Preliminary Task Video

by Lauren, Rana and Rebecca

Preliminary Task - The 180 Degree Rule

Whilst doing our preliminary task, we wanted to practise using the 180 degree rule during filming. The 180 degree rule refers to an imaginary straight line through the middle of a scene, which creates a 180 degree angle along which you can move the camera.

In our scene, we had two characters sitting either side of a table, opposite each other. The red semi circle indicates the positions where we could place the camera whilst filming. If we 'crossed the line' between the two characters and filmed from the other side of the table, it would change the viewer's perspective on the scene and make it look as if the placement of characters / settings / props had changed.

We used this source to understand why how breaking the 180 degree rule would affect our preliminary task. They explain that if it was really necessary to cross the line, it would be best to have a shot on the line between, in order to introduce the audience to their new perspective and avoid disorientation.

by Rebecca

Preliminary Task Script

INT: Hall in Curie Block
We see a long shot of character 1 walking down the hallway, through a small crowd of people. They are carrying a school bag and approaching a classroom. As they near the classroom, they turn to their right. 


Character 1: [Tired/Fed up expression, unenthusiastic about carrying the heavy bag]

Medium shot of character 1's back as she opens the door to the classroom and walks in. 


Medium shot of Character 1 entering the room from the other side of the door (face on to camera), shuts the door behind her. Walks towards a table, sits down and puts her bag on the floor.


Character 1: [Sits down on chair, looking bored]


Shot of crowd walking in corridor, diagetic sound of crowd. 
Changes back to medium close up of character 1 in classroom.


Character 1: [Typing on her phone, puts phone away in pocket, crosses arms and leans on her hand]


We hear the door opening and change to a shot of Character 2 coming into the room, carrying a plastic bag. She puts the bag on the table whilst sitting down.


Shots then alternate between the two characters for their conversation


Character 1:  'Hey, how are you?'
Character 2: 'I'm good thanks, how are you?
Character 1: 'I'm just stressing over exams'
Character 2: 'This is for you'
Character 1: 'Oh, is that for me?'
Character 2: 'Yeah, Happy Birthday!'
Character 1: 'Aww, thank you!'



by Lauren and Rebecca

Preliminary Task Shot List

1. Long shot of character 1 walking down the corridor, going past people. They will be walking towards the camera.
2. Medium close-up of character's back as they turn to enter the room. 
3. Medium shot of character as they enter the room, closing the door (need to ensure continuity of actions) and walking towards a table. Close-up of character sitting down at the table and putting her bags down on the floor.
4. Another long shot of the crowd in the corridor, with diagetic sound
5. Close-up of character typing on phone keyboard and then putting her phone away in her pocket. 
6. Medium shot of another character entering the room, following them until they reach the table that the other character is sitting at. 
7. Shot of both characters (one sitting, one standing), standing character puts a plastic bag on the table and then sits down
8. Alternating close ups of the two characters as they have a conversation
9. Close-up of character as she is about to look in bag

by Lauren, Rana and Rebecca

Preliminary Task Storyboard

 

by Rebecca

Initial Film Idea

Film Pitch

by Rebecca