Preliminary Task

For this task we created a short film in order to show the use of the 180 degree rule, shot - reserve - shot and match on action, which for most were new to me. I already knew how to use shot-reverse-shot from GCSE media as this enables the audience to see both sides of a conversation between characters, which is a very important part of creating an effective dialogue sequence. However, the new aspects that I have learnt from this task would be match on action and also the 180 degree rule.

The 180 degree rule is where there is an imagination line or guideline at the 180 degree mark in which the camera must not pass over. This is important as it means that the two characters maintain the same relationship to each other as they remain on the either the left or the right. This allows the audience to follow the conversation in the most effective manner as the eye line will always match up to the other character which also emphasises the illusion that the audience is present with the characters on screen. Once the sides the characters will be on is established the camera must not pass over the line as this now becomes a crossing the line shot or a reverse angle.

Match on action refers to the cuts made whilst filming as the character completes a new action. In the film above there is cuts when the character walks up to the door, reaches for the door handle, closes the door, enters the room and finally when she is approaching the table. This is effective as it cuts the irrelevant parts of the action and focuses on what is important, as a result, the audience can follow the action very easily.