C

EVALUATION QUESTION FOUR:

HOW DID YOU USE NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION

AND RESEARCH, PLANNING AND EVALUATION STAGES?

CONSTRUCTION• During the construction of our music video, we used a DSLR Canon EOS

650D to film, both freehand and using a tripod. We also used this same camera during the photoshoot for our digipak cover. As we only used the basic functions of the camera, we relied mostly on the post-production process to make our video look professional.

• We used the video editing software Final Cut Pro to edit our footage. This editing software was new to me and so took some getting used to. However, after editing our practice video for Britney Spears' Baby One More Time, I gained experience and confidence when working with this software.

• A key feature we used throughout the music video was the 'fade to white' transition - our music video's storyline featured many flashbacks and we felt that this transition successfully informed viewers on when if the scene was in the past or not.

• We were also able to zoom in on the editing timeline in order to match the clip to the music accurately so the lip sync was in perfect time with the track. This put me in the position of an editor as I was able to experience and understand the precision that is needed when editing a video that will be released to the public and ensuring that the music and visual are synced perfectly.

CONSTRUCTION (CONT.)• When editing our digipak, we used Adobe Photoshop. The final images from our

photoshoot for the digipak cover came out pixelated as they were taken on a very sunny day meaning we had to manipulate them. We did this by making the image slightly blurry so to blur out the harshness of the pixels but not so much that it would effect the visibility of the image. We also decreased the brightness to counteract the strength of the sun in the pictures.

• We also used Photoshop to put our six panels together, add writing to them (for example, the album title and the track-listing on the back cover) and create a disc shape from one of the images.

• Photoshop was also used to create the magazine advert as I had to crop around the artist's body in order to place it on a plain black background. I also used it to put the album cover on top of this image and add writing to the whole product. I used the 'bevel and emboss' function in order to make the writing more visible where it might disappear into the background.

• Using Photoshop to create these two products put me in the role of an editor as I was able to understand the importance of including all of the important conventions of these products and ensure that every important feature was clear and stood out.

RESEARCH• The internet was a key tool during the research

stage. Google assisted in researching conventions of music videos, digipaks and magazine adverts; most specifically, Google Images and YouTube.

• When researching Tyler Noel's target audience, Twitter, Facebook and Soundcloud came in handy as I was able to look at her existing fan base and base our target demographic on that.

• I then used PowerPoint and Prezi in order to record my findings on these key elements of research so all of this information can be referred to easily and clearly.

• This put me in the role of a producer and director as I was able to base my final decisions on my findings

PLANNING• The first step we took when planning the music video was creating

a PowerPoint presentation in which we presented our lyric analysis, different plot ideas, locations, props and characters. We used this to make a final pitch and get feedback on which ideas were good and which ones needed to be looked over again. This put me in the role of a producer/director as I was able to consider all of the locations, props etc. that were available to me and make the most fitting choices based on my research

• From this, we then created our animatic by importing drawings of our storyboard and our chosen song - If You Wanna Leave - into a video editor. I used Adobe Premier to edit each shot to match how long we wanted it to last in the real video. This helped us get an idea of what we wanted our final product to look like.

• When planning our digipak, we used Photoshop to mock up some possible images for the different faces and the disc. This helped in deciding what kind of images are most appropriate for the digipak.

EVALUATIONWhen evaluating my three products, I used four different electronic formats:

• QUESTION ONE: I recorded myself talking and used Adobe Premiere to put this recording over images and video clips of existing texts in order to evaluate how my products relate to conventions of music videos, digipaks and magazine adverts. I then posted this onto my blog and wrote a short summary of my key points under the video.

• QUESTION TWO: I used a Prezi to present my answer to question two. I was able to import videos and images in order to show examples of how my products are connected. This made it easy for me to express my points clearly.

• QUESTION THREE: I created a regular blog post so I could include video clips of audience responses as well as images of YouTube comments and quotes made by individuals who have seen our products.

• QUESTION FOUR: I used a PowerPoint for this question as it was the only question that did not require videos in its response. I was able to use still images to creatively present my answer. I then uploaded it to SlideShare and embedded it onto my blog.