2. When filming your opening sequence, we used the canon camcorder, tripod
and light reflector. The canon camcorder was really easy to use and
captured film of good quality which obviously essential when producing a
film of any sort. The tripod was also very useful it held the camcorder at a
still position and reduced the camcorder form shaking. The tripod was most
helpful when filming the shot of the clock. Within the room the clock was
mounted over the bed and was too high. Moreover, standing on the bed
produced alot of shaking without the tripod. Additionally, the tripod has
adjustable height, this is important as we wanted to capture alot of high
and low angled shots. Lastly, the light reflector came in handy as we could
manipulate the light into the face of our antagonist and most importantly
objects in which we wanted to show detail. The shot to the left below is
clear example at where the light reflector really came into use.

3. Another piece of technology we learnt about was garageband. This
software enables us to create our own music track with the use and
manipulation of loops provided by the program itself. This was really
useful in creating our soundtrack as it had categories such as:
Orchestra, Jazz, Drums etc to help us locate a particular sound.
Also the export of the mp3 was really quick and easy.

4. Finalcut is a program where you can edit and create video/films. We started
using finalcut even before filming for our sequence so we were familiar with
it. From using finalcut, i was able to log and transfer our clips form the
camcorder into finalcut express. From here we placed them on a timeline in
order and edited them. This program let us add effects and transitions such
as fade in fade out. Secondly, it enabled us to use a wireframe which lets use
shrink, increase and move the clip inside the frame and also allowed us to
position our credits in the right place.
This is a shot from my
finalcut project of our
thriller.

5. On the other hand, we used certain websites
to help us with our film making. We used
Google images to search for inspiring shots
which aids us with mise en scene, lighting,
camera angles etc. For example
this shot from the film se7en found in
Google images helped us design our setting.
We also used blogger
to create posts, share
ideas for our film and
answer evaluation
questions
We also made the use of
livetype which helped us
create our fonts and titles
used in our film.

6. I also used ixconverter to convert videos
especially from YouTube to mp4 so i can
use it in finalcut. This is how i retrieved the
momentum pictures logo.
This canon camera is what i used to take
practice shots and also the camera used to
take the behind the scenes photo’s. This
was really helpful as it gave me an
opportunity to practice before actually
filming.
Ultimately, i used paint numerous amount
of times for producing screen shots and
also used it to make the 12 frame picture
board shown in evaluation one.

7. Here is me trying to
figure out how to use
the camcorder.
The canon
camcorder
This camera has
good quality filming
and was easy to
manoeuvre.
Tripod
This where i placed the
camcorder, it kept it steady Extendable tripod legs
and safe which allowed us to which i adjusted in
take various shots with accordance to what
ease. type of camera angle i
wanted, e.g. High and
low.

8. When talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the camera equipment, it
had a mixture of both. One weakness of the actual camcorder is that to
defocus the picture you have to twist a knob several times. This was a problem
because as you twist it, it shakes the camcorder even when mounted on the
tripod. This was a shame as we wanted to defocus and focus on objects to add
effect but where unable to. On the other hand a strength of the camcorder
was that it has high resolution recording which produced stunning shots and
clips, also the buttons are easily located on the camcorder and connecting it
up to the computer was done at a push of one button.
The tripod was key in helping us take shots as it kept the camcorder still and
we where able to adjust the height of the tripod to get a higher angled shot
and vice versa, also had a handle which made it easier to pan and tilt.
One problem we came across when filming is when we see the antagonist
coming towards the radio and camera to turn it on. The tripod would not fit
because it was too big so we jus laid the camcorder freely behind the radio.
The problem was that the antagonists head was cut off when recording, to
resolve this we gathered a few books and put them under the front end of the
camcorder to tilt it upwards more so we could get his head within the frame.

9. The new equipment that we used to enhance our thriller was the light
reflector. We used this to redirect light onto certain things e.g. The
drugs and the antagonists face.
When using finalcut for editing, i learned how to edit clips in order to
develop emotions within the audience, e.g. a quick cross cut to show a
change and also to build up tension and suspense.
We i garageband to create apart of the soundtrack. I think this program
was really useful in creating a suspenseful soundtrack. This is because in
the program, there are categories in which different loops are found. For
example, in the orchestra category there were brass, string and
woodwind loops and within the fx section there were sounds of raindrops,
thunder, cars etc. This was really convenient as i knew what instruments
are typically used in creating suspense, so all i had to do was find the
right category. The challenge that i faced during this process was the
mixing of different loops to create a suspenseful track. There were lots
of relevant loops but most of them required another loop on top to fill
the texture, i found finding another loop that complements an existing
one very hard but i managed in the end.

10. Overall, i have learnt that the use of technologies used to construct our
product were the pillars of our film. Without these technologies such as
finalcut and garageband, ixconverter and blogger, we would have had
great difficulty producing and editing and creating a soundtrack for our
film. From the use of the canon camcorder i am now able to record clips,
from the use of livetype to create fonts that represent aspects and
develop emotions and lastly, the use of blogger into which our planning,
ideas and research was embedded to assist us to produce our film.