1. Evaluation
question 4
How did you use media
technologies in the construction and
research, planning and evaluation
stages?

2. Prezi
• At the beginning of the course as we started to analyze and understand the purpose of trailers and
how exactly they are constructed Prezi was a very useful tool in helping me evidence and summarize
my knowledge of the codes and conventions of trailers. Prezi is an effective tool as it offers an
alternative form of media involving it’s audience as opposed to using Microsoft PowerPoint which is
useful however, less interactive or simply pasting images onto a word document. It allowed me to
clearly define each component of a trailer within a clear layout which is easy to navigate.
For example when analysing Tucker and Dale vs evil, Prezi allowed me to map each convention of
the trailer on one page whilst being able to navigate easily and interactively through each one.

3. Powerpoint & Slideshare
• PowerPoint and Slide share have been very useful tools throughout the research and planning process
for me as they have allowed me to express my ideas in a clear and professional format in which I can
easily navigate through, as opposed to writing large amounts of text on a page which takes a long time
to read through and make points from.
• Slide share has been particularly helpful in helping me blog my ideas as it functioned as a tool to help
me present my ideas on PowerPoint as an alternative of taking lots of screen shots of my slides.
However, slide share is also good as it means I can put my slides into blog posts and then annotate them
underneath with any further comments I wish to make about the information presented.
For example my analysis of
Burton’s theory:

4. Celtx
Celtx is a programme designed for scriptwriting and pre production planning. Celtx came in very useful in the planning for
production process in two ways:
1) It allowed us to establish a clear idea of the chronology of our trailer in terms of dialogue and action and also allowed
us to give our actors directions and instruct them exactly what to say. Therefore, helping us tell the narrative we wanted
to in our trailer.
2) It allowed us to create a production schedule which allowed us to prepare for each phase of our trailer making
process e.g. Props, makeup and wardrobe, cast, sound and special effects.

5. Filming technology
• In order to achieve a professional standard to our work we used a single lens reflex Nikon
camera which meant we could experiment with different lenses. Through the process of
learning about different camera functions I learnt how to pull focus (shifting the lens to keep
a subject sharp) which is done by focusing the ring at the front of the camera lens, making
sure the camera is on manual focus. This creates a good effect if you are aiming for a blurry
vision effect or putting something into perspective.
• Lighting- In order to be able to film in the dark to achieve the desired effect for our footage
(low key lighting and shadows upon the actors) we used Key Lighting. This meant the actors
and certain surroundings such as the table, stairs and mirror could be seen but insignificant
things which take away from the dark atmosphere are not seen. We also used the lighting in
order to help us take shots for our ancillary texts. See below.
• We also used a Hama star tripod for precision and stability of our footage, without these two pieces
of equipment we would not have been able to achieve the level of quality and professionalism needed.

6. Photoshop
• Since as level media I have had basic knowledge and skills of how to use Photoshop which allowed me to design simple
media products e.g. a magazine cover. However, throughout the process of A2 there was an increased need to develop
my skills as the production work required a large amount of editing, adding special effects to fit the horror genre and in
turn required a higher skill level on Photoshop.
• The way in which it helped my production work is through the way it could be used to create our ancillary texts such as
film posters and the magazine cover. Photoshop enabled me to blend images (feathering and blending colors
together), manipulating different fonts to create a horror style type face that reflected the genre, and altering photos
by changing exposure, saturation levels and contrast.
• Photoshop enabled me to show a level of professionalism in our work as it allowed us to create certain features of a
film poster such as the credit block at the bottom of the poster and layering in order to alter the composition of
fonts, images, logos ect to create a realistic film poster.

7. Sound cloud
• Sound Cloud is an online audio programme that allows collaboration, promotion and distribution
of audio recordings, from sound cloud we were able to get some ambient sounds such as the
sound of rain, a thunder storm and general horror sound effects. For example we used the sound
of a windy rain storm as an atmospheric device- in conjunction with the production logo ‘Thriller
Productions’ at the start of the trailer.
In this way sound cloud helped us to add to the professionalism and effectiveness of the trailer.

8. iMovie
iMovie was an effective tool in helping us compose our trailer as it allowed us to edit our footage in the way
we wanted to express the narrative effectively.
For example, we used it to cut footage, speed up and slow down footage, reverse our footage, add filters and
change the quality of the footage to create different types of effects e.g. In a flashback to Cameron’s wife and
him sitting together in the park we added the dream filter (shown below) which made it appear as though it
was a memory/ thought of his.
We were also able to add titles to our trailer therefore enhancing the trailer and it’s effect on the viewers

9. Here we have used an ambient
effect to give the effect of a hazy
atmosphere which is suggestive
of the doom and gloom and is
used whilst the disappearances
of girls are talked about.