Evaluation: Question 4
- 2. Throughout the research and planning process, I have encountered many different media technologies that have allowed me to make my work and products look professional as well as gaining information for research. By using computers or MACs, I have been able to access the internet which has been largely the basis of my work in this stage. The internet has allowed me to do research into institutions and logistics (as seen in previous presentations) which has helped me form ideas about my work. Also, I have been able to look at secondary research such as example of film posters, when it comes to thinking about conventional methods of application. The internet has then led me to use Wordpress which has allowed me to not only post my work, but to also be able to look back on work (to keep up to date with the production schedule for example) . The production logs also help to keep up to dater and advance my ideas further.
- 3. The individual target shown throughout the entire process on the blogs has also helped improve my work through looking at ‘wider reading’ more such as theories and books; rather than solely the internet. I have been able to use a digital camera for the location scouting stage which has not only shown where the trailer will be taking place but also allows me to gather ideas from this throughout the script and storyboard. Traditional programmes such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel have also been widely used to show my work such as the budget in which I used Excel. This software enabled the budget to add the total by itself through the use of formulas for example. All of the media technologies I have used have helped me gain access to the ideas that now exist through my final products. By using a variety of different methods such as the above, I have not only shown my work ion a productive and professional manner, but I have also been able to learn new programmes which can be used in the future.
- 4. The construction stages of this process have introduced more technologies that I have not had the chance to use before. The internet is still largely used, as well as the blog so I can update the new findings and products. The use of mobile phones has been effective as I can keep in contact with the actors within the trailer (location, what time and date, in case of emergency etc.) as well as calling and texting the location owner for approval and consent to use the location for that certain set period of time. Photoshop has been a huge part of the construction when creating the ancillary tasks. I have used this programme for not only the final poster and magazine cover, but also for the designs leading up to them such as the mock up designs and skeleton layouts. Using this programme has helped me to make these creations look effective and professional. As I have used Photoshop previously (such as AS work) I was able to use this knowledge and advance it further. For the main product, the trailer was shot using a video camera and boom microphone as I had audio within it. Some of the shooting was quite challenging as I had to apply knowledge such as camera angles and different techniques such as panning and tilting which I have not applied previously (with regard to filming on a video camera). However, I feel I have used a variety of shots, angles and effects to make my trailer look professional.
- 5. The use of the boom mic has also increased the professionalism compared to the inbuilt microphone on the camera which would sound amateur. The placement of the boom mic and the person who hols it was also quite challenging and in some ways restricting. The location (inside) was quite small so it was difficult to hide the person holding the boom mic. Throughout the edit decision list, I did not include some shots due to this. Final Cut Pro was the main programme I used for the construction and editing of the trailer. I found it quite difficult at first as I had not had much practise with using certain tools and transitions. However, through using online tutorials that other people have put on sites such as YouTube and Wordpress, I was able to expand my knowledge and learn new tools that have helped me such as the title safe which allowed me to place my text correctly and different audio/video transitions. I also encountered Soundtrack Pro which I have never used before. With the guidance of my tutor, I was able to download and use many different sound effects and background music that has allowed the trailer to create suspense and tension within the audience. I was able to match these effects with certain actions in the trailer which assisted the overall effect and look . I can now use all of the above when doing another similar project.
- 6. The technology used for the evaluation process was computer/MAC based. I wanted to use a range of different programmes so that I could show my ideas in an easier, more professional format. I did not want it to be in essay form or all on one blog post as it would be dull to read. Firstly, I used a programme name ‘Prezi’ which I used through an internet website. As I had never used one before, I found it slightly difficult to use. However, after watching a short tutorial, it was much easier to input the information whilst having a creative and fun edge to the presentation. I felt using Wordpress for the second question was best as I could lay it out in an easy, simple manner so I could explain my ideas fully. I also included different images that mirrored my points.
- 7. Within the AS evaluation, I used a voice recording which I felt was effective, so I decided to use this to explain the findings for question 3. As this answer was showing the audience feedback, I thought it was easier to explain it rather than in full sentences. I still wanted to include pictures of my findings and the questionnaire I used so I have written up the script I used to answer the question underneath and have inserted the images also. Lastly, PowerPoint was another easy method to use and I could separate categories on different slides such as ‘Research and Planning’, ‘Construction’ and ‘Evaluation’. Overall, the varieties of programmes has expanded my knowledge that I could possibly use in the future. It has also created a basis for my work to be shown and is the sole reason I was able to create all of these products.