Comparative Screengrabs of Preliminary Task and Thriller Opening Sequence
1) Preparation Differences
The Main Task was much complicated because in the Preliminary Task we have not used any special costumes, the set, props were not considered and the cast was not chosen according to the subject matter. In addition, the idea was not original, the dialogue simple and we did not have to come up with all the ideas as we were given the script unlike our thriller project . Shots were not complicated and when we edited them, we just cut them together and the main aim was that they match. In the Main Task it took us quite a long time to develop the idea and agree on a manageable and original one. The idea changed a couple of times as it was not possible to be filmed in the locations provided or it would have been complicated. When we decided what we are going to do, we started working on floor plans, storyboarding, shot list, dialogue, props and a cast list. We made a couple of power-point presentations in order to organize our information and think about problems that might occur, such as finding the right props, make sure that we have a suitable cast, solve location problems etc.; we also needed to make sure that the location and the props would suit the atmosphere of the thriller and sort out all the props like providing a wall of photos had to be taken into consideration because it is time consuming. The lighting was also important on the set and we had to be sure that there will not be any reflections (as we had in our preliminary task - white board) or the light being too bright for the mood of the thriller.2) Development of film-making skills
As you can see in these screengrabs the preliminary task ones are very simple and basic. However, in the Main Task we developed our film-making skills by experimenting and trying out new shots and we had to decide which shots to use, which are also much more complicated than the ones we have done in the preliminary task. For example we did a long pan across and a long tracking shot, which would not have been possible in the preliminary task because we had our first actual experience with a camera. The fact that we have learnt later about different types of shots and editing techniques helped us to come up with these ideas of more complicated shots as we did a lot of research of similar thrillers, title sequences and consequently our knowledge broadened and our way of looking at films developed by looking at them in greater depth. The fact that we had to reinforce a specific film genre (thriller) made it more complicated because before in the prelim task we did not need to know specific why and what exactly the people in the sequence are doing. However, in the thriller sequence we had to have not only an idea what the images would convey, but we had to take into consideration the types of shots we were using e.g. the tracking shot helped in order to reinforce the mystery around the pictures and the blind spot. 
Tracking Shot (Beginning)3) Use of Camera
In the Prelim Task the shots were already given for us, so for the Main Task we had to come up with ideas and suitable shots ourselves and had to discuss them as a group. The fact that we started with very basic shots in the Prelim Task as over shoulder shot, wide shot, we were not very confident with the camera and it took us longer time to set up. We still had problems with head space, sticking to the 180 degree rule and really had to think about everything twice as we were not confident about our work. Whereas in the Main Task taking the fact that we all put thoughts and effort into creating the new production it was far more casual and interesting because we had the courage and confidence to take risks and use different types of shots and techniques, which made the shooting far more exciting. We were braver and due to the fact that we had more experience with the camera, our skills were improved, our shot framing was also far better than the one in the preliminary task. In the Prelim Task some of the shots were not on focus and the lighting was not thought through in comparison with the Main Task when we made sure that every shot is in focus, the white balance is alright and the framing is good in order to avoid such mistakes and not to have the problem in a later stage of post-production when we did not take enough good material.
4) Use of Sound
In the Prelim Task we did not add any additional sound or sound effects except from the dialogue. However, in the Main Task we used Soundtrack Pro in order to increase the tension by adding non-diegetic music to the action. We did not use only soundtracks, but also sounds like footsteps and a door slam, which helped to create the wanted effect which was to emphasize the fast cuts and the action shots. In addition, we had to increase the volume of the dialogues, footsteps, natural sounds recorded on the day in order to be clearer and louder. Moreover, we had to make clear choices on the soundtrack we use in the background, which was rather difficult decision because we wanted to use the non-diegetic music in order to increase the tension and add to the thriller atmosphere without being too distractive. Therefore we had to take out some tracks of the chosen soundtrack in order to make it simpler and we decreased the volume, so it was not too loud. At the end when the climax comes and we see the photo of the main actress and the same shot we used an ambient sound, which was rather earpiercing in order to convey the distress of her and show the audience what they need to look out for. We learnt how to increase the volume smoothly rather than abrupt.
5) Use of Final Cut and After Effects
We did not learn how to use the additional tools in Final Cut for the Prelim Task except from cutting the different shots. However, this time in the Main Task we learnt how to cross fade to images, not only for the shots, but also the sound effects, which gave both smooth changes. We also learnt how to use the programm more in depth and learnt how to do the same tools but quicker and more efficient than before. We realized that editing the Main Task would be far more time consuming and problems like choosing the right shots would take its time. Also choosing the best shots from the shoot day was also not easy job to make because taking the fact that we took the shots ourselves, so sometimes they were shaky and so we had to take difficult decisions. We learnt how to add titles to our thriller, which I found very exciting because the titles and then the After Effects made the thriller seem more professional and interesting than before. We used Final Cut to put the titles in the right places roughly. Then we turned the shootage into HD, which changed the quality drasticaly and changed the font to a suitable one for thrillers (as we followed our reasearch). Then we had to take into consideration in what order the titles would appear on the screen and where, which size. At the end we did some motiontracking to the titles, which added a more professional look to it and made it more mysterios and interesting. 
