Evaluation Question 4 - How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

1. Media technologies were a crucial part during in the production of my final
music video. Through using a wide range of technologies I have been able to
both improve and develop my skills using both hardware and software
in all stages of production for my final music video and media products. All of
the technologies contributed to the production of my final media products
certain technologies were however easier to use and in return more
successful due to this factor.
A wide range and variety of different media technologies were used
throughout all stages of production, whether it had been from research to
evaluations. These technologies allowed me to effectively demonstrate just
how we use digital technology through technological convergence.
Technological convergences is clearly shown through the fact that I was able
to produce, research, plan, distribute and edit my final media products all
from one computer which shows the evident evolution and development of
technology within the last 20 years (Web 2.0).
Using a variety of different media technologies
was extremely vital and important when
conducting my research into existing media texts.
During my research I used a variety of different
websites from the artist’s official website to in
particularly YouTube to view existing music videos
which were then analysed. These websites were
extremely useful due to the fact they were free
platforms resulting in me being able to view the videos as much as I possibly
wanted to. YouTube allowed me to access a wide range of different genres
of music which in return enabled me to expand and develop my research in
more depth and detail. These websites also helped me to develop expand
on my existing knowledge of the conventions of music videos, this in return
contributed during the planning stages of production.

2. Research for my ancillary tasks were primarily
constructed through the use of specific artist’s
websites (e.g. www.the1975.com) and
Google images to download images of
digipak’s and album posters which were all
used and analysed on presented on my
blog.
For my primary research I constructed a simple questionnaire in order to
both understand and gatherer information on what type of content and
themes my intended target audience would enjoy watching. I created my
survey using the website Survey Monkey, which allowed me to create a
simple questionnaire to send out to a number of different recipients.
Survey Monkey proved to be highly
useful and successful, as I was
easily able to collect all the results
automatically. I was then able to
present the results in an easy to
read and understand result tables
Microsoft Word. Although the one
limitation to using this website was the fact that I was limited to only 10
questions, which resulted in me not being able to go into detail on some of
the questions, which in return would have provided more specific and in
more detailed results.
The footage for the music video was obtained using a HD camera. I had
previously used the camera to capture the images needed for my
foundation portfolio, although I hadn’t previously used the camera to film
content, resulting in me being able to develop a wide range of new skills and
gain a more in depth understanding into the cameras different functions and
settings. I was able to use the F. stop to on the camera in order to adjust the
amount of light in the camera lens, which allowed me to capture and
produce higher quality footage. Other settings on the camera also allowed
the lens to focus primarily on one area of the subject, making the subject
standout and be the focal point over the rest of the image.

3. In order to create the raw footage I used the software Adobe Premier, I had
previously used Adobe Photoshop but Premier was software I haven’t
previously been familiar with. The programme enabled me to develop my
skills on how to effectively edit clips together using a wide range of different
tools along with knowledge on how to add effects/colour manipulations
(black and white)in the post-production of my music video. Through the use
of the software it has helped to make the final video look and feel more
professional. Adobe Photoshop was used to create my final ancillary projects
as well as help to construct the planning to my ancillary projects, I used the
knowledge and skills I had acquired from using the software for my
foundation portfolio.
Through the use
of this more
advanced
software allowed
me to make a
higher quality final product due to the
editing process which made the music video
more appealing to our target audience.
Although, the software allowed the final music video to
be at a high standard of quality, the use of such advanced
software did however mean that all the features available to weren’t used,
due to the fact that some features didn’t apply to our video or simply weren’t
easy to use.

4. I produced and presented all of the final
and production pieces of my music video
and ancillary’s onto the blogging website
blogger.com, through the site I was able to
upload all of the relevant documents and
information, from my research analysis tasks to my music video storyboards
and other important pieces of work. Through using the website I have been
able to clearly display and present my work into the different stages of
production through the use of the label feature which I had previously used
on my foundation portfolio. This allowed the posts on the blog to be easily
located.
I also used the website Slide Share and Prezi both of which I
had previously used for my foundation portfolio both were
extremely useful when presenting word documents and
evaluations. Both had to be embedded onto the blog in order
for them to be viewed. Despite both of the websites
occasionally being temperamental due the version of the flash
player that was installed on the computer. Overall these were
the two simplest and quickest ways in which to present my
word documents and other information onto my blog.
In conclusion the media technologies used throughout the production and
presentation of my work were an extremely important part when producing
my final music video and ancillary’s, as they were involved in all stages of
production. Using media technologies also allowed me to successfully
research existing music videos which in return helped me through the
planning stages of production. They also helped me with using Adobe
Premier as we were able to edit our music video to a high quality. With the
use of media technologies in all the stages of production clearly
demonstrates technological convergence, as all 3 stages of production
(research, development and distribution) were achieved by using just one
machine.