The student learned several things about technologies from creating an opening sequence. They used a high-definition camera with an external microphone, learning about tools like white balance and rule of thirds grids to improve shot quality. For editing, the student used Adobe Premiere Pro more extensively than before, learning new elements like the Fast Color Corrector tool to individually tweak lighting and apply hue, saturation, and white balance adjustments to clips.

1. What have you learned about
technologies from the process of
making this product?
SHANNON DOYLE

2. Camera
During the process of creating our opening sequence, of course a camera was
necessary to film the shots that we were to use. Although the filming of our shots wasn’t
primarily something that I was focussing on personally, I had noticed and learned many
more things then I have done previously.
In a previous experience of filming I had used a very simple standard-definition camera,
however this time round I had used a more advanced high-definition camera. I had also
learned that to film shots with audio successfully we would also need to have on hand an
external microphone or a boom pole; both of which had been used at different times
throughout our piece. Producing audio which was clear and easily heard, however I did
learn that due to an external microphone being used (of any type) there is the possibility
to attract a large amount of wind noise. This was something which we did encounter
quite frequently and had to try and overcome through the use of post-editing.

3. Techniques
Due to the camera being of a higher standard than those previously
used, I had to become familiar with a more complex menu; which
provided us with many useful tools, from white balance to a rule of
third grid. These two tools specifically were used very frequently to
ensure that this was most professional looking piece that we could
make. The white balance was used to ensure that the light
temperature was correct for each scene and different lighting
situation, this would ensure not only continuity but also a piece which
reflects reality and a situation which is believable. The grid was also
used frequently and was very helpful in creating and framing shots
which were aesthetically pleasing, by placing things in particular
places- to create balance. These two aspects of the camera were
extremely useful and in comparison to past experiences with cameras
and filming produced something of a much higher standard.

4. Adobe Premiere Pro
During this task, Premiere Pro was the main editing software in which we used;
personally I had used this predominantly for the editing of things such as lighting.
Previously, although I have had experience with using Premiere Pro, I haven’t used it in
the same depth as I did when creating this opening sequence, I only ever stuck to a
few aspects of the program which I was familiar with. Previously, although Premiere pro
was used I had not explored the tools and potential effects that I could have used and
so gaining more experience with the program enabled me to learn much more about it
resulting in a production of more success. However, for this task I was far more
ambitious within what I wished to achieve and so I was using new elements of the
program which I hadn’t used before; so although this was quite taxing from more than
one point of view, it created a more effective outcome. The main things that I used
and had discovered were the techniques for: lighting and colour, these things help to
produce a different and effective atmosphere.

5. Techniques
Specifically the ‘Fast Color Corrector’ was a tool that I was previously unfamiliar with
however was used frequently to enhance the mood of our opening sequence. This tool
enabled me to play around with multiple things, including:
White balance
Hue
Saturation
Our shots were filmed at many different angles and so the lighting needed individual
tweaking to ensure continuity within our piece. I had learned how to correct the white
balance of images by using this tool, to correct and alter the light temperature of the clips
before varying them further in terms of atmosphere.
The colour cast that I placed upon the clips (a blue hue) was also edited in terms of
saturation, to create either a low contrast to the shots, however I had to remember that in
terms of realism the saturation shouldn’t be too high or it will detract from the piece;
therefore the saturation was kept quite low.

6. Techniques
Specifically the ‘Fast Color Corrector’ was a tool that I was previously unfamiliar with
however was used frequently to enhance the mood of our opening sequence. This tool
enabled me to play around with multiple things, including:
White balance
Hue
Saturation
Our shots were filmed at many different angles and so the lighting needed individual
tweaking to ensure continuity within our piece. I had learned how to correct the white
balance of images by using this tool, to correct and alter the light temperature of the clips
before varying them further in terms of atmosphere.
The colour cast that I placed upon the clips (a blue hue) was also edited in terms of
saturation, to create either a low contrast to the shots, however I had to remember that in
terms of realism the saturation shouldn’t be too high or it will detract from the piece;
therefore the saturation was kept quite low.