Technologies Q

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

When researching existing trailers I used YouTube to access them. I watched the trailers an example shown above is ‘Taken.’ Following this, I then used Microsoft word to construct an analysis of the

trailer.

When researching into short films I used Google, found the BBC film network which features a variety of films from different genres. I then found short films that inspired me and chose to do my research on them. I print screened all the appropriate and effective stills and copied them onto Microsoft Publisher to complete an analysis on them.

I ALSO USED MICROSOFT POWERPOINT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MY EVALUATION AND MICROSOFT EDEXCEL WHILST MAKING PIE CHARTS AND BAR CHARTS FOR MY QUESTIONNAIRE FEEDBACK ANALYSIS.

We used a high quality Samsung ST200F Camera and took still images of ;- the locations of the film

-the pictures of the props, - the completed questionnaires,

-the actors, - the storyboards,

-pictures for ancillary tasksand many more.

These images were uploaded to my blog to explain the development throughout my coursework .

SAMSUNG ST200F CAMERA

Prezi is a web-based presentation application and storytelling tool that uses a single canvas instead of traditional slides enabling a piece of work to be more eye-catching and exciting. I used Prezi for the construction of one of my evaluation slides.

PREZI

SLIDE SHARESlide-Share is an online slide hosting service, where individuals can upload files in the following file formats such as PowerPoint. I have used Slide-Share for the majority of my evaluation as it allows my PowerPoint presentations to be seen on blogger where I can upload interesting visuals rather than a full block of text.

SURVEY MONKEYSurvey Monkey is an American website that enables users to create their own web-based professional surveys which we can then print off. I used this in the creation of our questionnaires for the film night.

ROYALTY FREE MUSICI used Royalty free music for the creation of our sound effects in our trailer for instance, the heart beat sound effect. This website stocks ‘library music’ copy right free without the need to pay any subsequent.

This website allowed me to test font styles to see which would be the most suitable for the title of our film and for the ancillary

tasks/ studio Ident.

MY FONTS

BLOGGERDuring the course I used blogger for my research, planning and evaluation stages to display the development of my work. Blogger allowed me to upload jpeg images, videos and add as many posts as I wanted. A benefit of using Blogger was it allowed easy access as I could use it at school and at home.

ADOBE PHOTOSHOPI used Adobe Photoshop to edit my images featured in my ancillary tasks. The programme included advanced features which allowed me to manipulate the colour and texture of my images. Also since Adobe is famously used to create flawless effects on surfaces and faces, this program allowed us to ‘clean up’ flaws such as shadows and blemishes on my magazine front cover.

ORIGINAL ORIGINALADJUSTING THE BRIGHTNESS AND MAKING THE BALLOON A BRIGHTER RED

CREATING A GREY BACKGROUND

The canon camera recorder allowed Bethany and I to capture clear footage for our scenes as well as, picking up sound clearly. One disadvantage of using this camera was it had limited battery life despite charging it for a long period of time. This would interfere with our filming schedule planned for that day. However, Bethany and I learnt to adapt with this in future filming sessions making sure if we were not filming the camera remained switched off until we all knew exactly what we were about to film.

CANON CAMERA RECORDER

LOGIC PRO 8This programme allowed me to record, edit and mix our own music using amps, pedals, effects, software instruments, a huge sound library and many more. I used this programme for the creation of the backing track in our trailer to set the required background music.

This was the editing programme Bethany and I used in order to turn our footage into a trailer. Previously, I had never used this software so was quite apprehensive. This programme contained template transitions, cutting tools, slow/fast motion support, text import, image support and many more special features. Bethany and I found editing very difficult at the start as we had no idea how to manage the programme. However, after a while we became use to this software and made full use of its advantages as the long editing process began. The following slides indicate some examples of how I used this editing programme.

ADOBE PREMIER 3

1) After finding the green preview screen via Google images, I imported the image from the Get Media folder to the Premier Elements 9 video editing software. The imported image was displayed here.

2) I then dragged it into the beginning of the trailer where I wanted it to feature.

3) Using these scissors I cut the length of the clip so it only lasted for a short amount of seconds.

The green band signifies that the trailer adheres to the standards for motion picture advertising outlined by the MPAA. The green band language states that a trailer has been approved for "appropriate" audiences, meaning that the material would be appropriate for audiences in cinemas, based on the content of the film they had come to see.

To import videos I clicked on organise ‘Get Media’ and then clicked on all the video clips I wanted.

I imported a black screen and placed it in the next video clip in the sequence between the door slam scenes. This highlight time passing by as the Mother approaches different houses and has still not found her son.

The black screen also emphasises the time of day – (night time.) This illustrates a sense of danger as the child has still not been found.

Here is another example where I imported a black image after a video clip. We used this to illustrate different scenes within our narrative.

Bethany and I were going to use the original (diegetic) sound of the footprints created whilst carrying out our filming process. However, we decided to import a footstep sound effect from Royalty Free Music enabling the sound to be louder so it could be heard over the mood music, which would add a more dramatic effect.

Here we dragged our audio to the soundtrack bar which is the green line at the bottom of the page.

Bethany and I used the running scenes in the park when the plot cuts between two narratives this being the Mothers recognition that her son had gone, and the son and father and son running away.

Originally these clips were one big clip. However, we managed to cut the scenes using the scene line button enabling the position to be accurate where we wanted to cut.

Overall, a variety of media technologies were used to enhance and improve my production which enabled

me to develop a wider understanding of skills.