Strengths and Weaknesses of your previous work

We started off with a full team while creating our opening sequence, which aided our effort in constructing the most impressive opening sequence ever! We kick-off to a strong start completing all the research and planning stage swiftly. However, the group took a turn for the worst when a member left – we tried using this to our advantage but this was in fact a weakness. The group had and still did have strengths about it but the weaknesses were shining through.

Although, a strength that was indeed noticeable was that the teamwork embedded into the group was extremely effective – even without a fourth member. In fact, a group member leaving actually made us stronger and even more determined to perform better than the best of the best. Therefore, are comprehensive teamwork was, without a doubt, a strength in our group.

At the beginning, where it all began, our priority was the idea stage; as we knew we needed a killer idea. Many ideas were thrown in the mix and all were considered. But it was my idea that we decided on. This led us to the development of this idea…

We had various meetings about this idea and eventually the progression of the idea translated into blogs. This was a significant and efficient way of doing things and we intend to do the same this time round.

The next step was analysing generic conventions of real film openings in order to gain an understanding of the real deal. This helped us solidify our initial idea to a high standard. This most definitely added strength to our work. The same attention to detail paid to the research stage last year will repeat itself to enable top marks.

The planning, pre-production and preparation stage aided our effort in creating a masterpiece. For example: the use of analysing conventions within opening sequences helped us a lot.

The preliminary task also helped gain an understanding and a certain kill set to shoot our opening sequence efficiently to a high standard.

The camera work involved when creating our opening sequence was demonstrated extremely well due to our variation in camera work and angles, for instance: the implementation of the silhouette, the P.O.V view shot during the fight, the use of tracking, floor shot etc.

The mis-en-scene includes the aspects from the costumes to the facial expressions and both of these aspects were achieved greatly.

This also includes the lighting and this aspect was planned for really well as we had specialised lighting such as, 2K Blondes and a disburser. This equipment used to create the conventions of a mis-en-scene in an opening sequence came in handy.

The sound was crucial, as it had to set the right ‘atmos’ for the demographic to enjoy and be engaged. The backing track was incredible because it really dramatised every aspect of the opening sequence connoting the suspense and tension being signified.  Also, the SFX (sound effects) incorporated, for instance: the breathing effects.

The editing we used was fairly fast-paced with the cross-dissolve technique used frequently. This enabled the flow of the opening sequence to run smoothly. Furthermore, the titles we created were brilliant as we used a motivational speech as part of the sound to really engage the target audience.

Overall, the opening sequence was a success and the strengths out weigh the weaknesses for sure. This has given me and my group and confident start producing a new piece of practical work.