The student used various media technologies at different stages of their coursework project. In the research and planning stage, they used the internet to research artists and analyze websites, exploring representations and audience interactions. They also found ideas for CD cover designs online. For filming, they used a DSLR camera and tablet to capture footage with different effects. In post-production, Adobe Premiere Pro was used to edit footage and add effects. Adobe Photoshop designed the CD packaging. A Wix website was created to share information about the artist. Evaluation utilized Word, Picktochart, Evernote, PowerPoint and Slideshare to compile and present reflections on the project.

1. Question 4
How did you use media technologies in the construction and research,
planning and evaluation stages?

2. Research and planning – use of
technologies
 When I was conducting the research and planning stages of the coursework, I used the internet to
find out information to back my ideas and to analyse websites of artists for ideas. The use of the
internet also allowed me to explore different genre presentations and also how a artist or singer
is perceived by everyday people with the use of Web 2.0 which allows users to interact and
comment on a website. These can be represented differently, which Stuart Hall’s representation
theory shows. People who prefer an artist will agree with the meaning of a song or the attitude of
the singer, some may disagree with their view and so will take a oppositional point and there are
those who take a negotiated view of that meaning. The websites which I analyses when doing my
research relied on social media for these views and also as a way to reach out to their audience.
 This helped me when it came to the post production development of the website as I was able to
incorporate the ideas from the website, such as the use of links to social media and also links to
digital copies of the songs which many websites display.
 The internet also gave me access to a wide range of different of CD covers so I could get some
ideas for my front and back covers which did fit into the convention of the Genre of Pop. This was
also useful for the insert booklet.

3.  To present my research and planning, I used a wide variety of different software's
which enables me to create media content to show my findings. These included
Microsoft word and PowerPoint (with the use of the website slideshare to upload for
the embed code), Video to record my interview with a producer and a camera to take
photographs of my storyboard. My work was then uploaded on to Blogger so I could
clearly present my research and planning.
This is a piece of work which was conducted for
my research into a making of a “star” through
music videos. There was some analysis on a
theorist who came up with the concept. This was
done using the internet to gather evidence and
with a class discussion. I then presented this
using publisher and comparing this theory to
some well known celebrities.
This shows how the information gathered helped
me compile my research via the internet. The
research of other stars also enabled me to gain
ideas on how to structure my character.

4. Filming
 To film my music video, I did use a DSLR camera for specific shots, but I also used a tablet. The
reason I did this as a camera on a computer tablet gives a grainy and old effect as the resolution is
different to the HD camera. The reason why I came to this conclusion was because I wanted to
give an effect of old footage which I feel is key to my creation. This did not causes any problems
because like a camera I was able to keep the tablet sturdy. This enabled me to move freely while
filming without carrying heavy equipment.
 The DSLR camera is capable of shooting in HD which was useful for some shots. This gives a clearer
picture which I felt enhanced the overall quality of my video. However, these pieces of footage do
take away the feeling of a 1980s music video, but I also feel that this change in quality may
attract more of an audience to the video.
 The tablet that I used was very practical for me to get around the small and remote places place
such as the forest instead of a bulky camera with its own stand. Also my Tablet gave a better
quality shot when shooting outside in a bright environment.
 The only problem with filming on a tablet is the limited amount of shot angles due to the limited
capacity of the stand. This is why I used the DSLR and a tripod so I could get a wider range of shot
angles. This was key in the school room scene in which the performer becomes angry and chucks
away all of the work on the desk. I re-shot this part several times from 6 different angles and
incorporated them when it came to the editing process. I did this to show the amount of stress the
performer is coping with because he is “out of time” with his life. The quick transitions show this
and because of the DSLR camera, I was able to use a close up to show this.

5. This is the footage I took from my tablet in the
forest. This, as explained was shot in a small and
remote locations with limited flat surfaces for me
to shoot. I decided to use this high angle simply
to show the status of the artist, however if I shot
this part with the DSLR camera, this would have
enabled me to film more angles to enhance that
shot of the artist singing the lyrics.
However with this, I was able to create this part
as a way to show the artist escaping from life and
the problems in which he encounters. This shot
also complies to Goodwin's conventions of a music
video to show a close relationship between the
performer and the audience. The Star theory by
Richard Dyer also complies to this, which was the
effect I wanted within the video.

6. Post Production
 To edit and to bring together my music video, I used Adobe premiere pro as the software
enabled me to piece together my footage and to also add effects to smarten up the
video. I had used this programme before for previous projects and since my AS work, my
skills and knowledge of Premiere Pro has increased due to practice. The tools which are
available gave me the ability to change and shape my footage to present a meaning to
my audience.
 It was good that this software enabled a failsafe and auto save so my work so that it was
not lost after the editing process. It also allowed me build my footage in any order which
was helpful to construct the meaning which I intended to give.

7.  I also used Adobe Photoshop to create my front, back and inserts to my CD digipack. This was
similar to Adobe Premiere Pro with the amount of tools such as colour corrections and draw
tools to edit my pieces of work. This was my first time using the software. I had learnt a lot
from this experience with that programme and I feel more confident when it comes to
changing and enhancing photographs.
The Website I created was built on a site called Wix. This allowed
for me to customise the website to suit the genre of my video. I
used bright colours and my own images to allow the audience to
feel closer and personal with the artist. This complies to the “Star
Theory” by Dyer as mentioned before. I feel as if this website
builder has helped me developed more skill that this would be
handy in the future. Using previous research I created my website
to contain videos, information about the artist and other parts such
as contact information.

8. Evaluation
 For my evaluation I used the following sources to compile and present my
points for the question:
 Microsoft Word – For Question 1 – Posted on Blogger
 Picktochart – For question 2 –posted on Blogger (JPEG)
http://piktochart.com/
 Video and Evernote – For question 3 –Posted on Blogger
https://www.evernote.com
 Microsoft powerpoint and slideshare – For question 4 – Posted on Blogger
http://www.slideshare.net/
 All of these were key for my Evaluation. Many I have used before, but I have
improved my skills to show a greater intergration of Technology.