Question 6 evaluation 'Homeless'

1. Q6.
What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product?

2. Recording coursework electronically
My AS Media coursework was recorded electronically on
‘BlogSpot’, which I found to be an extremely effective way of keeping an
up- to- date portfolio of research and planning into the thriller genre. Not
only did it allow me to safely store my work, as it is digital rather than
physical, but it also allowed for ease of access, with me, the rest of my
group members and my teacher being able to see my ideas at any given
time. This experience has given me an insight into the great value that
such process’ can have when collaborating as a group. When planning
elements of our thriller opening ‘Homeless’, we were able to quickly
share thoughts and ideas, as a result of being able to digitally submit
planning, a process which would have been made far more complex with
a physical paper folder. For example, our group was able to scan our
storyboards directly onto our blogs, meaning that work could be
compared and errors were quickly rectified, something which would have
taken longer or would not have happened with individual physical
coursework folders; teaching me that technologies allow for a more
efficient process in the construction of a group project.

3. As well as allowing for flexibility, the electronic recording of coursework also has
taught me of the benefits that technology can have when trying to present your
research and findings. For example, when conducting research into the thriller
genre, I found that services such as ‘Scribd’, ‘Slideshare’ and ‘Issuu’ were useful tools
in providing me with a way of annotating images and screenshots in order to engage
in close analysis. For example, when constructing a case study on ‘The Third Man’,
the ability to upload a presentation with annotated screenshots of the film to my
coursework portfolio meant that I could analyse minor details in regard to mise en
scene, which was very valuable for future reference. As well as this, the use of
embedding clips from video sharing platforms such as ‘YouTube’ gives me the
opportunity to provide evidence which supports the points I make. For example,
following my analysis of the fight scene in ‘The Bourne Identity’, I uploaded the very
clip of that particular scene to my blog, which not only acted as good evidence to
support my case study, but was also useful when returning to this post for
inspiration for our own thriller opening; something which would have been more
difficult if produced in a physical format. As a result, I have learnt that the use of
recording coursework digitally on a blog allows for the process to be simplified
greatly. An electronic blog allows for better organisation, as all of our work is found
in one place. ‘YouTube’ clips which we use as evidence cannot possibly be stored in
physical files, which means that we would either miss out on the opportunity to use
them, or we would have to provide a written web URL link, which would become
complicated, causing us to be less time efficient.

4. Conducting Research
Throughout the stages of constructing our thriller opening
‘Homeless’, technologies have been of great use in conducting research
on the thriller genre, with internet sites such as ‘YouTube’ and ‘IMDb’
being of significantly great use in finding reliable information on thriller
texts.
‘IMDb’ was a useful tool in allowing me to analyse films of the thriller
genre, with access to general information on the plot line, names of cast
members, reviews and audience demographics. For example, when
analysing ‘The Interpreter’ I was able to provide information such as
awards that the film had won in order to display my ability to engage in
independent research, and as well as this I was even able to provide a
quote from a user review to develop my analysis skills. From this
experience, I am far greater aware of the large bank of information that
internet sites such as ‘IMDb’ provide us with, which without, I would have
been unable to engage in the case studies in as much depth as I did.

5. Planning
The use of technologies during the planning of our thriller production
‘Homeless’ allowed me to easily update my coursework portfolio regularly; for
example, with the use of a digital camera, I was able to take shots of possible
locations or practise camera angles ahead of shooting, and then upload them to
my blog immediately afterwards. Digital cameras were of huge use to our group
during the construction of our product, as it meant that stills could be rapidly
shared with each other during the planning stages of our production, whereas
the ability to upload them instantly to our coursework blogs allowed for quick
feedback from our teacher in regard to whether our locations and proposed
camera angles and shots were suitable, enabling efficient communication.

6. Collaborating with group members
During the stages of shooting our thriller opening, we ensured that all group members
were easy to contact, in case of sudden changes to proposed plans. For example, we
used mobile phones to contact one another on days of the shoot, and this proved
useful when there were sudden changes to our meeting arrangements on our full day
shoot. Due to the fact that we were easily contacted, any errors were avoided and we
were unaffected by unforeseen circumstances. As well as this, we used the social
media platform ‘Facebook’ to arrange shoots. The use of ‘Facebook’ was a useful tool
in arranging dates and times with other group members as it allows us to be flexible in
communicating with each other. For example, we were able to send each other
messages via the site in our own time, opposed to meeting each other face to face,
which involves prior arrangement and is very time consuming. Furthermore,
‘Facebook’ allows group members to update others in the case of a change in
arrangements. For example, when one of our actors was unavailable for shooting,
advising others of this change through ‘Facebook’ meant that the message was
circulated quickly and any problems were avoided. As a result, I have learnt that the
use of technology to contact others is vital when collaborating with a group of many
members and in working as part of a team.

7. The Shoot
During the shoot, the use of a digital camera was vital to the success of our
production. Recording our footage digitally meant that it could be easily
reviewed, enabling us to effectively plan for future shoots, with the
knowledge of the footage that we already had. For example, when shooting
our cliff-hanger where Norma attacks Sam, the ability to review our footage
soon after it had been taken allowed us to perfect a complicated scene.
Furthermore, raw footage could then be passed on to our teacher, who was
able to advise us further, meaning that on future shoots we had a good idea
on what we should focus our time on, meaning that we were more time
effective. From this, I have learnt that the use of digital recording equipment
greatly contributes to the success of the shooting of a complex media
product.

8. Editing
During editing of our thriller opening, we used ‘Premiere Pro’ editing software, a
technology which assisted us greatly in the construction of our product. This editing
programme allowed us to add numerous effects to our thriller opening, which in
turn allowed us to emphasise the genre of our production. For example, the ability
to use a cross fade between the clips of Sam finding somewhere to settle and
Norma planning her attack allowed us to create tension and suspense in order to
achieve a thrilling opening sequence, teaching me of the importance that an editing
program plays in the construction of a media product. Furthermore, I found that the
use of digital editing software when constructing our thriller opening held many
advantages in the process of receiving peer and tutor feedback; a rough cut of our
edit could be easily uploaded to our coursework blog, which made the process of
evaluating and assessing our progress simple and time effective. For example, when
we had roughly put together our thriller opening, I was able to identify the products
weaknesses and put together a plan of what we were to do to combat these. For
example, I felt that our chosen soundtrack did not suit the film’s gritty nature, and
so in order to improve it’s appeal I noted that it should be replaced with the more
suitable ‘Red Letter’. Without the use of such technology, we would not have been
able to combat our weaknesses during the process in this way, and so our thriller
opening may have failed to attract it’s target audience as a result, teaching me of
the significance of such technologies during the editing process.