2. Throughout the research and planning process, I have encountered
many different media technologies that have allowed me to make
my work and products look professional as well as gaining
information for research. By using computers or MACs, I have
been able to access the internet which has been largely the basis
of my work in this stage. The internet has allowed me to do
research into institutions and logistics (as seen in previous
presentations) which has helped me form ideas about my work.
Also, I have been able to look at secondary research such as
example of film posters, when it comes to thinking about
conventional methods of application. The internet has then led me
to use Wordpress which has allowed me to not only post my work,
but to also be able to look back on work (to keep up to date with
the production schedule for example) . The production logs also
help to keep up to dater and advance my ideas further.
3. The individual target shown throughout the entire process on the
blogs has also helped improve my work through looking at ‘wider
reading’ more such as theories and books; rather than solely the
internet. I have been able to use a digital camera for the location
scouting stage which has not only shown where the trailer will be
taking place but also allows me to gather ideas from this throughout
the script and storyboard.
Traditional programmes such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and
Excel have also been widely used to show my work such as the
budget in which I used Excel. This software enabled the budget to
add the total by itself through the use of formulas for example. All of
the media technologies I have used have helped me gain access to
the ideas that now exist through my final products. By using a
variety of different methods such as the above, I have not only
shown my work ion a productive and professional manner, but I
have also been able to learn new programmes which can be used
in the future.
4. The construction stages of this process have introduced more technologies that I have
not had the chance to use before. The internet is still largely used, as well as the
blog so I can update the new findings and products. The use of mobile phones has
been effective as I can keep in contact with the actors within the trailer (location,
what time and date, in case of emergency etc.) as well as calling and texting the
location owner for approval and consent to use the location for that certain set
period of time.
Photoshop has been a huge part of the construction when creating the ancillary tasks. I
have used this programme for not only the final poster and magazine cover, but also
for the designs leading up to them such as the mock up designs and skeleton
layouts. Using this programme has helped me to make these creations look
effective and professional. As I have used Photoshop previously (such as AS work) I
was able to use this knowledge and advance it further. Photoshop has not only
helped make the product more professional, it has also helped overcome certain
problems such as the main image being too bright. By using different colours,
saturation etc, I was able to darken the image to fit the poster and genre.
For the main product, the trailer was shot using a video camera and boom microphone
as I had audio within it. Some of the shooting was quite challenging as I had to
apply knowledge such as camera angles and different techniques such as panning
and tilting which I have not applied previously (with regard to filming on a video
camera).
5. However, I feel I have used a variety of shots, angles and effects to make
my trailer look professional.
The use of the boom mic has also increased the professionalism
compared to the inbuilt microphone on the camera which would sound
amateur. The placement of the boom mic and the person who hols it was
also quite challenging and in some ways restricting. The location (inside)
was quite small so it was difficult to hide the person holding the boom mic.
Throughout the edit decision list, I did not include some shots due to this.
Final Cut Pro was the main programme I used for the construction and
editing of the trailer. I found it quite difficult at first as I had not had much
practise with using certain tools and transitions. However, through using
online tutorials that other people have put on sites such as YouTube and
Wordpress, I was able to expand my knowledge and learn new tools that
have helped me such as the title safe which allowed me to place my text
correctly and different audio/video transitions. Editing through Final Cut
Pro also made it look more professional and helped me overcome certain
obstacles. For example, I wanted to change the speed of certain clips in
order to show emphasis and even elongate them as they were to short
originally.
6. I also encountered Soundtrack Pro which I have never used
before. Thus, with the guidance of my tutor, I was able to
download and use many different sound effects and background
music that has allowed the trailer to create suspense and tension
within the audience. I was able to match these effects with certain
actions in the trailer which assisted the overall effect and look. I
can now use all of the above when doing another similar project.
This programme has also helped solve particular issues with
regard to importing music. When I initially imported the main
sound which runs through the majority of the trailer, it had a fuzzy,
buzzing sound as it played. By using this it would seem amateur
and unprofessional. However, using Soundtrack Pro, I was able to
turn this down, leaving the main original music behind. This
helped with the overall look of the trailer and made it more
effective.
7. The technology used for the evaluation process was
computer/MAC based. I wanted to use a range of different
programmes so that I could show my ideas in an easier,
more professional format. I did not want it to be in essay
form or all on one blog post as it would be dull to read.
Firstly, I used a programme name ‘Prezi’ which I used
through an internet website. As I had never used one
before, I found it slightly difficult to use. However, after
watching a short tutorial, it was much easier to input the
information whilst having a creative and fun edge to the
presentation. I felt using Wordpress for the second question
was best as I could lay it out in an easy, simple manner so I
could explain my ideas fully. I also included different
images that mirrored my points.
8. Within the AS evaluation, I used a voice recording which I
felt was effective, so I decided to use this to explain the
findings for question 3. As this answer was showing the
audience feedback, I thought it was easier to explain it
rather than in full sentences. I still wanted to include pictures
of my findings and the questionnaire I used so I have written
up the script I used to answer the question underneath and
have inserted the images also.
Lastly, PowerPoint was another easy method to use and I
could separate categories on different slides such as
‘Research and Planning’, ‘Construction’ and ‘Evaluation’.
Overall, the varieties of programmes has expanded my
knowledge that I could possibly use in the future. It has also
created a basis for my work to be shown and is the sole
reason I was able to create all of these products.
