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

2. Throughout my project I have used a number of different technologies to produce products to a high standard which look as authentic as possible. I have also used different technologies to present my work in a variety of format.

3. Filming To film the footage I need for my music video I used a Sony HD video camera. It was straight forward to use and I borrowed if off my friend so that I didn’t have to worry about not being able to use one of the schools camera when I need to film. As the Camera filmed in HD the footage had to be changed into a DV format so that it was compatible with final cut pro. This ma have taken longer but the quality of the filming was higher and I did not have to worry about getting a school camera. Throughout films, apart from when I wanted a hand held effect, I used a tripod so that the shots were steady, making them appeal my professional. As well as this using a tripod allowed me to used a variety of angles and shots in my music video which adds to their conventions.

4. Editing After I had finished filming I had to upload all the shots onto an apple Mac computer which were available for editing at my Sixth Form . The apple Mac’s contain a number of different specialist software used for video and picture editing. The programme I used when editing my music video was Final Cut Pro. Using Final Cut Pro was at an advantage for me compared to last year where I used iMovie. This is because the two panels allow easier simultaneous editing, especially lip syncing, the clips are kept allowing them to be reused if needed and there is a greater range of effects that can be applied within Final Cut Pro and from other programmes. An example is where I superimposed shots so that I could fade out the boy whilst leaving the artist in the shot. This was an important effect as it added to the emotion I was portraying in my music video. I also used simple effect such as a fade in and out for the beginning and end of my music video as these are typical conventions. Another conventions I fulfilled using special effects was the title of the song and the artist. I did this using a programme called Live Type and then importing the title into Final Cut Pro, then finally superimposing it over the first clip. The overall use of special effects add to the authenticity and emotion of the product.

5. Production of ancillary products For my digipack and CD advert I decided to use the print publication Microsoft Publisher to product the final products. By using Publisher it allowed me to create my own templates which I made to the correct size for a digipack and A4 CD poster allowing them to look more realistic. When I was planning my digipack I knew I wanted to used a still from my music video as this is obviously linking them together. I decided I wanted a shot which represented then couples close relationship and used it for the back cover of my digipack. For the remaining images used in my digipack I used my Sony digital camera which gave high quality pictures. I edited the images using Picasa 3 software which enabled me to add a focal black and white effect to the image I used for the front cover of my digipack. I added this effect so that the focus was on the flower which the artist was holding. I then used a close up sot of the flower for the inside panels of my digipack. Overall, I used the software available to be to product as authentic product as possible which would appeal to my target audience. For my CD advert I used the same picture I used for my digipack front cover s that there was a clear link and I also used the same software to product the final outcome.

6. Blogger and the internet The entirety of my A2 coursework has been documented on a blog using a popular blogging website. This has been a change from AS asmy work was recorded in a scrap book. Using a blog allows much more interaction and the use of a number of different formats. This is due to it being a web 2.0 development. I have been able to use Youtube video, still images and PowerPoint presentations throughout my coursework. This has made it easier for me carry out textual analysis as I can include the actual text I have analysed. As well as Youtube videos I have used a video of myself talking about my coursework and uploaded it straight to my blog. I have been able to upload PowerPoint’s, such as this, using slideshare.com where I am able to upload my PowerPoint and then share it onto my blog. I have used the internet not only to access my blog but also in my research stages. The search engine which I used was Google. Using this allowed me to find the information I was looking for quickly and easily.

7. Issues with technology I have had some issues with technology throughout my project as at the start blogger was blocked at my sixth form so I was unable to upload anything to my blog. I worked around this by saving my work in a word document and then uploading it at home. Youtube was also block so I could not analyse existing music videos at school. I also had an issue when my laptop broke as I had not access to upload and update my blog. I tried working around this as best as I could by going found my families and using their computers but this was difficult as I only have limited time.