Continuity Sequence reflection and analysis

This is the analysis of my continuity sequence task we given to create. This sequence consisted of 20 shots to show our understanding of the convention of the continuity system, editing and the use of a camera; shot distance and camera angles.

My group; which consisted of Viv, Henry and myself decided to have our sequence based around the comedy genre. We did this because we found that it would be easier to put together. The plot


Mis-en-scene
This means what is in the scene. An example of this is lighting. We used high key lighting throughout the entire sequence. We did this because it makes the atmosphere bright and cheerful which most comedy films use to create a happy atmosphere. We also used Ambient lighting during the outdoors scene.

An example of high key lighting

Another example of Mis-en-Scene in our sequence is sound. A majority of the short film consisted of Non Diegetic sounds and Ambient sounds with a small part of Diegetic sound. The Non Diegetic sound in this sequence consists of a goofy, comedic soundtrack which was implemented during the production stage. Although the parallel music went well with the sequence, viewers found it to be repetitive and thus became annoying. The Diegetic sound is in the shot of the man giving the hand a high five

Diegetic sound of the high five

The Ambient sounds consisted of bird noises and distant traffic. This worked well with the outdoor setting because it gave the atmosphere a sense of life so the scene was not dull and quiet. However, after showing it to the audience, some found the Ambient sounds to be too loud which drowned out the rest of the sounds.

 Ambient sounds were used in this shot

We also used a number of different shot distances. We used a Long shot of the male character walking out of the building carrying the box. We used this to show the confused but curious body language of the character with the box. We also used a Close up when the man gets slapped by the mysterious hand in the box. We used this to show the reaction of when the man gets slapped as it shows the emotion that it was painful.

 MS

CU

We used a few camera movements in this sequence and an example of this is when the man is walking outside with the box and the camera starts to pan to the right. We did this to show the new location as well as to follow the the action of the man walking. We also used zoom during the final scene when The man is on the computer with the box.

Panning shot

Zoom

We used a fade from the scene where the man hands the woman the box to where the man is walking outside. We used a fade to show that time has passed. We also used a cut at the beginning of the sequence when there is a knock at the door and the man answers it. We used this to show what happened next.

 Fade out

Fade in

The Continuity System
For our continuity sequence we used the 180 degree rule. This rule is where an imaginary axis which governs where cameras can be located when filming a sequence. You cannot cross the line otherwise it will cause a continuity error. This is when actors may appear to change places, people walking will change directions and this will confuse the audience. An

We used this during the scene where the man hands the woman the box and when she looks into it and gives it back, the camera is still maintaining the continuity.

We also used Match on action shots. An example of this is when the man goes to open the door and the shot carries through to show him opening the door.

We also used an Eye-line match when the woman looks into the box and the shot changes to her perspective to looking inside the box. However with this, we realised that we had the box the wrong way round which caused a filming error.

We used a POV shot of the box owner looking at the man holding the box. We used this to put the audience into the scene of the mans perspective

In the sequence, we used a Shot-reverse shot during the scene when the man answers the door to the box owner and is then given the box. We did this to establish the characters positioning and to make it believable because the two characters needed to be on the same side of the shot, similar to the 180 degree rule.

Overall, I really enjoyed creating this sequence. From this, I've learnt how to properly use Eye-line matches and Match on action shots. I have also understood the 180 degree rule as well as different camera movements. I really enjoyed the filming stage of making the film because it was more practical and enjoyable than the editing.