Bethany Fox used the Apple Mac computers provided by her school for research, planning, construction, and evaluation of her media project. She found the Macs and software to be very useful, though occasionally faced technical issues. For her film construction, she used a JVC camcorder and tripod, which she learned to use efficiently. While she wished to include more media technology in her presentations, time constraints prevented this. Overall, she was pleased with her first film production and felt it helped develop her skills, though found some parts very challenging alongside her other A-levels.

1. EVALUATION
Bethany Fox 6128

2. Q4; How did you use media technologies in the
construction, research, planning and evaluation
stages.
Throughout my research, planning, construction and evaluation stages, I used
the Apple Mac Computers provided by school in our media suite. Advantages
to this is that they are always available for use and you can use your free time
and spend it up there. Its also really nice to have a very friendly set of media
technicians and teachers around for theoretical and technological enquiries.
Without the Apple Macs I think we would find the technological construction of
and media publications incredibly difficult with the equipment in standard
computer rooms. Apple Macs are also provided with all publication software
programs and therefore we are enabled to do really anything we put our mind
to which is always a really nice thing to keep in the back of your mind. The
only disadvantage to using the Apple Macs is that they have restrictions to
some of the creative suites we may wish to use online as the systems are part
of the schools settings and therefore time has to be taken into looking at if
arrangements can be made to alter that. After using the Apple Macs for almost
4 years now its become like second nature to the glitches, good spots and bad
spots and therefore I'm quite accustomed to the software and hardware
available and in use. I don’t find general use of the Apple Macs challenging but
when there is an issue that hasn’t yet been resolved that creates an obstacle
for my work I try to tackle it head on with patience to ensure its resolved for the
better and quickly.

3. Q4;
Throughout my construction I had to use a JVC Camcorder and
tripod. Considering it was my first time working in film making I
think I did a pretty good job getting to know my equipment fast
and efficiently. Its an easy, user friend piece of equipment and
very light which help when transporting it up through the
Derbyshire moors to my location of which I choose to do my
filming. Apply my footage was also an easy step too, although
whilst trying to import my clips to Imovie we suffered a glitch and
technical help was needed. Throughout my making of the music
video in Imovie I suffered a series of challenges of which the
speed of the clips playing in Imovie on the Apple Macs were in
fact too fast and the computers could not keep up. To fix this it
took a while but in the end we exported and then imported the
entire finished clip so far into final cut. I had never used final cut
before but found it surprisingly easy and quick.

4. Q4;
Throughout my research, planning and evaluation I
would like to have used more media technology
within the way I presented my work, unfortunately
my time management let me down and I was not
able to create such things like video recordings of
feedback. Or to create a recreation of my music
video with my storyboard instead of visuals. I would
also have like to try new programs such as Indesign
to help me learn new things and develop skills I
have already required. Unfortunate for myself I
needed to take the fast and efficient way of using
easy programs I was familiar with in which to
present my work in a professional way without
missing any important bits of information.

5. Q4;
However, in comparison with my AS work I feel that as I
had never worked within the filming area of media
before I did a great job. I didn’t find it easy all the time
and parts were very stressful and challenging alongside
my other A levels. Although I did very much enjoy the
project and was incredibly pleased with the outcome I
created. I feel that without the technologies that we have
around us in school it would have been very difficult to
produce such a product and I think we take that for
granted as without that I would not be able to proceed in
the career direction I wish to follow. Achievements are
incredibly high with the software that is around and I feel
I lived up to expectations with the product I finally came
too.

6. Conclusion;1
Research and planning to me is a chore, I don’t enjoy it but I
understand just how important it is overall. I feel I have a
sufficient amount of both research and planning within my
project. However, I would have felt more secure with a more
substantial amount of industry research about the processes in
which my products would take in the real world, for example;
1. Research
2. Planning
3. Construction
4. Evaluation
5. Marketing
6. Distribution
7. Profit

7. Conclusion;2
As an overall conclusion I feel happy for my
products to have been under examination, as to
me they are to the best of my abilities. For my
first production in filming I am very happy with
the outcome and very welcoming of feedback, of
both a good nature and of a constructive
criticism nature. I found both ancillary tasks very
easy for production although feel with my
research into the digipak; may have struggled
slightly for ideas to apply. I really enjoyed the
production process, especially the editing and
watching everything come together as one
piece.

8. Conclusion;3
For me the project was like no other, it took me far
away from my comfort zone and pushed my skills
and abilities to the edge. As a student studying other
subjects as well I struggled a sufficient amount with
stress and pressure; but I taught my self a new skill
and worked through it. Personally, it’s a task of
perseverance and patience and that’s something I
am fortunate enough to have. It’s a character
building journey to take and I’d push anyone
thinking about media to take it. I thoroughly enjoyed
my time within the project and media as an A Level
too and can only hope that its true what they say