The document discusses the various media technologies used over the course of a project to create professional quality products. These included cameras, computers, software for editing video and images, ways to present work online, and methods for planning and organization. A wide range of technologies were utilized at different stages of the project to support research, filming, editing, designing, and presenting the final results.

2. Over the course of our project, we have used
many kinds of media technology, all of which
have helped us create products of
professional quality.

3.  HDV Camera  Mobile Phone
 Tripod  iPod
 iMac  USB/Hard Drive
 Final Cut Express  Canon DSLR
 LiveType  Blogger
 Adobe Photoshop  YouTube
 Microsoft Excel  Wordle
 Microsoft PowerPoint
 Slideshare
 Prezi
 Flip Video Camera

4. For our A2 coursework, we had access to HDV Camera, which increased the
quality of the footage and also enabled to be more creative.
The HDV Camera records onto a tape, which is a safe way of capturing the
footage, and held up to
one hour of recordings.
Additionally, the camera allowed us to alter the
focus manually, something that we couldn’t
do previously. We feel as though we used the
camera’sfunctions well and created a music
video that displayed the capabilities of the
technology.
Moreover, it also increased the quality of the video when uploaded to
YouTube, as it could be viewed in High Definition.
A change in focus
was used in this
shot.

5. The tripod was a vital component of our project as it allowed
us to achieve a steady shot, which is part of the criteria
for our music video.
Additionally, we were able to pan with relative ease and
change the height and angle of our shots quickly and
efficiently.
The tripod was mainly used for the construction aspect of the
project, although it was used to film our audience research
and feedback.
Me using a
tripod when
filming.

6. The iMac was another key component in our project, as it enabled us to
research past music videos and our artist, edit and upload our own video
and record our progress throughout the duration of the process.
iMacs can contain up to 2TB of memory, meaning that we did not have to
worry about the amount of footage, images and documents we were
placing onto the machine. This was beneficial to us and we were able to
be as creative as possible as we knew the iMac could hold all of the
footage.
The iMac also holds a number of different applications, including
Safari, Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Express. Without
it, we would not be able to have completed our project.
Me editing our
music video
using an iMac
and Final Cut
Express

7. Final Cut Express was used frequently during our project, as we edited our
audience research, audience feedback, preliminary exercise and our
actual video.
For the preliminary exercise, we learnt how to use split screen, which we
considering using for our actual video.
We also edited vertically, making use of the layers feature of the
software, which meant we could easily switch
between the different footage we had.
Additionally, we also used the ‘Colour Corrector‘
option to enhance the montage section of our video. This allowed us to
boost the contrast and saturation, as well as altering the overall colour of
the clip.

8. LiveType was only used to produce the title for
our music video.
By using LiveType, we met the criteria of the
coursework, and consequently created a
better music video.

9. At the beginning of our project, we experimented with
editing video in Photoshop, although we did not pursue this
option.
However, Photoshop enabled us to create the titles for the
music video, as well as the digipak and magazine advert.
By getting to grips with the many features of Photoshop, we
were able to create two products that we
feel are of a professional standard.
Moreover, our knowledge of the software meant
that we had no limits or restrictions in terms
of what we could or couldn’t do regarding
our designs.

10. Microsoft Excel was used to create a schedule
for our filming sessions, and meant we could
work quickly and efficiently.

11. Microsoft PowerPoint gave us another medium
to display our work.
By using PowerPoint, we
were able to visually
present our work, as well
as being able to upload it
to the internet to then
place on our blogs.

12. SlideShare is an online piece of software which
allows us to upload PowerPoint presentations
and embed them into our blog.
This gives us another way to present our ideas
and research, which benefitted our project.
A list of
presentations I
have uploaded via
my account. Two of
these were from
last year’s
project, whilst one
is placed on my
music video blog.

13. Prezi is another way in which we can present our work.
The presentations created are different from PowerPoint as
the presentation is animated, and can hold pictures and
videos.
The presentations can also be embedded into other
websites, including our blogs.
This is a
screengrab of
a Prezi that I
created.

14. When the HDV Camera was not available, we used a Flip
Video Camera to film.
The Flip Video Camera was used for our audience research
and digipak analysis.
By using the Flip Video Camera, we were able to film certain
aspects of our research and planning when we
wanted, thus not limiting our project in anyway.
Additionally, the in-camera USB port meant that we could
quickly upload our footage, and begin editing it.
Two images showing
the Flip Video Camera
and some footage we
captured during a
filming session.

15. Aside from the communication capabilities which were used
to plan our filming sessions, the camera on our phones
captured images as evidence of our work, which were then
put on our blog.
Our phones also had the song on, which we then played and
lip-syncing along too.
A photo
captured from
a mobile
phone.

16. Prior to many of our filming sessions, we used
our iPods to check certain things.
One of these was the weather, as we needed to
know what to expect when filming, and
adjust our plans accordingly.
We also used our iPods to check
locations and routes when
travelling, particularly on the
tube.
This allowed us to work quickly
and make the most of our time.

17. A USB or portable hard drive was vital in our project.
By using a USB or hard drive, we were able to take our files
from school to home, or vice versa. This allowed us to
make use of our time outside of the classroom, and finish
the digipak and advert quickly.
Moreover, the portable hard drive had a capacity of 500GB
which meant that we could transfer all our files with ease.
This is my USB and
portable hard
drive, both of
which we used.

18. For our digipak and advertisement, we had to take
pictures, which meant using a still camera.
Instead of using a compact digital camera, we decided to use
a DSLR camera, which gave us more flexibility when being
creative.
This enabled us to create two products of a high standard, as
the foundations for them were strong.
An image taken
with my DSLR
camera, which is
used to create our
advert

19. In order for us to present our research, planning and construction
work, we had to use Blogger.
As Blogger could host SlideShare presentations, YouTube
videos, images and more, it was the ideal platform to present our
work.
Furthermore, it acted as inspiration for us in the latter stages of our
project, as we could look back over our initial work.

20. YouTube was our main source of research, as it is host to thousands
of music videos.
We also used it for tutorials regarding Final Cut Express and its
many functions.
Without this website, we feel as though our music video would not
maintain or develop any conventions, as we would not have been
informed of them. Furthermore, we would have severely lacked
in terms of inspiration, as most of it was gained from the site.

21. Wordle was an additional way we could present
our information, and was used in the analysis of
our surveys.
By showing information is the visual way, it is
easier to which the most common answer and
therefore easier to come to a conclusion.

22. In conclusion, it is evident that we used a wide
range of new technologies throughout our
project.
We used them to:
 Inspire us
 Aid us
 Quicken the process
 Challenge us artistically
 Present our work in a variety of ways