3. Final Cut Pro
Through the whole
editing process the main
technology that we used
was Final cut pro. This is
where we edited our film.
When using final cut
pro we learnt how to
render the clip, to
make sure that the
sound matches the
clip and plays
smoothly. The red line
on top of the timeline
indicates that the film
needs rendering. To
do this you have to
press ‘cmdR’
The timeline can
also create layers,
meaning that you
can have multiple
sound effects
playing at the same
time.
We also included cross
fades at the beginning
and end of music, to
fade it in and out
smoothly.
4. Motion
Motion was used to create the
2 idents that were at the
beginning of our film, the title of
our film and the names of the
crew members.
We used a template
which already had
the transitions of
how the text will
come on and off,
we found this the
easiest way.
We used the same text type and transition for
the crew members. When doing this we learnt
that we had to keep the text simple and small
and position it in the corners of the frame. When
uploading the text into final cut pro we learnt that
we had to make sure that title safe was on so
that the text fits in the frame so that it can be
seen on the cinema screen.
We also learnt that you can change
the colour of the text, which is what
we did when we created the ‘Eman
production’ ident.
5. Creative commons
Creative commons is a
website that we used
when looking for sound.
We learnt that we had to use this
website to search for songs through
soundcloud as this was the only
illegal way to include sound in our
film.
Apart from soundcloud, there
is other ways you can
download music from creative
commons, for example
‘ccMixter’ But we decided to
use soundcloud which we
found was the easiest
technology to use.
When we’ve searched for a
song that we wanted to use we
had to make sure that there’s a
download button below the
song, after you have
downloaded the song, you can
upload it into final cut pro.
6. Handbrak
e
Handbrake is found on the
mac desktop and is used to
compress videos.
We used handbrake to
compress our trailer and our film
when it was finished. After
exporting the film from final cut
pro we uploaded it into
handbrake, and made sure that
we pressed ‘blogger’ on the right
hand side.
This compressed the video and made it
a MP4 file which allowed us to upload
the video onto blogger.
7. Audio converter
Audio is similar to handbrake but used for audio. By
dragging the downloaded sound from soundcloud into
audio converter makes the sound smaller, which then
allowed us to use this in final cut pro.
8. Overall, the variety of technology allowed us to become more creative as
media students. The technologies were also helpful throughout the whole
editing process as they all worked together. We needed each technology
in order to complete our film. Final cut pro, was the most important.
Creative commons was used to download our songs which we then
converted in ‘audio converter’ to upload it onto final cut pro. Motion was
used at the end to make all of our text. Lastly handbrake was used to
compress our films to then upload them onto blogger.
10. Blogger
Blogger is what we used to post absolutely everything on such as
pictures story boards our pitch ect. This was useful as we were able to
look back at what we had previously planned and were entitled to make
changes which we did quite a lot for example our story board that we
originally planned wasn't what we wanted to continue with so we were
able to look at it and make changes which was useful.
Blogger in my opinion was the main resourse that we used in order to
plan and research for our teen film. This is because we used it from the
very beginning where we were reenacting the breakfast club right to the
very end of our own media production.
When using blogger we learnt that we can add images into our blog
posts as well as videos. We were also able to embed clips from youtube,
our prezi presentation etc. This was very useful as it gave us an
opportunity to use different technologies that were needed but everything
was located on one blog.
11. Timetoast
Timetoast was the second most popular recourse in order for us to plan. We used
timetoast at the very beginning to organize the different shots used in the breakfast
club opening. This was for us to know how long each shot should be as we made a
remake of it. Timetoast was also useful as we were able to present different ident
titles that are in films. This helped us massively as it gave us greater understanding
of where and why different titles are placed where they are in films. This was an
easy way for us show what we knew as we also posted this on our blog as a part of
our planning journey. Which also helped us for our final product as we needed to
include our own idents.
Through this, we learnt how the shots should be ordered and how long the shots
should be. We also learnt the order the titles should be shown in and the length of
time they should be shown for; depending on the amount of money each movie
ident has put into the production.
Overall when using timetoast we learnt that it creates a timeline and you can add
the starting and ending date. These dates don’t necessarily need to have anything
to do with the timeline itself its just so that it gives you space so that you can
separate information. We also learnt that at each point on the timeline you can add
images to do with your text. Overall, timetoast is a good technolgy for orgonising
things like key dates and is good for planning.
12. YouTube
YouTube has been key within our planning and research.
We have got so much inspiration from watching different
teen movies. We had looked at over 10 different teen film
dramas including these three. We wanted to see a range
of different stereotypes that star in teen dramas and pick
out which ones we think we will be able to demonstrate
best. Watching different movie trailers allowed us to think
of a range of locations for example in the school toilets,
corridors, at home. This allowed us to come up with a
better storyline than our original one as we thought about
different locations we could use other than at home. If we
didn't use youtube as a part of our planning and research I
believe that our final product would not have been as good
as it is as we would of used more basic ideas for example
just filming in the school.
