The blogger taught the student that embedding videos and photos is useful, but it requires getting used to. When filming, the student learned how to use a Canon camera and external microphone, as well as how to properly focus manually. The student also learned to always check that the external microphone is turned on. When editing with Premiere Pro, the student learned to save work frequently and use the timeline and keyboard shortcuts. GarageBand proved difficult to use for music but practicing beforehand could help. The student discovered new media types and learned lessons about planning, lighting techniques, and avoiding quality loss when exporting between programs.

1. Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?

2. BLOGGER
 When I first started of using blogger I had no idea what
I was doing and I hated it…but when we started using it
more, it turned out to be more useful than I expected.
Being able to embed videos as well as uploading
pictures is a real benefit.
 However it does take some getting use to, so if I were
to do this project again, I would probably learn how to
use it properly before I actually have to put work on
there!

3. FILMING
 For the filming we used my Canon 600D and Rode external
microphone – this was helpful as I already knew how to use it and I
could teach the rest of the group how to use it. We also borrowed a
tripod from school, which was very useful and easy to use.
 When we were using the camera, we only used the manual focus not
the auto focus as we found that if something/one moves into the
wrong space in the shot we can quickly change it and we could use a
pull focus, without having to adjust anything.
 One problem with using an external microphone is that, if you forget
to turn it on you don’t get any sound at all!
 So, my advice that I would pass on is – ALWAYS check to see if the
microphone is on!

4. FILMING CONT.
 We also used the big lights and although I had used them
previously at GCSE I still wasn’t quite sure of how exactly to use
them. With a bit of trial and error we manage to get some decent
lighting.
 If I were to do this again, I would ask the teachers on how to use
the properly and for them to show me. Also, to make sure we got
a lift home every time we used them, because they are really
heavy!

5. EDITING
 We used Premiere Pro to edit our sequence, I had had previous use
of this, as I had used it for the yr11 leavers video, even when I first
started using it, it was very user friendly and a lot nicer than final cut.
 All I would say is that you need to save your work every time you do
something on there, as there were several occasions where we didn’t
save it and it crashed. Whether that was Premiere Pro or the
computer we don’t know, but nevertheless, always save your work!
 One of the key things that I love about Premiere Pro is that you can
zoom in on the timeline and cut exactly where you want to without too
much hassle. Also, it’s really easy to put the stuff you need into the
timeline, with the use of the ‘I’ and ‘O’ keys.

6. GARAGE BAND
 After using garage band at GCSE, I had a basic
understanding of how it worked. However, actually making
the music, proved to be difficult.
 We all had a go at it and eventually, we got a good
soundtrack.
 The advice I would give to someone is that, you should start
having a go at it before you actually need to use it. Then
when you come to need it you already have an idea of what
its going to sound like – this worked well for us.
 In hindsight, we should have used the same computer every
time we used this as some of the computers didn’t have
some of the loops that the others had, which made
everything a bit awkward to use.

7. OTHER TYPES OF MEDIA
 When doing the evaluation, I discovered a lot of new
media, including; powtoon, prezzi, slideshare,
slideblend and more. These are not only fun to make
but to look at as well. They provide a nice change to
the normal powerpoint that I am on now!

8. ADVICE
• Try not to film at night, we had real problems with lighting.
• Make sure you do the same shot a few times so there is less of a
possibility of you having to do pick up shots.
• Leave enough time to do pick up shots
• Have a variety of different shots for each scene so the audience
doesn’t get bored.
• If you give a job to every person in the group, everything will get
done a lot quicker.
• Ask your teachers if you have any doubts about filming something
– it’s easier for them to help you before you’ve done it, than them
trying to fix it after you’ve filmed.

9. THINGS THAT I LEARNT
 You always need to plan for pick up shots.
 How to get more out of the lights.
 Filming in the same place, that is meant to be 2 or 3
different settings, is challenging.
 You can use blue film on the lights to create a darker
effect.

10. DISADVANTAGES
 Equipment can go wrong.
 You can’t really use the lights outside, as it is quite
dangerous.
 Exporting the project into too many different programs
to get the music, titles e.t.c can really lower the quality
of the film.