Question 4- Technology
- 1. 4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
- 2. The Internet.When considering the whole development of the documentary making process, it has included many different uses of colour, this was done by using the internet for research.The main search engine used was Google. We began by looking at differentways which colour is used within the industry in today's society, and howit can be used in different ways to help people. For example how colourfuladvertisements are used to promote products, and also how colour therapyworks. Using Google, it took us to numerous different websites to give us the maximum amount of research needed, showing how beneficial theinternet can be.We also then continued our research by watching videos on the broadcasting website, You Tube. This enabled us to see watch examples of previous documentaries to see the codes and conventions and see which things that were needed to be included in our own. In addition, we watched footage of people explaining how important colour is, for example by watching a short film on colour blind people and how they cope without seeing colour. You Tube was also used within the editing process, this was to retrieve archive material which would then be included in our documentary. After finding the suitable archive material, it then had to be converted into a media file that could be opened in Adobe Premier Pro. A converter was found by searching for one on Google. In addition to this, You Tube was also used when searching for the suitable music to be included in the documentary. It is clear that without access to the internet, it would have been impossible for the planning, research and creation of the whole project in itself. This is also supported by the use of blogs not being accessable without the internet, this being where all ideas and planning schedules are written down, being a majour art of the whole filming and editing process, this being as a group we knew what we were doing because of this.
- 3. Adobe Premier ProAdobe Premier Pro is the programme used on the computed to capture and edit the footage for creation of the documentary. The process begins by capturing all the footage from each of the tapes used during filming. To capture, the specific timing of the tape has to be set in, recorded, and then set out. This will cut the selected clip from the original tape, starting the sequence for the line to then be fine tweaked and edited. After doing this for the whole of the tape, the footage then begins to come together on the line and it can then begin to follow the story boards, fitting together the footage so it flows together. One of the tools I found the most beneficial was the razor tool, this being so that I could cut a clip as many times as I wanted to get the perfect timing.When considering the framing of interviews and the size of shots, this can also be changed on this programme. By changing the height and width of the shot, the person can then be zoomed further towards the screen, improving the overall framing of the interview.
- 4. The loudness of sound can also be edited with this programme. By going onto the audio line and moving the yellow line, this will effectively change the loudness of the audio. The audio sound can also be faded in or out at the beginning or the end, this is done by selecting the place you would like it to change and pressing the small circle on the left hand side of the audio line.
- 5. By having two lines for the video footage, when considering cut away shots, by placing the cut away shot on the line on top of the main video line, this will then over write the footage and fit into, showing the necessary footage.
- 6. Titles can also be made on this programme, this is done by creating the title on a blank screen, to then be placed over the shot by being put on to the video line above. Video CameraThis is the video camera that was used when filming for our documentary.Step By StepPlace the battery in the back of the camera, making sure it is in properly
- 7. Put the tape into the side of the camera, always check if the tape is in correctly, never force it in.
- 8. Turn the camera on by the switch on the top.
- 9. Make sure the battery is charged, if not plug into the mains
- 10. Take the cap off the front of the lens
- 11. Check that the camera isn't locked, as it will not record.Microphone & HeadphonesThis is the microphone that was used when recording people speaking within an interview or for vox pops. The microphone should be clipped to the persons collar, not being too close that the sound becomes muffled, however not too far away that it isn’t loud enough.The microphone should always be checked in the camera to see if it works. This is done by plugging the microphone into the right hand side of the camera, turning it on and checking if any sound is picked up by the sound level movement in the bottom right hand side of the screen.The headphones used are also plugged into the right hand side of the camera, this enables you to hear clearly what sound is being picked up whilst recording.
- 12. TripodThe setting up of a tripod consists of firstly removing it from the case, ensuring it had been folded properly.To begin with, all legs must be extended, this is done my unclipping each of the legs at the top, following by the clip underneath to further extend it, depending on how high the tripod needs to be.The clip on the top of the tripod is to then be taken off and attached to the camera. This should be tightened with something sharp to ensure it is as tight as possible. The camera can then be clipped onto the tripod, fitting it into the space for the clip. This should then be further tightened, this allowing the camera to move up and down on the tripod with out It being in danger of falling off or being unstable whilst filming.When taking down the tripod, the same process should be repeated, making sure that the handle is folded down properly when putting back in the case.
- 13. The Radio RoomThese images are showing the radio room that we used to create the necessary audio files.The radio room was used when recording the voiceover for the documentary and also for the radio advert.This process had to be repeated with problems with background noise as the microphone picks up every bit of noise. We made sure that the sound was of the best quality.
- 14. Memory StickMy own personal USB memory stick was used throughout the whole process and project.This was used to exchange music, images, archive material and graphs.In addition to this, when considering the development of my blog and evaluation, the USB memory stick was used to exchange the work, to then be uploaded up to blogger on a later date.
- 15. Digital CameraA digital camera was used when taking the photograph for the print advert. The camera used was a Nikon SLR. This is fairly simple to use, considering the basics of turning a camera on and making sure the lens is clean for a good image. A few images were taken to ensure the quality was of good quality as we found problems with the first camera used as the quality didn't have the outcome we had intended on.When considering the taking of the picture, you always ensure that the camera is fully charged and that the flash is on, this giving the image a better quality, giving the picture a brighter outcome. This is the final image of our print advert.
- 16. Mobile PhonesMobile phones were used on numerous occasions during this project. Examples would be when recording audience feedback answers, this being so that it was easier to remember what was said. In addition, many images were taken during the filming and editing process, these images to then be uploaded onto the blog, supporting the fact of being able to use equipment.Due to the mobile phone used for this being my own, as it was a blackberry, as shown to the right, I had the ability to enable the internet easily. This was a tool that was used to do further research and to get feedback from audiences on the videos from You Tube and Facebook.
- 17. Microsoft ExcelExcel was used to make graphs for audience research. These images are showing a step by step way to creating a bar chart to see results from the questionnaire.The process begins by typing the first question in with the results as shown in the first image. This all together should then be highlighted, then the type of graph should be chosen, this shown with the second image.Finally the third image is showing the final result of the graph. This is a simple way to look at results, making it clear on the audience feedback and the general reaction to the documentary.
- 18. Microsoft WordWord was used a lot during the planning process. Many word documents were created, this being that it is clear to understand and follow, therefore as a group we knew what we were doing. These documents include questionnaire and scripting.Spider diagrams were also created in the planning stages. This was done by inserting words into shapes with arrows, this is a clear way to set out a brainstorm ideas as it is simple and easy to understand the keywords.
- 19. Microsoft PowerPointMicrosoft PowerPoint was mainly used when creating a PowerPoint for the evaluation. This would then be uploaded onwww.slideshare.net which is using technology through the internet to upload the PowerPoint onto blogger.Images were included within each slide, this is to make the PowerPoint more visually appealing. Different shapes and symbols were also included to show the step by step creation of things during the project.
- 20. Adobe PhotoshopAdobe Photoshop was used to edit the original image of the print advert. As we wanted the image to be basic, we did not have to change that much. We covered our model in coloured paint, this being relevant to the theme and topic. The brightness of the colour of the paint was edited on Photoshop, in addition the outline of the model was cut out and placed on a new white background, this being that we didn't want anything else in the image.