TASK - 11/12 - Evaluation Question 4- How did you use media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages?

1. Question 4 –
How did you use media technologies in the
construction, research, planning and
evaluation stages?

2. Research and Planning

3. Youtube
 YouTube: YouTube was a platform I used consistently throughout. These were used to
upload both my Music videos, pitch feedback and rough-cuts. Having a social
networking site to distribute to the audience is a convenient and effective way to build
on the audience. YouTube has allowed me to look at music videos that my artist has
created via; sponsored by Vevo. As a big YouTube fan, I found it an effective way to
gain feedback from the target audience. In addition this, the platform allowed criticism,
compliments and general feedback on our music video. Last year, In AS media studies,
I used YouTube for pitch feedback; however this year I feel as if I have become more
comfortable using it. Being able to use the advanced settings and tags in YouTube, has
also become a skill I have become more knowledgeable with, as it allowed me to direct
and find my target audience. Lastly, I was able to search my music videos through the
YouTube search engine and find related artists and songs. This also allowed me to
watch the official music video and also hear the audio in high quality.

4. Blogger
 Blogger: Blogger is a website connected to Google, and is an online blog. Blogger is
used to post content, information, notes, videos and embedded links. In AS media,
Blogger was used as our coursework format for posting all our work, and is also the
coursework for A2. This feature has enabled me to embed links from other
technologies and software’s, by copying a link and inserting this component as a
“HTML”. Furthermore, when previewed, this would be displayed on the blog which
would appear easily accessible for all viewers. This also helps improve the interaction
between any technology posted and the viewer. From AS media to A2, I have become
more accustomed to using blogger to an intermediate level, allowing me to improve
on my organisational skills by changing the dates and time to structure my blog in
chronological order. In addition to this, Blogger is also used to interact with other
students who have blogs by commenting on their posts which allows the flow of
constructive feedback and compliments between our blogs to help improve posts.

5. Moodle
 Moodle: Moodle is a website that is only accessed by students and teachers.
Moodle lists the current subjects you’re studying. This is relevant as Media is a
course I’m currently studying and I can access files relating to media. Furthermore,
Moodle allows resources and information to be retrieved from a source. This
allows me to access course documents/guidelines which benefit my learning. It
also improves organisational skills, as if I was to lose a physical copy of a handout
sheet, I will be able to retrieve a digital copy and print off another physical copy.

6. Google
 Google – Google is a search engine that has been used throughout my
coursework. As it is a search engine, the feature allows me to type words that lead
on to information and data that I am looking for. The ability to navigate through a
variety of websites, images and the access to technologies/softwares is a
prominent feature that has helped me throughout my A2 coursework. In addition
to this, Google has advanced search settings and search parameters which allow
for specific information to be retrieved and find results that are accurate and
resourceful.

7. TimeToast
 TimeToast: TimeToast is a software which allows you to create a timeline online. In
addition to this, you create text boxes and allocate a date/time where the text will
appear on the chosen date/time. In AS media studies, TimeToast was used at the
beginning of the course and from this I was a beginner at using TimeToast
because it was a piece of tech that I only started using frequently. Timetoast was
used to help organise myself with the course deadlines and to also insert
descriptions that would keep me on track throughout the course. In A2 Media
Studies, TimeToast was a re-occurring piece of tech I have used as I inserted
information and data of the assignment brief and tasks to complete for the
coursework this year inside each note. This helped me become more organised
compared to the year before, as I recorded each deadline and task objective.

8. Leyton Media Hub
 Leyton Media Hub: ‘Leytonmediahub.blogspot.co.uk’ is a website created by the
media department. It is a site that enlists all student blogs from previous and
current years studying media. This is a helpful website as it allows us to see work
of other students and is an easier platform for accessing student blogs to
comment and check our own blogs. The website home page also has
announcements and links to course documents which makes it beneficial for
students such as myself, influencing us to use the facilities within the website.

9. Technologies / Software's / Programs

10. Prezi
 Prezi – Prezi is a software which allows you to create an online presentation. This
was a really helpful piece of tech which I have used. It permits the use of
customising your own presentation by selecting a theme. Within the actual
creation of the presentation you can control the font-style, font-size and colour to
your liking. Alongside this, you have the option to create text boxes, add layers of
slides and the insertion of images, audio and videos. Prezi has made me present
my ideas in a more simplistic way when answering a question or while presenting
for a pitch.

