1. EVALUATION QUESTION 4
How did you use media technologies in the construction and research,
planning and evaluation stages?
2. Research and planning
I made use of Google search. Google search allowed for a quick search for
any aspects of the print task research. Being able to chose between images,
video and web on the same search helped when researching trailers and
posters. There is a large range of search results. I was able to locate trailers,
posters and magazine covers that all related to each other with the use of
google.
When researching trailers, I first used IMDb yet Youtube proved to be a more
reliable source of longer and more variety of trailers and clips. As there are
300 hours of video uploaded to Youtube every minute there is an abundance
of film trailers to watch and take influence from during planning. It also gives
the option to embed the Youtube video into blogs. Embedding videos was
helpful if I needed to show a clip I wanted to analyse so that people viewing
my blog can understand my analysis.
Embedding videos was helpful if I needed to show a clip I wanted to analyse
so that people viewing my blog can understand my analysis.
3. Production
I used a Samsung galaxy camera to take the pictures of my print tasks
and to film the trailer. The Samsung galaxy camera is able to connect to
Wi-Fi. Usually when transferring footage from a camera to desktop I
would use an SD card. However, this camera had a micro SD and so an
adapter is needed. As it can connect to wifi footage can be uploaded via
email, facebook or other social media. Although handy that footage can
be transferred via one device, as I am filming a trailer there are long
pieces of video that need to be transferred and so take a long time to
upload.
Also, the camera’s auto/manual focus was a great tool to use when
conducting production. The ability to toggle between auto and manual
focus helped me have a clear focal point in my picture as well as a diverse
range of photos that I could chose from. The auto focus was successful as
the camera correctly identified the focal point of my mage and slightly
blurred the background which helped separate them when I was editing
the background.
4. Production
I expanded my knowledge of Photoshop during A2. Using
Photoshop for AS I was able to use more advanced tools such as
Gaussian Blur to create depth of field effect whereby the subject
in the picture stays clear yet the background is blurred. This
helped achieve a higher quality and complex photo compared to
AS the background differs from the subject. I wanted to create a
dramatic effect where my subject looked bruised and scarred as
it is the thriller/horror genre. To achieve this I used the burn tool
to create bruising and I used liquify to map out where I wanted
to lace the scar, then brush layers and blending over it. I tried
several practice pictures in order to make this effect look
successful and authentic.
My skills on the software Photoshop improved greatly as during
A2 I could expand on my basic knowledge and learn how to use
light/dark blending to make effects look more appropriate. I also
followed conventions of specific magazine brands more intently
as I wanted to focus on maintaining a brand.
5. Evaluation
Survey monkey allowed for people who fell into the target market (and were therefore sent the
link to my survey) to vote on their favourite features of the trailer which helped me understand
how to evaluate my work. They could choose which aspects most fitted into the genre
conventions and which did not through both qualitive and quantative data. I was able to view
that the most liked aspects of the magazine and film poster and if they were recognized as a
horror genre. However, in class we conducted peer assessments where my classmates gave
quantitative data on their opinions of the overall magazine; font, masthead, colour scheme and
main image. Although I only had a feedback number of around 10 people, which is usually not
enough to make a universal judgment on, everyone was within the target market and so it was
successful in giving me an insight into stats.
