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

1. How did you use new
media technologies in the
construction and
research, planning and
evaluation stages?
Sophie Dixon
The only digital equipment we used was
the Canon 80D and a phone. (reflector,
tripod and shoulder mount as well
however they are not digital).
The camera was very important in
allowing the filming day to go ahead.
There was specific bits of the teaser trailer
that we cut out due to the time pressures
such as the notice board scene, shown in
the storyboard. However we feel as though
the final product looks successful as we
added in other ‘simplistic’ shots such as
the handprint on the tree, with dripping
blood which added to the rising tensions
reflecting our themes of mystery and
death.
Filming Day Introduction

2. Software- Final Cut Pro
Final cut pro is a piece of software that i predominantly used in
post production; editing not only my main teaser trailer but an
animatic. This was only used for the production of my video
rather than Magazine Front cover and Poster.
The first part of the research and planning included creating a
Storyboard Animatic. This was my first time using Final Cut Pro X
this year and i inserted, resized and cut together shots of the
storyboard- the basic skills i carried over from AS level.
Before the production filming day, we decided that we wanted to
create a match on action shot. We used Final Cut Pro X to edit the
mid shot and close up shots together to create this match on
action, allowing continuity. This used skills of cutting clips down
to the correct length.
The opening low angle tracking shot was more shaky than all of
the other shots we filmed as we used the shoulder mount for the
first time, finding it difficult. However on Final Cut pro we used
the stabilization function to reduce the effect. The end result was
a lot more effective. This is something we had never used before.
Post Production

3. Final Cut- Continued
In Final Cut Pro i had to overcome many issues of never
using the software in this advanced manner before. I
already knew how to insert clips at the beginning of the post
production stage and i learnt more advanced techniques
such as using the blade tool to accurately match the sound
to the visuals (for example the non diegetic ticking sound to
the 3 montage shots in the middle of the sequence), adding
flash transitions in order to fit with conventions of the
crime thriller genre (within the dialogue police investigation
sequence) and layering dialogue of ‘innocence’ at the ending
of the trailer (this repetition allowing the audience to
question her honesty).
Colour grading was another advance technique we used,
colour correcting clips in order for them to reflect the crime
thriller genre.
Lastly, the use of Keyframes was an advanced level skill used
when creating the idents. The simple idea behind the ident
(zooming in from a black screen) had to be created uses 2-3
keyframes.
Flash
Post Production

4. Software- Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop was very important for the magazine front
cover and film poster production.
Magazine Front Cover- There was some issues that
we as a team had to overcome. One included the way
the photograph for this main piece was shot. The hair
of ‘Mia’ was difficult to edit around without making it
obvious it had been photoshopped. We used the
magic eraser tool and after zooming in and using our
time wisely we made it look professional. This is the
same with the mugshot board and editing the hands.
We enlarged the black shape and layered it over the
top. Learning these skills has developed my
techniques for Adobe software in general.
Post Production

5. Digital- Computer
The computers were a key part of my production
process. I used different softwares on a Apple iMac
and PC. The difference between these devices is
significant but i used both in different ways. All of the
post production and production process was
conducted on the Macs as this is where is Final Cut
Pro X and Adobe Softwares were used. The system of
an Apple Mac became more familiar to me as we
went on.
A lot of the planning research was created on a PC,
using online powerpoint and creating slideshares.
However both systems were similar.
The main softwares used for post production; Final
Cut Pro x, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and
Garageband used on here.
Post Production,
Planning