11. Slideshare/Powerpoint
 Slideshare / PowerPoint: Slideshare is a useful website where you are able to
upload a PowerPoint on to a digital PowerPoint. This is a convenient website as it
also allows you to add a description/title and caption to the uploaded PowerPoint
to present a clearer understanding to the audience when posted on the blog.

12. Emaze
 Emaze – Emaze is a website which allows you to create an interactive presentation.
There are a lot of editing sections and a variety of options to choose from with
manipulating text, inserting videos and images and changing the front, size and
colour of text. Having an interactive presentation is always engaging when shown
or presenting to the target audience. Slides can be added to extend the interactive
presentation.

13. WiX
 Wix – Wix is a program where you’re able to create your own website. It is a really
effective program as you are in control of choosing your layout, themes, font and
colour. I think it’s professional in displaying work and helping the target audience
to easily navigate through the website with a clear understanding. You’re able to
add sections which help allocate the construction in a professional manner.
Overall, I think Wix was a fun piece of tech due to the creation of your own
website and having the prominent feature of interaction. However, I was quite
confused when first fiddling around with this website because of being new to it.

14. Construction

15. DSLR/Filming
 Canon DSLR – To create the music video we used a canon DSLR. This cannon camera
was able to capture photographs and was also used to film and record the music
video. Using the DSLR helped me improve my skills when taking photographs and
filming in a higher quality. In addition to this, the DSLR was used to take photographs
for my print products and photographs I used in the album I created. I improved the
skills of using certain shot types and angles. Using a tripod was a beneficial experience
while filming and taking photographs for print products, as it removed the shakiness as
I held the camera in a stable way. Alongside, this I had some trouble with the setting
when shooting. The lighting was appeared unusual on the cameras and thus, we had to
edit some of the footage to make the lighting seem darker following our concept.
From AS media we were able to use the DSLR and handheld camera to record footage
whilst making a video prototype. However, in A2 these skills developed towards a
higher level as we were allowed to explore and experiment with many different shot
types, angles and advanced settings.

16. Editing

17. Final Cut Pro
 Final cut pro – Final Cut Pro is a program on the Mac computer which we used to edit and construct the
music video together. In AS media studies we used Photoshop and had a tutorial, although we had a
tutorial for a lesson or two, it was quite through and helped me learn skills in editing and constructing,
which allowed for me to finish all pieces of my media products. However, in A2 Media we used
Photoshop consistently to edit photos, font and to construct the print products together. This year we
looked more at the measurements of the documents rather than having them as an A4 pages, due to all
pieces in the CD Digipack all being different measurements. With Final Cut Pro, we were allowed to edit
and add filters to alter our music video. In addition to this we added fast cutting rates. Final cut pro was
quite hard to use at first, as it was a new software, although we did have a tutorial on learning how to
sync. Synching is when you merge the footage with the audio of the track in two layers so that they’re co-
ordinated with one another. Lastly, we learnt shortcut buttons on how to synch and render the footage of
the video. Rendering allows us to upload the footage in our music video, so it appears in better quality
and also reduces the size of the overall file, helping for less time-consuming uploading of files. Overall, at
the beginning of A2, when we made a short music video of Frozen, we have learnt a few skills. However,
when filming and editing for our final product, my skills increased greatly in rendering, editing, adding
effects, filters, visuals and also synching.

18. PhotoShop
 Photoshop - Photoshop was a software I used consistently to construct my print
products. Photoshop is a software where you’re able to edit and customise
photographs, content, text and other conventions that were used in the print
product. In AS media I was able to have knowledge of Photoshop due to this.
However, this year Photoshop was a vital process when constructing our print
products, as it allowed me to push my skills and knowledge of Photoshop to an
intermediate level. I also incorporated more editing and experimenting with house
style, and specific tools in the Photoshop menu such as dodging, burning and
blurring. Although it took me time to adapt to the whole process of using
Photoshop, I believe I’ve used it to a good extent.

19. InDesign
 InDesign – InDesign is a program similar to Photoshop - however, it is more text-
based and organisational. With this I was allowed to manipulate fonts and add
text boxes. This wasn’t as vital compared to PhotoShop, but it did enhance my
skills with the layout and the construction of specific text parts that were needed
in my print products.

20. Illustrator
 Illustrator - Illustrator is another program a part of the Adobe Collection. It is used
to not only manipulate and enhance the fonts, but also to create your own font.
This could be easily done with options such as changing the opacity, fill and
adding certain effects that change the font. I used this for my title by adding
shadings and shadows to make my font stand out.