How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and

evaluation stages?

By Rebecca Legister-Anderson

Research

Blogger.com

The main pro of using blogger, is the ability to

be able to access it easily with an internet

connection.

I researched previous A2 media blogs on blogger.com to see what we had to achieve for a high level from a variety of blogs. This included a detailed blog and a clear, concise well edited video.

YouTube

We also watched examples of videos that aspired us for our potential video.

We also watched videos of past students work on Youtube.com to see the high and low graded videos to a guide on what to do and what not to do.

Safari

During research, I used safari to find record labels for our band, in this case, XL recordings as well as other independent and major labels record labels.

Using Apple’s browsing software, ‘Safari’ I was able to

view a variety of resources such as images and videos that lesser browsers would be able to provide because of unable

to high quality videos. However, when the interent, this service is unable, which

can cause major problems. I.e unable to update on blogger.

Gmail

This was invaluable way for

communicating with the band, however

lack of internet made this redundant

at times, making it unreliable

Used to get in contact with the band, Changing Modes, for permission for soundtrack.

Planning

Slideshare.com

I used slideshare to upload my PowerPoint presentation for my pitch. The advantages include

being able to upload the PowerPoint to blogger, as there would be problems uploading

straight from PowerPoint.

Slideshare also helps us to keep us organized, as we can easily

refer back to the presentations for ideas for the project.

However, at times the powerpoint will not upload

because of ‘errors’, effectively wasting time.

Blogger.com

To record and date while in planning stages.

Extremely useful for

updating plans about the

video, quick and convenient. However, lack

of internet would cause

major disruption.

Digital Cameras Used for Reece shots

and potential costumes for the

video. The small size made it easily

portable to different locations and easily

to upload to the Mac.

However, we would often have

problems with batteries as they

would need changing often,

making it inconvenient.

I Movie

Used I stop to capture storyboard frames and turn it into anianmatic.

This was an effective way to view our storyboard to see how it would match with the track. However, we had so many frames that it would crash constantly.

Microsoft word

Used to create the shot list. Able to

create a detail shot list, that can be

viewed on easily in grid form and printed

off to be taken anywhere.

Production

Digital CamerasI used digital cameras during production for

risk assessment- taking pictures of potential hazard

objects, during the shot.

Camera Recorders

Used to record footage on. The

advantage of using camera recorders is

that they are portable and essential for the

project.

However, I often had problems with the

batteries, including the camera began with low

batteries, given less time to film or the batteries would die

fairly quickly. This puts more pressure to film quickly, especially in a

location where you cannot recharge.

Flip cameras

It was extremely easy to use as the controls are simple to record and playback, with an usb attached, making it easy

to download. However, if footage was not uploaded

straight away, it would easily become lost, or get deleted

by accident.

At the beginning of production, I used he flip cameras to record a mini doc of behind the scenes

of the video.

Lighting

We used professional lighting kits, to

brighten the room and bring a clearer, more professional

quality for the video.

Although , it is extremely hard to

carry, making it difficult to carry to various locations.

Blogger.com

Used to update

blog about every

shoot.

A positive aspect for

us throughout production is the ability

to update from any

computer.

Post Production

Final cut ExpressUsed to edit the

footage, it is difficult to

understand the program at first

use, often making progress slow.

Although it allows us to add

visual effects. Examples are

split screen and text with the

video, making it more visually interesting.

Adobe Photoshop CS3Used to create the digipak and poster

for the band. Photoshop allows

use to visually manipulate a

picture, to change colour and add

typography, which we applied to our

ancillary.

Photoshop can be difficult to use, especially for a first time user, making it

time consuming for us.

Evaluation

Flip cameras

Used to record audience

feedback. We easily were able

to upload to blogger due to

the usb attached.

Youtube

Use the web 2.0 site to upload our video, so

viewers can easily view it. I also used it to put

annotations, explaining decisions for the video for the evaluation. Was fairly easy to upload but

requires internet connection.

Facebook

Using another web 2.0 site, I was able to promote and gain feedback for the

evaluation quickly. The only negative side, it

that the video can only be viewed to certain

people, whereas Youtube is world wide.

GrabI used grab frequently to compare the music video to other existing texts, to show our intention within the video. Grab allows to create a ‘snapshot’ of

whatever you wish. It is extremely easy to use, however it does not work with

Photoshop, which caused problems when we wanted to show our poster in

progress.

Blogger.com

Used to recorded feedback of given

for digipak, poster and video.

GmailUsed to receive

feedback from the band and include . A quick

and easy to communicate with

them.