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

Research

Here is an example of a film I researched (scene 26) on the BBC website.

To research into existing short films we used the internet to access Youtube and the BBC film network.

I then used Microsoft Offices Publisher and Power Point to display my research, into tables, graphs and collages. These were quick and easy to use programmes, allowing me to efficiently work, also making it easy to display on my Blog.

Research

Using Google allowed me to research further into online short films, and also research into technical film conventions and key elements. It also allowed me to develop my knowledge into definitions of things such as ‘Enigma Codes’.

Research

Planning

I used an SLR digital camera to take pictures of our initial setting ideas. Also to take images of our mind map’s to display on our Blogs.

I also used a webcam to create mine and Abigail’s animations. As part of our practice tasks, to establish how to use the computers film programmes and to develop our knowledge within ‘continuity’. Also being the fastest as the images would automatically upload.

I used Windows movie maker to edit the film animations we made. Developing our skills with this more.

I also created some initial practice shots, to learn and develop the basic skills of how to use the camera and accessories, to ensure we knew what we were doing and were ready for production.

Accessories include: tripod, charger and camera effects.

Planning

Using the Sony HD video camera allowed us to create clear and detailed shots, ensuring our film looks professionally made to a viewer.

Construction

I also used a Kodaz playfull HD video camera, of which we used in scenes were we needed the sound to be improved as it was best to picking it up.

I also used my own digital camera, Kodak HD Video 5x, to take images for my ancillary tasks.

We also used again the SLR Canon digital camera to film some of the shots that were too dark to be picked up on the Sony camcorder. (chase scenes)

I used online websites also, to help with the construction of my work. Including;

www.dafont.com to create fonts for my ancillary tasks, to create a professional effect, also as they had many options

www.incompetec.com/royalty-free to use non-copyrighted music to be used in our film, to add suspense and tension whilst making it more conventional and realistic,

www. Empire.com/reviews to gain more research for my ancillary task of reviewing my film

Construction

To edit our film we used Adobe Premier Elements 9. We used this as we felt it was best suited for our film, and was also easy to set up and learn. Once we grasped the main basics we were able to manipulate them to how we wanted to edit our film. Even though we had some difficulties with the programme, for example transferring it onto a disk correct. However overall allowed us to create our final product successfully.

Microsoft Paint was also used to contribute to the editing of my images.

Construction

To edit my images for my ancillary tasks I used Picasa and Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0.

Adobe Photoshop Elements is the consumer version of the Adobe Photoshop raster image editing product, the program allowed me to create, edit, organize and share images, all from the same product.

Picasa is an image organizer and image viewer for organizing and editing digital photos. I also used this within my work, for a faster and simpler way of editing my images.

Construction

We also used many accessories within the construction of our film to help contribute to the final product, including:

Memory stick- this became essential for transferring our work to each other or to school from home, a simple yet effective technique of holding our work.

We used torches and lamps to create the effective ‘thriller’ lighting when filming our footage.

Camera accessories such as the tripod and charger were used to ensure we had steady and accurate shots, also that the camera was ready to use for us.

A laptop to play our music in the bedroom scenes and in our ‘PULSE’ ident.

Construction

To create my evaluation I used many different programmes. Here I have used Microsoft Offices PowerPoint to create a

slideshow of which I will put into Slide Share and update onto my Blog. This is to create an effective way of displaying my work and showing my range within media technologies.

I have also used Microsoft Office Publisher to display some images used in my evaluation.

Both of these programmes are easy to use, and accessable from most computers, as I have been using these for years I was confident in working with them.

SlidShare was also very easy to set up and I had no problems with the system.

Evaluation

I also used Prezi to display some of my work within my evaluation. I found this programme rather difficult to use to begin with however soon grasped the basics and was able to use it.

Evaluation

Throughout my coursework this year I have used my blog, on blogger.com, to display my work and track my progress. This has helped to see how I have developed and grown through the year and also to have easy access to my work if I need to change or update anything. As I used blogger.com all last year I was already extremely confident with how to use it and has no problems with the programme.

I also had to update my blog when I went on holiday to Spain. I therefore brought an iTouch with me and was able to access the Internet and keep updating my blog on that, this was easy to use and very handy to ensure I completed my work within the deadlines.

Evaluation