Evaluation for ‘The Maltese Falcon’ reconstruction.
During the reconstruction of this sequence our group came
across difficulties that complicated the production. Although the final product
was a success, the post production became very important to get the correct
position of the camera for the shot.
The main obstacle our
group had trouble with was the continuity throughout the sequence, because we
had a limited time to complete each stage of production, we were pressured to
complete shots in hour slots in our college timetables. A result of this was
having to rearrange our mis-en-scene in the exact position as the previous
shots, this became a problem when we were editing. Georgia’s scarf (Mrs
Wonderly) is visible in the shot 1:11, but then isn’t in shot 1:31. Unfortunately
because we were pushed for time we couldn’t re-take this shot to correct the
continuity, which was a good learning point in the fact that a lot of planning
is needed to avoid these little mistakes.
Another continuity obstacle we didn’t take into
consideration was that because we had to film on different days, the weather
would change the lighting that was coming through the window and would in turn
change the lighting within the room. We attempted to counteract this problem by
using blinds and a portable LED light, which worked in our benefit in the final
outcome by helping to create a film noir effect, which we were aiming for. Although we were pressured for time, I feel
the final outcome of our reconstruction and the continuity for a rushed amateur
film was of a high standard. This obstacle has proven that a high amount of
time and planning is needed to organise shots and camera angles for my own
creative project.
Our budget was very
limited, and we were required to use our own clothing and possessions to create
the mis-en-scene inside the room. Despite the fact we had to improvise with
some objects, I feel that what we did use was very effective at replicating the
original clip.
All actors throughout our reconstruction were amateur, and
although the acting wasn’t of a professional standard I feel that it was
effective and the actors created a believable character for the audience to be
interested in. We printed off the script from The Maltese Falcon, so that the
speech and stage directions were precisely the same in our film.
Cinematography was the most frustrating obstacle that our
group came across. Our project was very low budget so a classroom was our only
option for the setting; this gave us the challenge to try match our setting
with the setting of the original film. A result of this was that we had to
change the position of the camera in a particular shot when Archer enters the
office (2:00), and frame him entering the shot from the right side of the room
not the left. Our group also had no access to a lapel microphone, so we only
had the microphone that was built into the camera. This will be become a
challenge for when I begin to film my own project, and figuring out how to use
them effectively.
Our group ended up with a few extra hours before the
deadline, so we decided to create a gag reel of all the wasted or humorous
clips that we had left. The gag reel is evidence of the obstacles you have to
overcome when working with amateur actors that are nervous in front of the
camera, and the pressure they are under to learn the script.
In conclusion, I feel my groups’ reconstruction of the
Maltese Falcon was well organised and we were able to work together effectively
and create a convincing sequence that allowed us to practice our filming,
editing, and team working skills.
