The Editing Process: Preliminary Exercise

In the editing of our preliminary exercise we used Final Cut Pro, it is an editing software that is able to edit camera projects. During our last lesson we learnt some basic knowledge about the Final Cut Pro tools like what use the knife that helps in cutting clips also timebars that...

The synopsis of the film & Shot for the opening sequence

A wheelchair bound, teenage boy, begins to have disturbing dreams of female characters and his neighbour. Only to wake up to see the exact same women walking into the house accompanied by the neighbour. He then begins to keep tabs on the neighbour using a video camera to record his findings. Though danger seems to creep his way, as subtlety is not his strong point because the neighbour begins to become suspicious of someone watching him. As he cannot get solid evidence on his camera alone, he get his friend to help him, as she can get nearer to the neighbours house.  The neighbour is a serial killer, the teenager spends days making a diary of his findings see little things that can just LOOK wrong. Such as stroking females faces in a sinister way as they shiver away, or him looking towards a door and then backing away cautiously, or even some of them apparently “fainting”. However appearing like some fishy is going on isn’t enough to convict a man. It is obvious that this dark sinister man is up to no good, but is too clever to get caught. So in desperation for convicting evidence, the teenage girl breaks into the house with the camera.

Shot 1- Point of View Shot

Shot 2- Medium Shot

Shot 3- Point of View Shot

Shot 4- Medium Shot

Shot 5- Long Shot

Shot 6- Medium Two Shot

Shot 7- Point Of View Shot

Shot 8- Worm View Shot

Shot 9- Long Shot

Shot 10-Long Shot(shot reverse shot)

Shot 11- Medium Shot(shot reverse shot)

Shot 12- Close up(shot reverse shot)

Shot 13- Medium Shot

Shot 14- Medium Two Shot

3.1. What I Learnt By Doing The Preliminary Exercise

During the first time of filming I found the latter more difficult because in a school environment it is not easy to find a relevant setting, but after researching and asking questions I was able to get the permission from the library assistant to use her office, this I believe was a logical decision because the location was quiet and also allowed us to get good shots of the film. the filming was successful until the group got together and watched the video where we realised that the sound on the film was too low and it was hard to hear the actors and another fault was that we failed to stay within the 180-degree rule. This meant we would not be able to run with footage.

However on the second time we filmed the same challenges were encountered with noise and setting becoming and issue because this time we were unable to use the library instead we decided to use the recording studio but this had been double booked and we knew in the agreement we struck with another group meant we were not going to finish the scenario. A while later as we were having a group meeting I spoke to a senior teacher and then he gave us permission to use his office, this was truly the perfect location for our scenario. I believe at this location we were able to show all the necessary requirements for the preliminary exercise. 

Ultimately I feel I learnt a tremendous amount throughout the launch stages of the preliminary exercise and also the factors of filming, this I aim to take on board and develop further in the course and on the next film project.

During the preliminary exercise I learnt how to handle a video camera. I learnt to accurately direct scenes. I learnt some of the key terms when staging a scene. Some camera shots that I learnt to incorporate into my own storyboarding and staging include.


Point of view shot: This is one of the first shots we used in out preliminary exercise. In my opinion it  works effectively at giving the audience the impression that they are along with 'Jessie' at the interview feeling her nerves and makes it seem as though the viewers are about to be under scrutiny too.

Medium two shot: This type of shot is of two character in one frame where the camera does not have to cut as each person speaks. We used this in our scenario fairly frequently because it allowed us to expand the message we wanted to give to our viewers in our scenario. 

Over the shoulder shot: The over the shoulder shot is a cinematographic shot taken from over the shoulder of a character whose shoulder can be seen at the side of the frame. In our scenario it was vital we were able to show this and I believe we did this because we were able to set up our scene to establish a situation where this was possible.


Match on action: Is when something happens in the scene then when there is a cut the same piece of action must e going on it helps the audience understand exactly what is happening. In my opinion my group were able to show this through the shot of another person walking past the screen and then a cut with 'Jessie' walking just behind the extra after exiting the interview room.


180-degree rule: Is a technique that is used to prevent the audience from becoming disorientated in the film, it is used to keep film continuity and so this means filmed are only filmed within the 180-degree range. I believe my group was able to stick to it and keep the viewer entertained and not confused.


The next we plan to film I will use the skills and knowledge I have learnt in the preliminary exercise.