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

1. QUESTION 4: HOW DID YOU USE NEW MEDIA
TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION,
RESEARCH AND PLANNING AND EVALUATION
STAGES?
By Penny Watkins

2. Throughout each stage of my production process I used a variety of different new
technological software and equipment in order to produce my final product. In relation to
my music video, I used a Sony 9.5 megapixel digital camera to capture ideas visually,
experimenting with composition, camera angles, to ensure that my products were
visually appealing for my audience.
I also used a tripod alongside this as I initially began with filming
shots without a tripod however after receiving some audience
feedback, it was apparent that people stated that some of the
shots were a bit shaky and unsteady, therefore within my third
draft, I decided to use a tripod to enhance the quality of my
shots. Furthermore I also used the digital camera creatively with
a variety of different shots, for example the pan in which I used to
rotate around the two characters sitting back to back on the floor
in various locations to echo the repetitive lyrics of the song
'always like this', as if they are continuously going around in
circles. Furthermore I also used the camera to achieve shots
which were more unique to engage the audience more, such as
a mirror shot and a shot in which I placed the camera on the floor
and filmed.

3. In relation to my post production stages I initially started off with using Adobe Premiere Pro to
edit my raw footage into a montage of shots to create my music video. However after
creating and finalizing my first two drafts of my music video, it was apparent from both my
knowledge and audience feedback that the software in which I was using did not enhance
the music video quality and editing techniques as well as it could of. Therefore I decided to
purchase and download a new software called ISkySoft, in which offered a larger range of
editing techniques, effects, the application of text, a wide variety of transitions and the ability
to manipulate the soundtrack of the song so that I could shorten it, due to my audience
feedback stating that they felt the song dragged.

4. An example of a time in which I used transitions
from this software was the use of cross dissolve
and fade to black, however I mostly used jump
cuts throughout therefore the use of transitions
wasn't needed as much. However Iskysoft offered
a variety of different effects which were an
essential element to my music video to
distinguish between the past and present and to
use a black and white filter to represent the fact
that the couples relationship has gone cold and
emotionless.
I also used Iskysoft within my
evaluation to create a visually
interesting answer to the questions
and to add evidence linking in with
the script in which I was reading out.
This programme allowed me to
effectively add sound, and text to the
video and add a montage of images
and video clips to produce into a
finalized, creative way to present my
answer to my first evaluation
question.

5. Furthermore I also used Blogger throughout all stages of production; pre-production, production
and post production as a way to; present my findings of my research of existing products, a way to
show my planning stages and to add audience feedback and analysis and to also present my final
evaluation findings and analysis. Blogger is an effective and free way to present my work neatly
and coherently in order of date and was a great way to interject interactive elements within each
blog post.
Link to my blog:
http://mediastudiesa2portfolio.blog
spot.co.uk/2015/10/blog-post.html

6. I also used a variety of different social networking sites such as Youtube, Google, Facebook and
Twitter in a variety of different ways. For example, I initially used YouTube in my research and planning
stages to view existing music videos, so that I could analyse them in detail to gain information into the
codes and conventions of an existing music video and to act as inspiration for my own music video. I
then went onto using YouTube as an app in which I uploaded both my first, second, third and final draft
to branch out to the wider audience to gain critical feedback into how I could improve my music video
after each draft. This was an easy and effective method that allowed me to continuously improve on my
work.

7. Alongside this, I used Google throughout the entirety of
my research stages, of both my main product and
ancillary tasks. I used this to look at existing products in
order for me to analysis them and gain inspiration from
them in which I could incorporate into my own work. In
relation to constructing my evaluation I used things
such as Youtube and Google to embed clips and
images into the post and video clip to back up all the
ideas and findings displayed and evaluated, but to also
visually represent my ideas and work.
SlideShare was also used within both research and
evaluation stages. For example, I used SlideShare
as a source of information on my choice of genre
which was indie, and the conventions in which I
collected about the conventions of this genre to help
me develop my knowledge and apply this to my own
product. Furthermore I also used SlideShare in one
of my evaluation questions instead of creating a
video and a voice over. I choose to use this instead
so that I could visually present my answer instead of
using a basic essay style answer, which wasn't as
interactive as a SlideShare presentation.
Link to my slideshare:
http://www.slideshare.n
et/PennyWatkins1/eval
uation-question-two-1

8. In relation to my Digipak and Magazine advertisement
which is explored here within both blog posts which can
be found on blog:
http://mediastudiesa2portfolio.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/blo
g-post.html
I used the website ‘Photovisi’ which is an online editing
programme which helped me achieve the effect of a
‘hazy’ image in which I duplicated the image of the lead
singer. This programme was an easy and simple way to
get the effect of the overall magazine advertisement.
I then progressed onto ‘Photoshop’ to add
things such as the logo and other information
which I tested out, for example the use of the
5 star rating etc.
I also used Photoshop to add things such as
the blue logo in the bottom right of the
magazine advertisement instead of using the
conventional logo which I used on my
Digipak.
In relation to my Digipak I also used
Photoshop and the editing programme Pisca
to add certain filters, such as colour focus and
black and white and then used Photoshop to
further develop this and add things such as
the bands logo and record label.