Lucy-Anne Richardson

Throughout the research and planning process, I have encountered

many different media technologies that have allowed me to make

my work and products look professional as well as gaining

information for research. By using computers or MACs, I have

been able to access the internet which has been largely the basis

of my work in this stage. The internet has allowed me to do

research into institutions and logistics (as seen in previous

presentations) which has helped me form ideas about my work.

Also, I have been able to look at secondary research such as

example of film posters, when it comes to thinking about

conventional methods of application. The internet has then led me

to use Wordpress which has allowed me to not only post my work,

but to also be able to look back on work (to keep up to date with

the production schedule for example) . The production logs also

help to keep up to dater and advance my ideas further.

The individual target shown throughout the entire process on the

blogs has also helped improve my work through looking at ‘wider

reading’ more such as theories and books; rather than solely the

internet. I have been able to use a digital camera for the location

scouting stage which has not only shown where the trailer will be

taking place but also allows me to gather ideas from this throughout

the script and storyboard.

Traditional programmes such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and

Excel have also been widely used to show my work such as the

budget in which I used Excel. This software enabled the budget to

add the total by itself through the use of formulas for example. All of

the media technologies I have used have helped me gain access to

the ideas that now exist through my final products. By using a

variety of different methods such as the above, I have not only

shown my work ion a productive and professional manner, but I

have also been able to learn new programmes which can be used

in the future.

The construction stages of this process have introduced more technologies that I

have not had the chance to use before. The internet is still largely used, as well

as the blog so I can update the new findings and products. The use of mobile

phones has been effective as I can keep in contact with the actors within the

trailer (location, what time and date, in case of emergency etc.) as well as

calling and texting the location owner for approval and consent to use the

location for that certain set period of time.

Photoshop has been a huge part of the construction when creating the ancillary

tasks. I have used this programme for not only the final poster and magazine

cover, but also for the designs leading up to them such as the mock up designs

and skeleton layouts. Using this programme has helped me to make these

creations look effective and professional. As I have used Photoshop previously

(such as AS work) I was able to use this knowledge and advance it further.

For the main product, the trailer was shot using a video camera and boom

microphone as I had audio within it. Some of the shooting was quite challenging

as I had to apply knowledge such as camera angles and different techniques

such as panning and tilting which I have not applied previously (with regard to

filming on a video camera). However, I feel I have used a variety of shots,

angles and effects to make my trailer look professional.

The use of the boom mic has also increased the professionalism

compared to the inbuilt microphone on the camera which would sound

amateur. The placement of the boom mic and the person who hols it was

also quite challenging and in some ways restricting. The location (inside)

was quite small so it was difficult to hide the person holding the boom

mic. Throughout the edit decision list, I did not include some shots due

to this.

Final Cut Pro was the main programme I used for the construction and

editing of the trailer. I found it quite difficult at first as I had not had much

practise with using certain tools and transitions. However, through using

online tutorials that other people have put on sites such as YouTube and

Wordpress, I was able to expand my knowledge and learn new tools that

have helped me such as the title safe which allowed me to place my text

correctly and different audio/video transitions. I also encountered

Soundtrack Pro which I have never used before. With the guidance of

my tutor, I was able to download and use many different sound effects

and background music that has allowed the trailer to create suspense

and tension within the audience. I was able to match these effects with

certain actions in the trailer which assisted the overall effect and look . I

can now use all of the above when doing another similar project.

The technology used for the evaluation process was

computer/MAC based. I wanted to use a range of different

programmes so that I could show my ideas in an easier,

more professional format. I did not want it to be in essay

form or all on one blog post as it would be dull to read.

Firstly, I used a programme name ‘Prezi’ which I used

through an internet website. As I had never used one

before, I found it slightly difficult to use. However, after

watching a short tutorial, it was much easier to input the

information whilst having a creative and fun edge to the

presentation. I felt using Wordpress for the second question

was best as I could lay it out in an easy, simple manner so I

could explain my ideas fully. I also included different

images that mirrored my points.

Within the AS evaluation, I used a voice recording which I

felt was effective, so I decided to use this to explain the

findings for question 3. As this answer was showing the

audience feedback, I thought it was easier to explain it

rather than in full sentences. I still wanted to include pictures

of my findings and the questionnaire I used so I have written

up the script I used to answer the question underneath and

have inserted the images also.

Lastly, PowerPoint was another easy method to use and I

could separate categories on different slides such as

‘Research and Planning’, ‘Construction’ and ‘Evaluation’.

Overall, the varieties of programmes has expanded my

knowledge that I could possibly use in the future. It has also

created a basis for my work to be shown and is the sole

reason I was able to create all of these products.