adjust the camera during shooting. On the other hand the way he leans makes the shot rather expressive and natural.  Another thing I would remake is again the close to mid shot of Mikey opening the door to remove me and the cameras beautiful cameo in the scene as it breaks continuity. Next time I plan on trying harder to use less reflective surfaces to remove any other unexpected arrivals.

Final thoughts

In conclusion I think this served as an excellent example of the things we are going to learn to make in this Btec but there’s still quite a curve in experience we are going to need to make.