13. Prezi
We also used prezi throughout our
planning. This was an ideal recourse
for us as it allowed us as a group to
plot down our ideas and tasks into
different bubbles on one presentation.
We learnt that this made it easy for us
whilst planning as we were aware of
what it was we all had to do in order to
carry our our next tasks and everyone
could work on the same presentation
at the same time.
14. Planning has been a long process. We had to make sure
everything was in order before we began to do any filming.
These different types of technologies that we used in our
planning and research process made our blog more interesting
and allowed us to varieties the way we presented our work.
16. Filming camera
Instead of using the college camera, we chose to
use the Nikon DS3200. This is because we thought
that the other camera provided better quality film
and because it was more convenient when filming
eg. because it’s compact.
This enabled us to film our teen film opening
sequence both inside and outside college as and
when we wanted. In addition, although it had a
slower speed compared to the college one, (a
shutter speed of 25), we felt it focused more clearly
and for longer periods of time.
In addition, it was more convenient as we could take
pictures as well, without having to use a different
camera.
From this, we learnt that the quality of the teen film
opening sequence is important as if it is low quality,
viewers will lose interest. In addition, we learnt how
to correctly record our scenes to make our teen film
T.E.A.M.
17. Lights
The LED lights used when filming
helped us learn that correct lighting
is vital when filming. If there is not
the correct lighting, it can make
scenes confusing. For example, if
filming a film when it’s meant to be
midday and it’s dark – it’s not going
to make sense. However, using the
LED lights can brighten up scenes.
In addition to this, not only the use
of LED lights but lighting itself is
important. An LED light is not
needed all the time as some
natural lighting makes for the best
scenes, eg. using an LED light in
bright sunlight will ruin a scene as it
will make it too bright and it will be
hard to view.
18. MicrophoneFrom the microphone that is placed on top of the camera to
pick up sound, we learnt that if we filmed without this we would
produce low quality sound which would result in a low quality
film, as viewers would not be able to hear or understand what’s
being said or going on. The microphone also comes under
sound as it records noise however it also comes under filming
as it is used whilst filming to ensure the sound quality is high.
In addition, we learnt that the microphone should be placed
horizontally on top of the camera to pick up the best sound, and
you mustn’t be too close or too far away from the microphone
otherwise the sound may not pick up as well.
Furthermore, we learnt that the microphone must always be
connected correctly, switched on and tested before use
otherwise you may go filming a scene without the microphone
on/working, resulting in you having to refilm the scene.
To conclude, we lernt that the microphone can also be used to
record voiceovers and add to the film,. What needs to be done
is it must be recorded with the shutters over the camera, so
you can’t see anything and then the file is transferred into our
editting equipment, Final Cut Pro and then the video is
detatched and the audio file is editted and added over a clip.
19. Flip camera
Whilst filming, we also used a flip camera to
record additional clips that would help us with
our teen film movie. For example, we got some
behind the scenes footage on a flip camera, as
well as the camera we used.
Through the use of the flip camera we learnt
that the purpose of this camera is not to
produce high quality footage and anything
filmed on here would be classed as low quality if
used as it does not have the correct shutter size
and focus settings etc. However, it is to be used
to gain extra information for example through
interviews of the target audience (in this case,
teens) that can help us during the process of
filming for example, the locations teens would
like the film to be set and the characters they
would like to see filmed etc.
20. Still camera
We used the panasonic lumix to take still
images whilst filming. This was really useful
for taking pictures of potential locations we
were going to film at, the potential outfits
the characters were going wear. We also
used the images we took and added it to our
storyboard, which was useful as it helped us
become more prepared whilst filming as we
knew what we needed already. Through
this, we learnt that using still images can get
you organised and is vital for filming
process and it helps you know what is going
to be filmed. It also helps you spot errors as
if you know what is meant to be filmed, and
it’s not, that can be changed.
21. Overall, a lot can be learnt from the filming process. Using just one
piece of equipment to film everything is not sufficient and is
irresponsible as each technology has it’s function that it’s best at and
one technology can’t do everything as good as another. For example,
the flip cameras don’t produce as good quality film as the main camera
we used to film, however it’s good as the quality is still clear so you can
see what is needed eg. For interviews however it’s not high quality so
will take less time to upload. Also, this allows us to keep footage
separate, making it easier to organise and film what is needed. Using
all of the technologies that we have together has made the filming
process of the making of T.E.A.M a lot easier as we needed the lighting
to brighten up some scenes, we needed the microphone to ensure
what is being said is being heard and for the voiceover etc. The filming
process, as well as the other processes, is a vital stage in the making
of our teen film and it would not be possible without all the technology
mentioned.
