Preliminary task camera shots

For our preliminary task we had to create a short scene where a person walks into a room. The film had to include a match on action shot where the events in a scene continue in consecutive shots. It also had a to include a 180 degree rule. Using a camera and tripod, myself, Eboni and Beth set up a scene in an empty classroom. We had previously worked together to create a storyboard to present and our ideas and to work off during the filming.

So when we went to record our film we had all the ideas needed to put together a successful scene. We decided together that Eboni would play the role of a student and to prove this we ensured that used a high angle shot to look down at her which proves her low status compared to the headmaster who will soon enter the scene. She is filmed as she waits for the headmaster to enter and she is biting her nails and looking very twitchy to ensure that it is evident that she is nervous for the imminent arrival.

Here we have ensured that my character (the headmaster) is not given away early so that the audience can understand that he is a very imposing and intimidating person. In this picture we have used a low angle shot whilst focusing on just the feet of my character. This shot will bring across tense feeling and an understand that this character is very important or of high status as he walks towards the camera and stops. This could also make the audience intrigued or excited to see and find out who this character is because they only know at this point that he is important.

Here I took a POV shot as I walked towards the student (Eboni). Through the use of this shot I have made sure that again my face is not seen until I face the student which again shows the importance of my character. This shot was also used so that the audience can see Eboni acting nervously as she waits for my arrival. A low angle effect is evident to again look down at her which proves that I am the teacher who is controlling the situation and that Eboni is the young vulnerable student.

Here have used a reverse shot or over the shoulder shot as it is sometimes referred to. We used this shot as it was part of our criteria for the task but it is also a very good shot to used when there is dialogue between 2 people. It presents the speech of the people very well but it also creates a tense atmosphere during the conversation.