Continuity Task Reflection and Analysis

         
           

For this task, we were asked to make a short film revolving around a package. One of the main challenges was keeping the continuity. It was necessary to use several different camera movement and shot types. We were also not allowed to use dialogue, so were challenged to show not tell the story.

One of the techniques we were asked to use was a match on action. A match on action is a sequence of shots showing the subject doing an action, and then the next shot matches it. Our example of this was Rhys opening the door, and the camera focusing on him pulling the door to, and the following shot was from the other side of the door as he opens it. We used this to create mystery as to who was knocking. The lighting in this scene is also darker to connote that Rhys was alone, and further the mysterious feel as to who would be visiting him.

We decided to use a close up for this shot to put emphasis on the package and that it's exchanging hands. We decided that Henry should be forceful when giving the package away, showing both that he is keen to get rid of it and Rhys' confusion at receiving it. 

Our use of an eye line match/ point of view shot here was to show that the box was in fact empty. We used it to confuse our audience, as each time Rhys opens the box he gets slapped, however he seems to be the only one. The high angle showed enough of the box to prove their was nothing in it. An eye line match consists of the camera showing a person looking either off camera or at something the audience can't necessarily see. It is then usually followed by a point of view shot, in which the camera shows what the person was looking at. Following this shot we used a dissolve, which then fades back up to Rhys walking outside to show time passing.

For this shot we used a camera pan. This is when the camera is kept in one place but turned either left or right. We used this to reveal the sign Henry points to saying 'No returns'. This was to add to the comedy of our piece as it makes no sense as to why he shouldn't be able to return a package he never wanted in the first place. Our use of a poorly written sign in the mise-en-scene was to connote that Henry doesn't want the package either because it slapped him, or wants Rhys to keep it as he enjoys Rhys getting hit. We left this open to interpretation. 

Our final shot was an extreme close up of Rhys high-fiving the hand, after another dissolve. This was to show that over the time since trying to return the box, Rhys either began to understand the box or had tamed it. The focus was on the two hands to contrast the slap from earlier. 

In hindsight, I know now to take more care with filming different scenes, especially trying to keep the proxemics the same to keep the continuity flowing. I have also learned to shoot and reshoot so as not to be left with too little footage to edit.