Review On Test Shoot

Review On The Test Shoot 

When talking through the Test shoot we carried out we all agreed that it was extremely rushed and unclear. However, we do understand that we only had 40 minutes to film this with both a lack of resources and little time.  The test shoot enabled us to understand what was working and what was quite obviously not. 

We all talked and decided that although the use of extreme closeups appeared effective, it was made clear that in order to make the shots less dull as well as unfolding more information to the viewer, it will be vital to switch between closeups and extreme closeups. Nevertheless, we feel the use of extreme closeups helped create an intense atmosphere; that being one of our main aims for the audience. Another thing we realised when watching back the test shoot is that sometime the camera was not level with the subject when it was vital to be, an example being when filming the police shoes walking through the door. Therefor when filming our final outcome for our opening title sequence it needs to be made certain that the camera is in line, this make the footage far more clean. 

One major issue we discovered was that the scene was far shorter than we had hoped due to it being essential the scene meets the two minute mark. In response to this issue we came together as a group and highlighted that we could make the shots slower and longer, which will also ensure the majority of the details of the crime scene will be picked up on by the viewer, additionally it would create a more intense mood. We also discussed more clips that we could add, an example being a close up of the woman's frozen, distressed face whilst being arrested as well as her hands trembling and shaking in fear. We concluded that there were several shots that we had not included due to mainly the lack of props, eg- Childs back pack. So hopefully after considering these factors, the sequences duration will become correct. On the actual filming day we hope to set up an entire crime scene, maybe at Cornhill manor. Therefor hopefully we will. take a wide range of footage, resulting in having enough and lots to chose from.

Moreover, when discussing the tension we have created, we came to the agreement that the sound effects such as the police sirens and wheel turning, played a major role in creating a tense uneasy atmosphere, although the story line was lost. But in spite of that we are almost certain that when having props, which are vital for the crime scene as well as actors this will be created much more. For example having a kids helmet and kids bike will add a sense of horror for the audience due to the realisation that it is in fact a kid whom has been murdered. The use of Police tape helps create tension due to the connotation with something bad have happened. We also believe that we should only make clear that it was a kid whom died among the last few shots, before that it should just be the build up and details of the crime scene.

When carrying the discussion as a group, regards to our opening title sequence , some things were made especially clear to not be working at all, such as the voiceover vocalising 'it wasn't me, it wasn't me'. It sounded out of context and sounded more humorous than anything else. Although if placed in the correct place and spoken by an actor in a clip like the lady in the handcuffs in hysterics this could then potentially appear extremely effective. Another thing we feel we didn't achieve was making clear the mother is the main character due to not giving her enough screen time, we wish to show the woman in hysterics and show more of her hyperventilating. On the other hand we all agreed that the sound effects and the use of closeups on both the crime tape, placement of gloves on the forensics and the wheel turning appeared extremely successfully.