1. Evaluation 4: How did you use new
media technology in the construction
an research, planning and evaluation
stages?
2. Introduction
During the construction, planning, research and evaluation process for our music video we
evidently used a variety of necessary media technologies in order to successfully complete our
project task. These media conventions used proved to have been a significant attribute in order of
me and my group to produce the best work possible for our A2 coursework.
3. Websites: Google
We used Google in particular in our planning stage in terms of the location we wanted to be filming
at. Before going to the different locations we wanted to film at, at some point we used the search
engine Google on way or the other. For an example, we frequently used the site in order to find out
the weather forecasts predicted for the day and during the course of the week . This site was very
useful because of this as we could we able to use it to prepare ourselves on the dates we wanted
to go filming. This was effective because then we were able to avoid the rain as much as possible.
We also used Google Map to look at specific areas we wanted to film at in order to have a closer
view on how it will look like when filming there, the rough amount of tourists there, the background
and the exact locations of icon figures so that we knew exactly where to go when setting out to film
instead having to ask people. Doing this was highly beneficial because it meant that we were able
to film in London efficiently and safely.
5. Websites: Facebook
During the research stage of our project before we actually started planning for the music video we
used curtain websites in order to prepare, equip and be legalised to be able to use other artists music.
We used the social networking site Facebook as a communication source in order to try and contact
the band whether they will be okay with us using there music for our coursework. We tried messaging
the band on their Facebook page with a formal message asking if we could use their music.
Unfortunately the band did not reply back with a confirmation message for our proposal.
6. Websites: Facebook
Fortunately, on the bands Facebook page another user a few months back posted a message on the
bands Facebook page wall asking if he could use there music. The band replied to the users message
saying that the band no longer exists therefore anyone is welcome to use there music. This social
networking site proved to have been very useful as if we didn't have Facebook then we would not
have found the short conversation a user has had with the band and therefore we would not have any
legal preservations enabling us to use the bands music. In addition to this, it could have proved to have
been hard to find such authorisation since the band have split up therefore finding another source of
commination could have been very time consuming.
8. Websites: Unsigned Artists
Another important website we used during our research stage was www.unsigned.co.uk. We
were recommend to use this site in order to find songs that we could use for our project. This
website was highly suitable for the task I hand as trying to gain permission from a signed artist
such as Chris Brown or Rhianna would prove to be highly unlikely because such artists would be
extremely busy and receiving confirmation from such artists could have taken time. Using this site
made it more likely for us to find music that we could be allowed to use as unsigned artists would
want others to use there music as an advertising tool in order to get there music out there. The
site was very helpful because it gave us a variety of artist's songs from a range of genre's, this
opened out options in terms of what music we should use which was what we needed. From this
website we found our coursework track which was by a Ska band called Behind Bad Luck. This
site enabled us to produce a fantastic music video which is why it is so significant in our research
stage.
10. Websites: eBay
In terms of aspects to do with costuming during the construction/planning we used the online retail
site eBay to buy our cool Ska ties for our construction phrase. eBay proved to have been a very
useful site because we were able to get our ties for a bargain price as they only ended us costing us
£2.62 with free next day delivery, whereas if we went to the retail stores such as Topman or River
Island we would have ended us spending up to £10. Because of this the website proved to have
been very useful because we were able to save money and receive our Ska ties the following day
after delivery which made us more organised as it meant that we were making progress in terms of
preparation for filming.
12. Websites: Blogger
Furthermore, we've all individually been using the website Blogger as a mini dairy to record everything
we do relating to our coursework which has also helped a lot in the evaluation stage. Blogger tells a
story of the users progress via posts which can be arranged in a number of ways depending on how
the user wants the blog to look like. This has prove to be a very good site because I am able to show
all of my hard-work, ideas and constructions by updating regular posts describing what I have been
doing in terms of research, planning and constriction phases for my music video. The site allows us to
label every post relating to a particular concept of what the post is about, I have separated my blog
in three sections; Research, construction and planning. This is effective because it makes it easier for
viewers to access specific aspects in my blog rather than having to continuously scroll looking for
posts. Users are also able to post a variety of media formats on there Blogger site such as videos,
pictures or embed other programs on blog posts, for an example a Slide share PowerPoint or Prezzi
page. This can be used effectively in making posts more engaging to read and display necessary
information without using basic formats such a black and white typing.
