MEST2: Preliminary Exercise

The first aspect of your MEST2 coursework is a preliminary exercise that introduces the basics of narrative filmmaking.

This is a brilliant opportunity to get to know our DSLR cameras, the 50mm lens that produces exceptional cinematography - and most importantly develop a working relationship with the group you plan to work with for the actual coursework.

Preliminary exercise: Continuity task

Your preliminary exercise involves filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. 

This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule. 

Time allowed: two weeks

You are advised to work in the group that you will work in for your MEST2 coursework project.

Key skills

The following clips and links should help you with the key skills you need to demonstrate in your preliminary exercise.

Match on action


Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot showing the same action of the subject in the first shot.


This creates the impression of continuity - the action creates a 'visual bridge' which is easy for the audience to follow.

Look at this YouTube clip for match on action - the cuts you want to look at in particular are at 2 seconds, then again at 18 seconds:

Note: if video does not embed, click on this link to open in YouTube.

Shot/reverse shot

Shot/reverse shot uses over-the-shoulder shots to show a conversation between two characters. Look at this example from the Hunger Games movie - specifically between 0.50 and 1.30.

Note: if video does not embed, click on this link to open in YouTube.

With shot/reverse shot, you need to observe the 180 degree rule. 

180 degree rule

The 180-degree rule of shooting and editing keeps the camera on one side of the action. This keeps characters grounded compositionally on a particular side of the screen or frame, and keeps them looking at one another when only one character is seen onscreen at a time. 


It is referred to as a rule because the camera, when shooting two actors, must not cross over the axis of action; if it does, it risks giving the impression that the actors' positions in the scene have been reversed. [source: Columbia Film Language Glossary]

In other words, draw an imaginary line between the two characters facing each other and then make sure the camera never crosses that line during the filming of that scene. This video is a brilliant explanation of the rule:

Note: if video does not embed, click on this link to open in YouTube.


Task list: planning

1. Sort out your group (if you haven’t done so already). An absolute maximum of FOUR in each group is set by the exam board AQA.
2. Discuss what your preliminary exercise will involve – location, sequence of events, who will act etc.
3. Write a short script for the preliminary exercise. Remember, scripts outline movement and shots as well as dialogue. The BBC Writer's Room is a brilliant resource for tips and examples of TV scriptwriting. Here's a genuine TV script example from Luther to check you are formatting your script correctly.
4. Write a shot list of every possible shot (and a few extra) you will need for this preliminary exercise. An example shot list is here.
5. Draw a complete storyboard for the sequence you plan to shoot - every shot should be in there. Storyboard sheets are available on the top of the filing cabinet in the corner of DF07.
6. Upload your completed planning to your blog then let your teacher know. You can then book out a camera and start shooting.

You can start shooting from next week but will not be able to borrow a camera without showing you have completed your planning.