I used various media technologies at different stages of my project:
- During construction, I used Photoshop, iMovie, Logic Express, and iPhoto to edit images and video, and create my trailer. I also used iTunes to download music.
- In research and planning, I used PowerPoint to analyze existing media texts and plan my work. I also used Survey Monkey, Google Docs, and Google Maps.
- For evaluation, I used PowerPoint and Google Docs to review my work and gather audience feedback through surveys.
1. Evaluation Question 4
How did you use media technologies in
the construction and research, planning
and evaluation stages?
2. Construction
Adobe Photoshop iMovie
Photoshop is a graphics editing programme, iMovie is a video editing software application,
which allows the user to import images and which allows the user to import and edit video
manipulate them to create unique designs. It footage. The user can edit the photos and video
includes tools such as cropping, drawing, clips and add titles, music, and effects, including
painting, selection, typing and retouching. basic colour correction and video enhancement
I used Photoshop in various ways such as tools and transitions such as fades and slides.
creating my mood board, poster and magazine iMovie played a key role in the construction of my
front cover. I was already fairly familiar with the product. I was able to input the videos I recorded
functions of Photoshop, as I used it during the AS on my camera to it in order to edit and
part of the course, however I experimented with manipulate the footage. It also allowed me input
new functions within the programme such as text and create clips with images.
cutting certain parts of images and blurring the Initially I found iMovie hard to get my head
edges in order to create a natural, unedited look. around, as it was the first time I had used this
Whilst creating my poster, I took technology, but through a process of trial and
inspiration from other error I begun to familiarise myself with key
documentary posters such as functions within the programme. I enjoyed
Supersize Me and used similar learning how to use different aspects of iMovie
editing techniques within Photoshop such as editing the colours of the clips, as well as
such as cutting the close-up image using transitions to create an authentic trailer.
of my talent onto a white
background, for a striking effect.
3. Construction
Logic Express
Logic Express is a digital audio workstation
software, used for inputting and editing various
music clips and sounds. The user is able to input
their own sounds using the software instruments,
as well as cut and edit existing audio tracks.
I used Logic Express during the process of editing
the song, ‘Material Girls’ for my trailer, in order to
make it shorter and include more choruses, as this iTunes
is the part of the song which would be most iTunes is a media player and media
recognisable to the audience, therefore most likely library application used to play,
to attract their attention and give them a feel for download, and organise digital audio and
what the documentary is about. videos onto personal computers.
I was already fairly familiar with the functions of I used iTunes to download the song
Logic, therefore the process of cutting the music ‘Material Girls’ which I used in my trailer.
was fairly straightforward.
This application allowed me make a quick,
It was important to be very
easy download onto my laptop, which I
precise with where I cut the song,
as I did not want their to be a then imported straight into Logic to
noticeable cut-point as this complete the editing process.
would ruin the flow of the trailer
and sound unprofessional . I
chose to make the song fade out
at the end, as this is common
within trailers, and meant I did
not have to edit the end of the
song into the music.
4. Powerpoint
Powerpoint is a programme which allows its user to create personal and
interactive presentations.
I used this software during the research, planning and evaluation stages
of my project.
Research Planning Evaluation
I used Powerpoint in order to I made a Powerpoint Powerpoint was an effective
research and analyse how existing presentation during the software in the evaluation
media texts use conventions of process of planning my process, as I was able to review
film/documentary posters. institutional context. It helped my work in an eye-catching,
(Sweeney Todd ). I found to present my findings and organised layout, putting my
Powerpoint to be a very useful tool ideas in an organised way views and points straight across
in presenting my findings in an which allowed myself and to the audience in a simple,
easy and accessible way, as I am anyone else viewing my blog coherent way.
able to go back and review my ideas to understand my ideas in a
during the process of making my simple, easy format.
own poster.
5. Slide rocket is an online presentation Microsoft Word is a word processor which
platform that lets users create, manage, allows the user to input text as well as
share and measure presentations. It has images. I found it to be a useful tool in the
been extremely useful in the research, research side, as I was able to annotate
planning and evaluation processes of my images such as the Sight & Sound
project, as it allowed me to put all my magazine analysis with ease, using
powerpoints onto my blog in an easy and arrows to highlight specific parts of the
accessible way for people to view my work. magazine. I also used it when annotating
Without SlideRocket, I would have had to the Supersize Me poster, as I was able to
find another platform to present my pick an eye-catching colour scheme which
Powerpoints on, or use a different method made the analysis more appealing to
of presentation completely. It is simple and read, and something I was able to refer
easy to use, as you import your back to with ease, when designing my
presentation straight to the website from own poster.
your computer then paste the html link
onto your blog.
6. Survey Monkey Google Docs
Survey Monkey is an online software Google Docs is a web-based office
which allows its users to create an suite by Google, which allows its
online survey. I used this website users to create and edit documents
during the research process, as I online. In this case, I used it to
created the survey to find out more research and create an audience
about my focus group and their feedback survey in order to review
interest. I then was able to have these what my focus group thought of my
preferences and attitudes in mind final products. I was also able to use
when creating my products, and this information whilst evaluating
based them around what my focus my product, as it gave me a simple
group wanted, and how they consume layout of the results, and
media. I found it to be simple and constructive criticisms of things I
easy to use, and it gave me an easy could change to improve my project.
way of reviewing the results of my
survey so I could use them to my
advantage.
7. iPhoto Google Maps
iPhoto is a digital photograph Google Maps is a web-mapping
manipulation software application, service application by Google, that
which allows its users to import photos allows its users to find specific
from most digital cameras, as well as places in the world and pinpoint
from other sources such as the internet, particular addresses. I used this
and edit them using effects such as application when mapping places I
crop, retouch and saturation. had filmed such as Southend High
I used this software in the construction Street. I also used it for planning
process of my work, by uploading when I was thinking about other
photos I had taken in changing rooms, locations I needed to film at. I found
and editing them in various ways such it to be a straightforward and
as intensifying the colours, and accessible software which gave
removing any flaws in the photos. accurate coordinates of locations I
iPhoto is an easy software to use, and had filmed at.
has an interesting range of colour
manipulation effects.