Media Evaluation question 4 - Max Qayyum

Question 4 - how did you use media technologies in the construction, research,

planning and evaluation stages?

by Max Qayyum

Sunday, 24 February 13

Research and Planning• In the beginning of the coursework we started mapping out ideas

without the use of media technologies, ie. by using mindmaps, and listing all the topics we would like to cover. When we came to planning the documentary, we also used storyboards and lists to gather our ideas rather than using media technologies.

• When researching the topic, the internet was the most important resource, as expected, into finding specific information.

• We used Windows 7 at college with Internet Explorer to browse the internet, but at home I was using Mac OS X running Google Chrome.

• Websites of use turned out to be popular news websites such as The Guardian, BBC and The Times, but in addition to this, the UCAS website was invaluable in finding specific education information.

•Sunday, 24 February 13

• In addition to researching the topic, we also had to research TV channels to find out which one our documentary would suit. To do this we looked at TV listing websites such as TV Guide, as well as BBC, ITV and Channel 4’s actual websites. Looking at their schedules helped to find if they showed any similar programs, what times would be suitable for our documentary to be shown, etc.

• When it came to researching into other documentaries, we used services such as iPlayer to rewatch any documentaries they had recently shown (such as “Africa”), as well as ITV Player (“on Death Row with Trevor McDonald”) and 4od (“The Hotel”).

• For older documentaries which couldn’t be streamed, or older DVD releases, they were sometimes available for viewing on Youtube.

Research and planning, continued


• When contacted each other we would often use email services such as Gmail to send ideas back and forth. It allowed us to attach files so that we could edit them and reply.

• When it came to posting our work, we used the blogging service Blogger.com which was set up by the college.

• It allowed us to publish our posts publicly, ad we found it useful in the later stages as all of our previous work was easy to find.

• You cannot upload files such as Word Documents or Powerpoint Presentations, so first we uploaded our files to services such as Scribd and Slideshare, and then embedded them in the blog posts.

Embed code from ScribdEmbedded files from Scribd and Slideshare

Research and planning, continued


Construction - filming the documentary

• We filmed the documentary on a Canon camera which had a manual focus ring. We found this very useful when performing focus racks.

• When recording interviews, both professional interviews and vox pops, we used a tripod. This helped in making the interviews look professional, as well as allowing us to perform pans and zooms in other shots while keeping the camera steady.

• We used a directional microphone in shots where sound was required. We made sure that it was always kept out of the shot to keep it professional. When sound was not needed in shots, we didn’t use the microphone.

• To monitor the sound being recorded, the person controlling the microphone would also use headphones.

• We tested everything before interviews and set the equipment up very specifically, as to avoid making any errors.


Construction - recording the voiceover for the documentary

• When it came to recording the voiceover, we decided to use the resources available to use and record them in a college studio. This allowed us to use the professional equipment and software. We recorded the audio on Logic Pro, changed some settings and exported it as an MP3 file which could then be simply dragged and dropped into our Final Cut project.

The project in Logic Pro

Custom settings - applying a more professional feel

Exporting the

project


• After the completion of filming, we transferred all of our footage to an iMac. The first thing to do was log & transfer all of the footage. We watched all of the videos prior to the log and transfer process as some were deemed redundant or no longer required. We then transferred the required videos. We also named all of the clips before transferring them, for easy selection.

Construction - editing

Clip 2 is added to queue

The log and transfer process

Clip 2 is now in the video window along with all of our

other footage


Construction - editing, continued• We placed the clips onto the timeline and then

adjusted them.

• For the most part, straight cuts were used. However, we occasionally used cross dissolves.

The editing toolbar was very useful, easily allowing us to cut videos and zoom in as well as other features.

Cross dissolve was selected from the effects browser and dragged onto the timeline, where required.


Construction - editing, continuedFor this shot, we decided to speed

up the video, which was very easy to do.

This shot was sped up to 203%.

We occasionally used cross fades for the sound as to not make it start or end too abruptly.


Construction - editing, continued• In addition to using cross

fades for the sound, we took careful care in adjusting the sound levels to make sure nothing sounded too abrupt and that the sound flowed correctly.

We used the Degree or Not Degree logo within the documentary, which simply meant dragging and dropping

the image file into the timeline.


Construction - editing, continued• Some of the shots needed

text to be overlaid. This included the professional interviews which needed the interviewee’s name and profession.

We used a scrolling shot of university folders and overlaid text which repeated statistics which were being said in the voiceover to reinforce them.

• They appeared on screen as they were being spoken as can be seen in the screenshot.


Construction - editing, continuedWhen the video was complete we

had to export it.

We also exported a Youtube friendly

version to be embedded on our blog, using these

settings

The final timeline


Construction - creating the music • We used Garageband to create the music used in both the documentary and radio

trail. We used the in-built loops, dragged from the loop browser, shown below.

We carefully adjusted the sound levels for the music.

The finished project.

We used these settings to export the music as a high quality MP3 file,

available to drag and drop straight into the Final Cut project.


Construction - creating the radio trail voiceover

• As with the voiceover for the documentary, we went to the college studio and recorded the radio trail voiceover there, using Logic Pro.

• We changed specific settings to alter the sound and give it a more professional feel.

The final project These settings were used to export the voiceover as an MP3 file and it was later dragged and dropped into

the Garageband project.


Construction - creating the radio trail

The voiceover was added, along with the music used for the documentary. We also exported some clips from Logic Pro as

audio only and used them. We made sure the sound levels were correct throughout,

and also used a fade out at the end.


Construction - creating the magazine article

• Before assembling the article itself, we first of all took brand new photos to be used on the same cameras we used to record the documentary. After these had been taken we edited them in Photoshop.

We adjusted the curves to give the images a warmer feel.



• For each of the images used, we first of all created blank white boxes in Indesign. We made sure they were slightly bigger than the images and dragged the images on top. This made them stand out more.



• To make them stand out even more, we applied the same drop shadow to each box. The same drop shadow was also used on text, where required.



• The construction of the article, stage by stage.Adding the first white box and applying the

background, as well as page numbers after setting the page up as a double page spread

Adding the main image

Adding a smaller image Applying the boxes which provide more information



• The construction of the article, stage by stage.Adding some text and applying drop

shadowsAdding more images with white boxes

and drop shadows

Adding the main body of text Adding the last bit of text. Finished version


• In creating the evaluation, I simply used Word for questions 1 and 2. I uploaded these to Scribd, where they were able to embed into a blog post on our Blogger blog.

• Similarly, I uploaded question 4 to Slideshare, where it was available to embed into a blog post.

Evaluation


• For question 3, I used Prezi. Prezi allows users to create interactive slideshows, but interactive media is available to be embedded in them. This was useful as I was able to include a Youtube video we had recorded. For this question I had also created some graphs and charts to display data we collected from our questionnaires. This was done in Excel.

Evaluation


Media Evaluation question 4 - Max Qayyum

Documents

websites of use

construction editing

use of media technologies

professional interviews

required videos

tv listing websites

cross fades

professional equipment