1. Evaluation Q4 -
How did you use media technologies in
the construction and research, planning
and evaluation stages?
Kamran Ali
2. Research and Planning
During my research and planning I used a variety of different
technologies to conduct it. I used many different websites on
Safari and Internet Explorer such as Wikipedia, Google, ChildLine
and more for use during our documentary. We used these websites
to conduct the initial research into the topic itself and then into
other information such as the channel we would air it on, the radio
station and magazine we would use. We looked at their websites
and used other sources on the internet to find out their
viewership, average audience and the types of shows that they air.
When deciding upon the initial topic of the documentary we
created a mind map to effectively show our different ideas. We
used storyboards to plan out the first shots of the documentary
and the entire opening sequence.
We then uploaded all of this research to the group blog on Blogger
so that we had a record of all the research we had conducted, and
we could all access it from at home or college. Blogger allowed us
to combine all of data together and be able to view it anytime.
3. Filming
To film our documentary we used various types of equipment. We used a
Canon HD Camera to capture all of our footage and take any stills we
needed. This camera was very useful as it allowed us to do various camera
features such as zoom, change brightness and modify the focus. These
features let us change the way the video was recorded to suit our needs so
that we could get the correct footage.
To take professional shots we used a Tripod so that the camera would be still
and straight, we were then able to do many more shots such as pans as we
did not have to worry about the camera shaking. Using the tripod during our
expert interviews made it look much more professional and increased the
quality of the footage.
To record audio at a professional standard we used a directional microphone.
This microphone was designed so that it would only pick up the audio of the
whatever it was pointed at. This allowed us to eliminate majority of the
background noise when filming and help make the audio much clearer and of
a higher quality.
To check the sound levels we used over ear headphones in conjunction with
the microphone. This allowed us to monitor the sound levels and make sure
we were recording the right thing and not picking up any other sounds.
4. Editing
The software we used to edit the footage was Final Cut Express. We developed many
skills while using this software such as cutting, syncing, transitions, special effects,
logging an transferring.
Before we could start editing
we had to log and transfer all
of our raw footage into final
cut express.
The footage would then
appear in this box and we
would then select which
videos we wanted to keep and
We then had the option to import in.
rename each clip and create
comments.
5. Editing
Clips were then added to the
main windows where we could
add them to the timeline and
edit them.
Once they had been added in we could preview
them in the players and then move them onto
the timeline for editing.
6. Editing
Once the clips were on the timeline we could edit them and add
different effects.
Audio that
has been
added in
Cut separately
The audio has been edited to be louder
Titles were added above the clips so and then lower in volume
they would appear over the images
7. Editing
We used fades to transition between
clips, by reducing the opacity at the
end of one clip and then increasing at
the beginning of another.
8. Editing
This allowed us to select We used these tools to perform
items and move them various cuts and effects.
around without cutting
them.
This tool allowed us to cut clips and
audio at any point we liked either
separately or together.
This tool let us zoom in on the time
line so we could perform more
precise cuts and edits.
This is used select different points on
the timeline and then modify them
e.g. create a fade on clips or audio
9. Editing
During editing we could view clips or the entire
video in the separate window to see what the
video looked like so far e.g. to pick up any errors
or mistakes.
10. Magazine
For the editing of the double page spread I used Adobe InDesign. This allowed me to
many different things to the magazine so that I could make it look more professional.
11. Magazine
The masthead stretched across all three columns
so it would catch the attention of the reader.
Because of the columns we can see this.
The article also placed into columns neatly with
the same amount of spacing between them.
InDesign has a feature which enables you to move
all the text from one textbox and then move the
part that doesn’t fit on screen into another text
box.
The page was split up into 3 separate columns so
that we could adhere to the rule of thirds, we
then formatted our article and design around this.
12. Magazine
Each image was placed into a separate
column to help separate them and prevent
overlap.
We added in a drop shadow so that the
images would stand out and not simply
cover each other
13. Radio Trailer
To create the radio trailer we used a program called Garageband. With garage band we
were able to use pre loaded music to create our own music without the risk of copyright
infringement. We could then place each different instrument onto the timeline and modify
it so that it sounded the way we wanted it to.
We could change whether it was muted at one point, playing separately or together and
then blend the sounds together.
The different songs
that we could choose
from appeared in
categories
Each different
instrument
used appears We could then choose
on this line specific songs to add
along with to the timeline and
any audio that use in our own
appears personal song