6. Digital- Camera
We used the Canon 80-D to film. This camera has a lot of technical capabilities so we put
them to the test on the filming day. Firstly we manually changed the focal length,
‘zooming’ in. It was imperative for Mia, the main protagonist to be in focus at all times
as her importance to the narrative was paramount to portray to an audience. For the
mid shot at the beginning of the piece we used shallow depth field to reinforce her
authority.
In addition we locked in the exposure when moving from each location helping to create
continuity. This was especially important with the external scenes because the natural
light was constantly changing and the police investigation scene where the spotlight let
too much light in. Because of this advanced camera, controlling exposure was easier.
The touch screen made it easier to auto-focus (by touching the screen) when we were
tracking the character. For the low angle shot of Mia, looking up at her, this was
important because we chose to create shallow depth a field, the woodland behind being
blurred.
This camera created a high quality image and we used the flip out screen when filming at
challenging angles such as the close up shot tracking Mia’s feet. As the cinematographer
had to place the camera lower down it was important to see the image on the flip screen,
ALL: Production Day Locking exposure button
Flip out screen

7. IMAGES- the draft images we took using the Canon
80d We also used the Canon 80D for
the Film Poster and Magazine
Front Cover images. We ensured
the image was in focus and well
lit. Looking at the exposure and
framing on the camera helped us
to create a good photo.

8. Software-
GaragebandI learnt the most on Garageband and had the
most productive journey. Starting by creating
a draft, importing free sound into
garageband. The video i created explains
more technically. The idea of garageband is
completely liberating in the sense you have
the freedom to add any external sound (from
freesound) as well as original sound (from the
keyboard which is what i did).
We learnt how to overlay preset loops to
create a longer sound to match our images.
Overall this project has developed my skills,
from hardly knowing how to use it a the
beginning of A2.
Post
Production

9. Digital- Phone
My phone was an important piece of equipment through the whole
process; i used it to take photos for the location recce. This was
important so we knew the capabilities of our filming.
On the filming day we didn't have access to the computers; which is
where i previously was sourcing tutorials for the Camera and real life
media examples. For reference we needed to look these examples
e.g. The Girl on the Train to see her facial expressions, especially
when taking the photos for the magazine front cover and film poster.
I then did this with my mobile phone.
In addition i used the mic on phone not only to record the voiceover
for evaluation question 2, but the dialogue for the animatic (in the
research and planning stage). When i was creating the soundtrack for
the piece i recorded the garage band sound so me and my group
could constantly refer back to it no matter what task we were
rotating on from. It had a lot of usage.
ALL

10. Phone-
Continued
Also i recorded some real life sound on
filming day such as the wind and
rustling leaves. This allowed us to add
some realism to the piece and vary the
soundscape
I used a phone as it is a versatile piece
of equipment. The smartphone
microphone is good enough rather than
having to record on a professional
microphone. The modern day phone
had multiple uses for me and my group
over planning, production and post
production.
For practical and health/safety reasons
we used our phone to contact our
teachers and members of the group in
case of an emergency.
Animatic

11. Software- Adobe Illustrator
For me, i felt as though this piece of software was the most
challenging to use as it is a piece of software that i wasn't
familiar with at all before this project started. I had to adjust my
skills from Adobe Photoshop because the tools were different.
Before we created the main magazine front cover, we created
drafts of both the magazine front cover and poster and at this
stage is when i learnt most about Illustrator. I used the gradient
tool and the eraser to create a vignette background for the draft.
This was challenging but using youtube tutorials helped me
develop the skills needed to assist merrie making the main
magazine front cover piece.
We added in text using the text tool (this was important for the
coverlines), adjusting layers to make sure all of the images were
in the correct place and adding in specific shapes (when creating
the circular pugs)
Post Production
My Draft-

12. Software- Prezi
This was a piece of software that i found
extremely useful to use in the research and
planning stage. Before i started creating this
promotional campaign i wasn't too familiar with
prezis functions and default layouts. The more i
have used it the easier it has become. The
research presentations i have created with it
include; Audience, Sound, Lighting etc. I
ensured i chose an appropriate default layout
that linked to the specific research to make it
presentable.
Overall It was an uncomplicated piece of
software. I learnt the functions as i went along
such as the text tool and embedding youtube
videos. I found this very helpful.
Post Production
and Research

