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

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

evaluation stages?

Planning and Research (Film)

During my planning and research I found websites such as Netflix,Vimeo and Youtube invaluable in helping me to shape my short film.

This was because I was able to research films which fit the genrein which I was aspiring to create such as 'Reservoir Dogs' and' Miller'sCrossing' via Netflix. In turn this helped establish clear generic conventions of the Gangster genre which greatly influenced my film.Examples of this include the garage setting and the formal attire of thegangsters within my film.

I was also able to do further research on short films themselves and how they are constructed. Through Vimeo and Youtube I was able toview a wide range of short films ranging from an experimental ChristopherNolan short called 'Doodlebug' to 'Connection' a true story directed by a Belarusian named Vladimir Shcherban. By watching these short films Iwas able to gather that I would only need one or two different locations.

Planning and Research (Poster and Review) In the planning of my poster and review Google was pivotal in helping me to develop my ideas. Firstly for my poster I was ableto search in Google Images, quickly and efficiently, posters ofother Gangster films. The film poster which had the greatest impactin my research was 'Mesrine: Killer Instinct'. Looking at other postersshowed me some necessities which I would need in mine: a title whichsticks out, key credits and a picture which captures the feel of the film.

In terms of my review I first used Google to find film magazine websitessuch as TotalFilm.com and Empire.com. By using the online magazinesI was able to analyse how film reviews are written which influenced myfinal piece. Then I went back to Google Images to find out what the reviewsactually looked like and what they consisted of. I then put my two elements of research together in order to create my final piece.

Construction (Film)There were several key technologies involved within the constructionof my short film. The most prominent of these technologies were FinalCut Pro, Audio Network and the social networking site Facebook.

Final Cut Pro was the software which I used in the editing of my filmwhich was an upgrade from Final Cut Express which I used for my ASfilm opening. This newer version was much more convenient and lesstime consuming, for example I no longer had to render my footage as thiswas done automatically. Through Final Cut Pro I was able to get the best out my footage. One way I managed this was through the colour grading of my film. In my original footage it appeared very bright so I went about making the saturation and the brightness lower which made the lighting fit the tone which I was trying to achieve.

I also had to collaborate different technologies in the construction of my film.One example of this is how I combined Audio Network and Final Cut inorder to edit in the music I had selected for my film. In Final Cut I was ableto take this music and at first have it playing softly at the start of my film. Thentowards the end I was able to reintroduce the music but for a different effect. Iwas able to change the volume of the music here and by doing this I was able to build up suspense in the last forty seconds of my film.

Social networking sites such as Facebook had great importance in the constructionstage of my film; this is because without them then I would have had great difficulty in arranging dates and locations for filming for four actors and myself.

Construction (Review and Poster)

The most important technology I used in the construction stage of my review and my poster was Adobe Photoshop. With this software I was able to put together my ancillary tasks.

This was the first time I had used Photoshop so it took me some time to get used to it but after a short period I was ready to create my ancillary products. Using Photoshop allowed me to edit my products in layers; this allowed me to focus on individual aspects more closely.

I also found myself back on Google during the construction as I needed to find out the fonts used within professional film posters. After I found out I downloaded a new font call Steel Tongs from fonts2u.com

After finding the correct fonts and layouts for both my poster and review Photoshop allowed me to edit my final products together quick and effectively as I had done enough research to understand what they should look like

Evaluation Stage

For the evaluation of my products I used a number of different technologies including Prezi, slideshare and recording equipment

The first technology I need to use though was a online survey website called SurveyMonkey. I used this website to both create and analyse a audience feedback questionnaire which would in turn help me answer the audience feedback question in my evaluation.

Prezi was a very useful tool in answering question 3 of my evaluation. I had never used Prezi before but the simplicity of the website made it very easy to get used to. This software allowed me to be more creative than a normal essay as I could link in pictures and videos with the analytical text.

In terms of SlideShare, I had used it before in terms of looking at presentations but I had never uploaded one upon it. After signing up for free I realised that all I would have to do was create a powerpoint and then upload it straight to the website. This way of presenting was similar to Prezi in the way that I could place images in the document with my analysis.

I also created a podcast for one of my evaluation questions and here I used two technologies. I firstly used the recording equipment which I had used for filming my original project so I was already used to the process of recording sound. Then I had to sign up to another free website called SoundCloud; this website enabled me to upload my podcast onto the internet so that I could embed it in my Wordpress blog.