Homework 5 (BLK) Continuity Sequence Analysis

This project was a continuity sequence designed to help us work logically when working on our film opening. We were told to shoot 6 shots depicting an accident, by only pressing stop and start on the camera; we could not cut down in the edit room or use a master-shot etc.   We chose to portray a teenage girl falling down the stairs.

Shot 1: First of all we decided to shoot an establishing shot of the stairs, to set the scene and start off the action. However, this did not go as planned: as you can see in the first shot we started filming after out actress had walked through, and this creates confusion when she then appears in Shot 2, and does not help to create continuity. When filming our opening sequence we will not have this problem; we will be sure to film before and after any action so that we when editing we are not left short of footage. 

Shot 2: The second shot is a MS of the girl walking up the stairs, and the camera is still This is successful with regards to continuity because it makes sense and isn't confusing. It is a logical shot to follow the initial establishing shot and is an example of us trying to use shot orders by going in closer steadily rather than jumping into close ups. 

Shot 3: For this shot we tried to use a close up at a different angle to the majority of our shots. We chose a close up because it shows exactly how the accident happens, and doesn't confuse the viewer. Whilst this successfully portrayed the action, we did not consider the amount of space we jumped across, and this shot comes across as quite random and we also lose continuity in the sequence. 

Shot 4: We tried to make this shot more interesting by portraying the girl's perspective while falling, and to try and use a match on action. Whilst it is clear what the shot is of, the timing was bad and there are continuity errors e.g. if it is a match on action her scream would have to continue whilst falling in this shot. There are also two close ups in a row (Shots 3 & 4), however I quite like this because I think it portrays her confusion at slipping on the stairs, but also makes the fall fast paced, so it is more believable. 

Shot 5: This shot shows the girl having fallen on the stairs. Continuity-wise I think it works well because the events and actions are clear: she has fallen and is hurt but not badly. However it is not a particularly inventive shot, we could have shot this from another angle (like the top of the stairs) to make it less dull, and/or played with camera movement; in hindsight I think a tilt would have worked well. 

Shot 6: Again we used step order of shots well, we went from a CU to a MS to a LS which was helpful for continuity, but I think we focused too much on this. Whilst I am mostly satisfied with the continuity of this sequence, if I were to do this again I would take more risks to make a more interesting sequence. In terms of achieving a story though, I feel this shot is successful because it provides a conclusion.