2. Research and planning
In the research and planning stages I used multiple software's including:
Microsoft Word
PowerPoint
Scribd
Prezi
PowToon
YouTube
SlideShare
Blogger
3. YouTube
Before my coursework began I already had some knowledge on YouTube
on the creativity it offers. I particularly found this resource useful for getting
ideas for our documentary and for uploading our group updates online.
This enabled us to reflect on our work in order to improve the overall look.
On reflection I am pleased that I used YouTube as it is easy to use, you can
upload at the click of a button. I already had a sound knowledge on file
types so choosing and rendering mp4 formats provided no issues.
4. Prezi & PowToon
Originally I only had a small amount of knowledge on the use of these
software's such as only using templates and adding personalised texts. This
was acceptable but I completed a large amount of research into using
the advanced features the software offers. I learnt how to choose which
paths Prezi would follow in order for it to be in a sensible order. With
PowToon I also researched into how to chose your own animations rather
than use a complete template layout. This enabled me to make the
document more appropriate to my subject such as by having animations
of people on their phones. On reflection I would use Prezi again as the
layout is easy to follow and it is easily acceptable, however I would not use
PowToon as I struggled with the timings of texts and animations appearing
on screen.
5. Blogger, SlideShare & Scribd
All of these are used to publish already created documents such as
PowerPoints and word documents. SlideShare and Scribd both focus on
uploading the file so it can be embedded into other presentations, this
was particularly useful as the embed code was needed to upload my
work onto blogger. Both SlideShare and Scribd were easy to use as all was
uploaded at the click of a button, I would use both again however I did
have some trouble with Scribd and the layout of some Word documents.
Blogger is where we uploaded all our research and planning to, it enables
you to put multiple posts up, as well as this you can edit the time a
document is published in order for you work to appear in a chronological
order. I would use blogger again as it is extremely effective in producing
and orderly blog to be viewed.
6. Hardware
Before the filming process of our documentary I had little knowledge on
the use of camera in terms of getting the best quality shots with the most
creative view. We completed sessions in which we learnt how to use all
the hardware's including a cannon HG20 camera, tripod and directional
microphone. These were essential for filming all our footage that was
needed for the documentary, I feel along the process I developed a clear
understanding on how to use these to the best of my ability.
7. Cannon HG20 camera
Before using the camera I first had to have a comprehensive knowledge
on all the different shot types such as medium close ups (for expert
interviews) and close ups (of the subject that was mobile phones). The
camera was easy to use such as the use of the zoom, through this we
could get different views of our footage. However in doing this I also learnt
how to make the camera go in and out of focus, this enabled creative
shots and we could avoided unwanted blur.
8. Tripod & directional microphone
The use of a tripod turned out to be vital in that it enabled steady shots of
models and scenarios. We did not always use a tripod as we felt a hand
held camera would give a more realistic view, however a tripod was very
useful for vox-pops and expert interviews. It enabled us to complete
steady pans and zooms on the image, a tripod meant there was no
shaking in the footage which was essential.
A directional microphone was useful in getting high quality audio
feedback from our footage. It got rid of background noises and enabled a
clear audio sound when completing vox-pops and expert interviews, we
felt it was essential to be able to clearly hear the views presented. To use
this the use of headphones was also needed to make sure no background
noises were detected before filming took place.
9. Technologies used for the construction
& editing process
The software's I used were:
GarageBand
Photoshop
InDesign
Adobe Premiere
10. Garage band
To create our radio trailer we had to learn how to use Garage band to
edit the recorded audio. At first look I found the software to be too
complex and I consistently made mistakes in terms of layering and pitch.
However after appropriate help from experts such as teachers, and joint
work with peers the tools became easier to use. Overall I felt that garage
band is easy to use for editing simple features such as sound levels,
however for creating sounds from scratch was hard to use. I have
previously used similar programs such as audacity which I feel provided an
easier format, however I would use garage band again for more complex
audio editing.
11. Garage band in use
This shows garage band in use, it shows the timeline used for our radio
trailer product. It also shows different layers, this enables us to edit certain
parts of our audio without effecting the whole radio trailer.
12. Photoshop & InDesign
I already had a vast amount of knowledge on the use of Photoshop. This
came from my personal use/experiences of the software. The software was
not used much but I was easily able to edit pictures, such as by removing
backgrounds with the magic wand tool, so they could be place onto
InDesign.
InDesign is the main program used to create our TV listing. We first planned
our product through the use of drawn drafts. I first researched into already
created media products to draw inspiration. I feel I used this program
effectively by using multiple tools on it, including placing images and
wrapping text around them. We used features such as drop caps which
cannot be easily made in programs such as Photoshop, therefore I would
use this program again for creation purposes.
13. Use of Photoshop and InDesign
We used Photoshop to edit an image of our expert interview with a
transparent image onto InDesign. The InDesign image shows our final
product including the features we used such as drop caps.
14. Adobe Premiere
This software was extremely new to me, I had previously used similar
software such as Sony Vegas, however I found this only hindered my ability
of learning different features. However after I learnt the differences, by
watching multiple tutorials, the software became easy to use. Our whole
documentary was edited on there and we made good use of features
such as resizing the aspect ration and changing brightness levels. As well
as this the software easily enabled us to order all our video footage and
audio recordings on a timeline to get a professional product. I would not
hesitate to use the software again as the tools are laid out in an easy to
follow method, it simplifies the editing progress. I would consider using this
in my personal use as I have developed all the key skills it offers and I wish
to continue my learning with the tools it offers.
15. Use of Adobe Premiere
The image shows some of the key features such as brightness levels and a easy
to use timeline. The images shows our media documentary and how we ordered
our video and audio on the timeline to achieve a smooth and professional finish.
You can also see the text tool in action and the accuracy it provides.
16. Evaluation stages
The programs used to complete my evaluation consist of:
Sony Vegas Pro 10
PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
SlideShare
YouTube
17. Sony Vegas pro
This is the only program not previously discussed my developments in.
Before my evaluation coursework I already had an almost complete
knowledge on the use of Sony Vegas, for my evaluation I used it to shorten
clips and to put together video clips and audio segments. This created the
directors cut effect that I was hoping for in a positive way. I feel that
because I had first made a script I had to do little editing to the audio as it
was already clear and of a high quality. However I had to resize the
aspect ratio of some of the clips used to allow a full screen view, this was
the only editing process that was needed to complete my evaluation
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