Our Script and Storyboard For Our Preliminary Task

For our 25 second Film (Our Preliminary Task) we are filming an argument between two friends over a boy. The genre of this type of film we have chosen is a comedy/teen film. There are two characters in our film who will be played by Gabrielle (Zara) and I (Jenny). The script below is what will happen in  the 25 seconds.

Our Script:

Jenny opens the door and walks down the stairs where Zara is sitting directly opposite. Zara looks up from her phone and sees Jenny standing at the opposite side of the room.

Zara: Oh, hey Jenny

Jenny: Texting Callum are we?
Zara: What?


Jenny begins to walk slowly towards Zara, who is still sitting down.


Jenny: You and Callum. I know you like him, and I know you walked home with him yesterday!


Zara stands up from her seat, shocked by Jenny's accusation. 
Zara: Yes I did walk with him but only as friends. I don't like him in that way.
Jenny: You know how much I like him Zara. How could you do this to me!
Zara: Your acting crazy, I only walked home with him. I wouldn't do that to you. Come on sit down and we'll talk.
Jenny: Crazy? Crazy! Oh I'll show you crazy.


Jenny then slaps Zara across the face and it cuts to a black screen.


Our Storyboard:

Our 3 Different Features

For our prilimainary task we will be including 3 different features which are 180 degree rule, Match on Action and Shot Reverse Shot. We will be including all 3 of these in our short film.

Shot Reverse Shot:

A Shot Reverse Shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Common uses for this shot is when the characters are having an argument because when edited they can be reversed quickly in order to make the argument look for intense. This is how we are going to use this particular shot.

An example of a Shot Reverse Shot is at the beginning of the film 'Hunger Games' when one character is having an interview on a TV show and the shots are reversed from that character and the the interviewer. This would show you when each person is talking (when one is asking a question and the other answers.

180 Degree Rule:

A 180 Degree Rule is also a film technique which is a cinematography guideline that states that two characters in a scene should maintain the same left/right relationship to one another. When the camera passes over the invisible axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line and the shot becomes what is called a reverse angle. We can use this technique in our film when our two characters are having their argument, this will ensure that our audience will not get confused. 

An example of the 180 Degree Rule would be in the film 'The Shining'. However the director of this film ended up breaking this rule in order to give a thrilling and dramatic effect towards the audience, as the film was a thriller film. This kind of shot is commonly used when two characters are fighting or arguing in order to prevent the audience getting confused. However in some very rare cases, like 'The Shining', the rule is broken which ends up going with the plot and the type of genre the film is.

Match on Action:

Finally, the last film technique is called Match on Action, which refers to film editing and video editing techniques where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shots action. We will achieve this in our film when our first character walks into the room towards our second character who will be sitting down.

An example of a Match on Action is in the series 'Friends' where the character Chandler opened the door. The camera was facing him as he talked to the people at his door, then as he closed the door the camera angle switched and was now in the room facing the door as it closed. Match on Action enables the audience to see everything that happens in a scene, in order to understand the program fully.

Preliminary Task

For my preliminary task and for my group I am with Chelsea Stevens, Olivia Markey and Gabrielle Phillips and we have begun creating our short film which will last around 25 seconds. For our film we have decided to base it on an argument between two friends, which would enable us to incorporate the 3 different features effectively. These include Match on Action, 180 Degree Rule and Shot Reverse Shot. We have begun planning our film by thinking about how we are going to include our 3 different features as well as including other shots, movements etc. in our film.

Why I chose A Level Media

When choosing my A levels one of my main concerns was that the subjects I chose would need to include aspects I would enjoy and be passionate about. Which would help me get the most out of that subject. The reasons why I chose this subject was because it is not only to do with what I want to do in the future but I knew it would be something I would enjoy and get involved in, unlike previous subjects I had done during my school life. Even though I was quite sceptical about certain projects we would be doing I was confident that they would benefit me in the end and would allow me to challenge myself in order to reach my full potential.

So far I have enjoyed Media and I am excited to see what it has to offer in the future.