14. Devices: iPhones
A digital device which has proved to have helped us a lot in terms of communication within our group
and uploading footage onto our blogs is our iPhones. Coincidentally each member in my group has an
iPhone which has been a good thing because it has helped us communicate outside of out media
lessons. One of the iPhone's well known feature is iMessage. Via the use of iMessage I am able to
message all the members in my group in a group chat or individually because they also have iMessage.
This technology proved to have been very useful because it enables us to message and also send
pictures to each other back and forth for free regardless whether users are on a pay as you go or mobile
phone contract plan as long a mobile phone service reception is available. This proved to be beneficial
for the group because we have a member who is not on a mobile phone contract like the rest of us
which means that he has to regular top up his phone in order to have access to Internet related
preservation's. Because of this iPhone feature iMessage we are all able to message Aaron without the fair
of him being unable to contact us.
15. Devices: iPhones
In addition to this, because we are able to send each other pictures I am able to ask for pictures from
other members in my group who have taken some when we are out filming. Users of an iPhone are also
able to download thousands of different apps for different purposes from entertainments, educational
relating, music and many more. There is a Blogger apps which users can download for free which is
what I have, this means that I can upload pictures relating to curtain posts straight onto my blog page
on my phone and also upload written posts when am out with no access to a computer. This is very
effective because it means that I can update my blog wherever and whenever I want to.
17. Devices: Digital Camera
Another digital device which has helped which has prove to have been the most necessary equipment
is our digital camera which we used regularly during the construction stage. The school provided us with
a Sony HD camera along with a tripod. The camera was excellent, with it being an HD camera it made
all our footage's look really clear and professional. When synchronising footage's onto the computer we
also did not loose any pixel quality which was a massive relief as after the editing phase the full video
looked very neat and realistic which was what we need if we wanted to receive high marks for the
video.
18. Devices: Digital Camera
The focus zoom technology on the camera was great because it meant that we could record extreme
close ups and still maintain a high standard of the person in the shot's face. We used this to our
advantage and filmed a lot of close ups with different use of lighting involved to vary the shots
depending on how we wanted them to look like. This was effective because we were able to hit the
assignment objective of using a variety of shots in the music video, i.e. Close ups. The tripod contributed
in making all of our records look so professional as we made sure that we used I as much as possible so
that all of our footage's look still and focused. This was an effective piece of equipment's to have during
our filming stage because it meant that we didn't have to worry about our footage's ending up being
unsteady and all over the place when uploaded on the computer so it helped reassure use that we
would get whatever we were filming on the camera without any unwanted movements on the camera.
We were also able to play our recordings back and forth via the mini side screen after a recording
session. This was good because we were then able to always reflect on what we have accomplished in
terms of footages so that we can tick off footages on our storyboard.
19. Device: Digital Camera
Furthermore, the camera was also very light and portable which was good for us because it meant
that we could take it wherever we wanted and because it was light it increased the security
preservation for the camera because it meant that there was a smaller chance of us dropping
because it easy to handle whereas if it was a heavy camera it would have required more strength to
carry it around which most likely would have resulted into one of us dropping it at some point whilst
filming. Not at one point did we drop the camera due to its lightweight and the use of tripod which was
good because then we avoided getting into and bother with our media teachers. The camera also
proved to have been very good on battery as on several occasions we would go out filming for up to
4hours or more and the battery would never die. This was effectively beneficial for us because it
enabled us to get all the filming we need done in each session without having the need to constantly
charge it. This also helped us keep to time schedules as having to find a charging port would have
been an headache especially because we were out in London the majority of the time far away from
home.
21. Devices: Digital Camera Bag
The camera also came with a mini bag where was can the camera and cable when were not
using it. This is an effective equipment because it helps enhance the security of the camera and
prevent it from getting wet which proved to have been a good thing as some of the periods we
were out filming it rained. The bad was also small with a shoulder strap on it, this made it portable
and meant that we could carry the camera around more efficient and safely whenever me and
my group were out filming. The bad consisted with a variety of different necessary compartments
were we were able to put other accessories relating to the camera such as speakers and cables.
