Introduction to the 'Preliminary Task'

Today I set up my blog which will enable me to record and evaluate the progress of my work.

My first exercise is a continuity task which has to involve a number of different things;

• filming
• editing
• character opening a door
• crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character
• S/he then exchange couple of lines of dialogue

This task should demonstrate a variety of different shots;

1. Match on Action - cut from one shot to another view that matches the action and pace of the first shot. This creates an impression of continuity despite the fact that you might have filmed the shots weeks apart. If a character begins an action in the first shot and completes it in the next, a visual 'bridge' is created that acts to disguise the cut from on to the other.
   
2. Shot/Reverse shot - when two characters are in conversation, film one character looking off screen to where the other character is imagined to be, and vice-versa. Ensure that one character faces left and the other faces right., so you can edit between a character talking and a character listening.
   
   
3. 180-degree rule - when using a variety of shots for point of view and switching between the characters it is essential that all shots are filmed from the same side of the line. If you cross the line when filming, the characters will appear to exchange places and continuity will be lost