13. Software- Microsoft Word
I used word for the research
and planning stage,
presenting; the script,
gathering research and
lighting research. It gave me
the possibility to write notes
when completing the textual
analysis of Se7en. This aided
with my time management
and presentation skills.
Research and Planning
SCRIPT- (Word imported to slideshare)

14. Software- Microsoft Powerpoint
Powerpoint is an ‘easy to understand’ layout and i am familiar
with it. I chose to use it for a lot of my research as it looks very
presentable and ‘neat’.
I uploaded the powerpoint presentation to slideshare so i was
able to embed it into my journal. This allowed me to be visual..
The flexibility of using this platform meant that for more text
related presentations was possible. For example the pitch, group
genre tasks, billing block research, images of filming day (looked
more organised and i could add in a caption describing what
occurred),title research, ident research, poster inspirations and
remakes, my test shots, sound, magazine research etc.
Because of using online powerpoint in some cases it made it
more difficult to use transitions but i ensured i explored the font
and colours to engage the audience especially for the ones i
presented to a class/ target audience e.g. The Pitch presentation.
For this current powerpoint i am creating i have looked into the
transitions . I have linked youtube videos into my powerpoints so
it is easy to navigate what i show my audience for example with
my pitch presentation and research of the real media se7en.
Post Production and Research and Planning

15. Software-
Youtube
● Youtube was a very important in the whole process of producing my 3 marketing
pieces. I used it not only to upload my rough cut and final cut but to look at real life
media examples. As well as uploading the final and rough cut i created my own
process video for the first draft of garage band sound and uploaded it here.
● In the research and planning process i used youtube to develop my skills and
technical ability using tutorials for sound development. This taught me how to
create the muffle for the headphone in Garageband (at the beginning of the teaser
trailer). These tutorials made me more familiar with not only Garageband but the
adobe and final cut softwares so i could advance my piece. Other tutorials i used
for Suspects Development include; creating a gradient in photoshop, using
keyframes in Final Cut Pro x, how to colour grade in Final Cut Pro etc.
● This software helped me overcome challenges and issues with particularly post
production.
● I looked up different teaser trailers such as Zodiac, Inception, The Girl with a
dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl, Pitch Perfect (all different genres) and used the embed
code to embed them into my journal as well as Prezi’s.
● Youtube is a piece of software that i am very familiar with and found it easy to use.
ALL: Post Production and Research and Planning

16. Software- Onedrive
This was an important document management tool
used for the whole of our group to stay connected.
We used onedrive to easily share documents such as
our script, group production meetings, group genre
project and pitch presentations. All having access to
these made the group production planning a lot
more manageable. Our group we able to edit a single
document at the same time, helping with time
management.
However i didn't use it for my individual research as
it difficult to keep track of all documents and embed
them into my Mahara Journal.
Research and
Planning

17. Internet
Some additional websites i used were:
1. Freesound- To download diegetic and nondiegetic sounds from to build up
in my garageband files.
2. Online Storyboard animator- to start the basis of our storyboard however
because our ideas were ‘complicated’ so felt as though it would be easier to
sketch our designs.
3. Survey Monkey- For my Primary audience research i used this to create my
own questionnaire.
4. Imdb, Pearl and Dean, Box office Mojo- these are websites i used for the
secondary audience research.

18. What was the most challenging and rewarding to use/learn?
1. From a personal perspective i felt as though garageband was the most rewarding piece of
software because in my opinion sound is of paramount importance for video production in
order to receive an emotive response. We needed the audience to connect with Mia Carter.
2. Final Cut Pro X was also another very rewarding piece of software as these skills are
something that i can continue to develop and the majority of my skills learnt were on this
software; the teaser trailer being what we planned mostly for e.g. storyboards, risk
assessments etc.
3. The hardest to use was Adobe Illustrator as i was unfamiliar with it. The layout confused me
but working with my group allowed me to understand better.
Overall the use of new digital technology helped me advance my skills and create further success in
portraying character, narrative and genre for my video production as well as my allowing me to
create consistency (following conventions) over the print media.