What have you learned about

technologies from the process of

constructing your media product?

By Taylor Kyte

The beginning I started off using basic technology such as google to research into similar existing topics in order to inspire myself and get ideas for my opening, I also continued to use google throughout my development of my idea\ in order to find out the key conventions and other things regarding my product and gain more knowledge on what my genre requires and the sub genres that also exist relating to my product. I also used Microsoft word to write down any initial research my time plan and the different ways in which I was going to complete my tasks and research. Although these were the most basic programme and I already knew how to use them, using them really helped me throughout my production and planning of my product and showed me that there was lots of possibilities within these programmes.

What did I use to construct my Work?

The main technology I used to create my coursework in the first place was Blogger, I needed to document and construct all of my ideas and record all of my work. As I had never used the website or technology before it was a challenge for me because I had no clue whatsoever on how to create posts, add pictures or links to other websites such as Prezi or Slideshare. However after I had come to terms and begun to understand it a bit more it became a lot easier to use and document on. Towards the end of using my blog I also discovered how to create headings on my blog to show the different sections I has completed work in for example the heading ‘Planning’ then had links to my planning posts that I had created. Although I came to grips with using Blogger I also ran into a few problems along the way, for example when I was creating certain posts the pictures weren’t successfully inserting on to the correct places but I researched into how to correct it and extended my knowledge further.

What did I use to construct my

research?

Throughout my media blog we also had to use a variation of presentation methods/technology to show what work and research we had done per section. I found using Slideshare was incredibly helpful because I could simple create a normal PowerPoint and then simply drag and upload it to slideshare and it would create an interactive PowerPoint that I could place on my blog. However when I first started using this website I wasn’t aware that I could upload from powerpoint, I ran into the problem that I couldn’t write as much as I wanted to per slide this then restricted me on what I writing. To resolve this I asked my peers that were also using this website how they overcame any problems that then ran into that were similar to mine. Apart from these minor setbacks I would say that getting to grips with the technology was fairly easy.

How did I construct my research?

For my research I used a website called survey monkey, this allowed me to create a survey for my target audience research and to distribute it to my peers via email and get anonymous responses quickly. I used survey monkey to find out what attracts my audience and what they most prefer in a film in my genre. This was definitely beneficial because I got and equal amount of responses from my target age, I could also find out what they dislike and not include it in my film. I had previous knowledge of using survey monkey before which therefore helped me create and distribute my surveys quickly and to make sure it was done right.

PlanningFor my media coursework I had to create a preliminary task and then a final two minute opening. This required me to get to grips with a lot of different technologies and programmes. I used the Sony Handy-cam to film my preliminary task but then decided that I was going to use my own camera for my actual two minute opening this was because I ran into a variety of issues during filming my preliminary which mainly revolved around the situation of everyone needing the cameras at the same time so it was more rushed to film whereas when I used my own camera for filming I found it flowed a lot better because I had more time to think about how each shot was going to flow into the next which allowed me to create better continuity. Using two different cameras allowed me to understand how to use both of the effectively, I also used the knowledge I gathered from using the Sony camera and applied it when I was using my own camera, this helped as I already had knowledge from using my personal camera so it didn’t take long to get used to.

As I only knew the basics of putting together small clips on iMovie, I learned new skills when I moved on to using final cut pro, this was definitely something that increased my understanding and knowledge although it took a while to get to grips with and use confidently. Final cut pro allowed me to make my product look as professional as possible and to further my knowledge. With the use of final cut pro I was able to trim and cut the clips to create better continuity and to make it smooth running, I found that using advanced technology like final cut pro was more effective than the use of iMovie.

PlanningTo get my storyboard on my blog I decided to use a scanner/printer that I had easy access to, I decided to do this instead of taking a photo and adding it because it came out clearer and was easier to see, it also made it look more professional in comparison. However I had to make sure everything was set up correctly because the first time this happened I ran into a couple of problems as it wouldn’t link to the computer therefore I couldn’t get my work and lost time setting it up.

Production

In production I used a camera to shoot my short film opening. I wanted to use my own camera because it is higher quality and will look more professional in the long run. I used my camera which was a canon 450D.

Another website I used to help with my production was epidemic sound, this allowed me to browse royalty free music and download it in order to add it to my short film. I was going to add music from Youtube but I was unaware of copyright issues.I used Final cut pro to edit my media

product, I used this software because it is very high end and professional and had many techniques that helped me make my two minute opening look as good as possible. It had many sections that allowed me to create an effective final piece such as sound, transitions and credits and titles.

ProductionIn order to convert my media product onto my blog and YouTube I used a memory stick, however this was unsuccessful and I used another technique instead. I uploaded my short opening to my Copleston Frog account and then uploaded it to YouTube from there, this was a much faster process and means that I had access to it whenever I needed it. Uploading it to YouTube was also fairly easy because I simply had to upload it from my files. To then get it onto my blog I simply embedded it into the html on my blog which made it appear on my blog. As I had never posted on youTube before uploading it was a whole new experience for me.

Use of a digital camera

Throughout my production of my media product, I have learned a lot about the use of my own camera. It taught me how to effectively film and use the features of my camera like the manual zoom and focus to my own advantage. My first experience filming was in my preliminary task and I used a Sony handy-cam, however whilst editing I didn’t like the way the footage looked and wanted it to be higher quality, therefore for my two minute opening I used my own camera which was a Canon 450D and this created a higher quality product. When creating my final product I had learnt from creating my preliminary that having necessary equipment such as a tripod was extremely important to stop the camera from shaking and creating a smooth running sequence of clips, I did not use one for my preliminary and you can see the camera slightly shaking, however this helped to suit the genre of my two minute opening and a lot of the movements were handheld apart from the last half of the it which was filmed in the house. At first I struggled mainly to create a smooth panning/tracking movement as the camera was shaky but I overcame this when I used a tripod as it helped me get a steady frame as well as a consistent pace whilst doing the movement, you can see the difference from the starting shots in my opening compared to when she’s walking through the house. Overall the use of a digital camera for me was very easy to get to grips with and in my opinion very effective in helping me create my final piece and making it look as professional as possible.

Experience of final cut pro

To edit my final piece I used a Mac computer and the programme Final Cut Pro. This software allowed me to create a high quality piece and use many different techniques. Previously the only editing software I had used before was iMovie which was very simplistic, however the difference between both of the programmes is clear. For example with iMovie there were many restrictions, you could only simply cut and trim the shots and add a transition and some text, in comparison to final cut pro you can add effects, sounds, voice overs and effects on top of text, it shows how complex final cut pro is and how more professional it would make the piece in the end. Final cut pro opened up a new world of editing and techniques because I had never used it before therefore I had to learn a lot of new skills and how to work the programmes. Use of transitions, trimming, cutting and editing the speed allowed to me create a more professional looking piece and to demonstrate my skills more. Within the production stage I also used the software to help play on the conventions of a typical film of my genre, for example, shaky handheld movements and slow motion editing. I also added an effect to my production logo in order to make it fit my genre.I also cut unnecessary frames from my film and trimmed out the bits that I didn’t need, this really helped me when looking at continuity because it allowed me to smoothly transition into the next clip. At first I found it fairly complex and hard to get a grip of but after a while I found it easier when I started to understand how to use it more.

Enhanced creativity or technology

Looking back on the task I feel I have improved massively and technology has shown me a different side to media I wasn’t so aware of before especially when it comes to technology. Its allowed me to feel more comfortable using different technologies and made me go out of my comfort zone. I would aslo say creating a storyline from nothing has enchaced my creativitiyy as