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

Research and planning

BloggerI used blogger which was the most necessary media technology throughout the whole process as it allowed me to store all of my research, planning and construction of my video and ancillary tasks. I believe that blogger is one of the best ways to record all information and data as it’s easy to use and it’s also useful to look back on my previous posts to help me when it comes to each stage of producing my music video by looking back on audience feedback and how I can adapt that to my media products.

Google

I mainly used the search engine ‘Google’ in the research stage as this enabled me to gain a good understanding of my chosen genre Pop. There are so many links to different websites which were useful when I needed to research existing pop music videos and research my target audience. I was able to grasp a lot of information about what the genre entails and which artists are in this category of music. I also used Google images to find various posters and digi paks to give me inspiration and an understanding of the conventions of my genre. Once I had the knowledge of which artists and bands were under this genre I then went onto the media platform YouTube to watch their music videos. I did this is so I could acquire ideas and innovation of what features in a typical pop music video this would then help me for when it came to planning my music video. For example, which type of actor to use, props, costumes and colours?

YouTube

I also used YouTube to access different pop music videos which I then analysed as part of my research stage. This helped me understand the conventions of pop music videos which I could then adapt onto my product. I also used YouTube to upload drafts of my music video to receive audience feedback on their opinions of my video at that current stage. My audience were able to watch my video and give their own constructive criticism to help me improve my music video.

Social network sites

I also used a variety of social networking sites as a useful and accessible media platform to receive my audience feedback. These sites included ‘Facebook’ and ‘Whattsap’. I was able to use these media platforms to ask questions about my products to receive useful feedback to make my products better and more sufficient for my audience.

WORDLE As part of the planning stage of producing my music video I created a mood board on the site ‘Wordle’. On this site I typed all of the words which were conventions of a Pop music video.

PowerPoint and word

I also used Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Word to create mind maps and create templates for my story board and risk assessments. This enabled me to construct my work easily and in a professional manner. I also used PowerPoint to create pie charts from my audience feedback, this allowed me to review my data easily.

construction

ADOBE PREMIERE PRO CS4

One of the main media technologies which I used to construct my music video was the editing software ‘Adobe Premiere Pro CS4’. I did feel like it took some to achieve a good understanding on how to use this software as at first it’s quite difficult to get your head around due to the many options and affects you can use to ensure that your video is at the highest quality possible. However, after week or so on working on my music video it became much easier and now I feel like I can use the software without any problems. There are a variety of different effects and transitions you can use on your video which is fun to explore and it’s amazing on how many different types there are. I added various video transitions on my video including the ‘slide’ effect which I used for the chorus. I used the ‘dip to white’ transition which linked well to the scene that followed as it was a black and white video effect. This video effect made this part of my music video have a different atmosphere as we see the couple in a different light as they are happy and enjoying themselves in their relationship. However, the use of the black and white colours connotes the sadness of those memories as they are no longer in a happy relationship. The use of this effect makes the video more effective and eye catching towards the audience. I also used the slow motion effect when my artist is opening the doors holding the pictures of her and her boyfriend in the very last few scenes of the video. I felt that this was an interesting and enticing video effect as it makes the audience intrigued to know what she is going to do with the pictures and the slowed motion effect creates tension and suspense for the audience.

photoshop

I used this software to produce both my digi pak and poster advertisement. I already had previous knowledge of using Photoshop as it is the software which I used to construct my music magazine for my coursework at AS. As I was already aware and had knowledge of Photoshop I was able to use this effectively. Whilst working on my ancillary tasks I was able to use layering techniques, colour effects such as ‘screen’ to create the background effect of my products and the ‘magic wand tool’ for the images used throughout the products.

CAMERA

When I developed my music video I used the Cannon 600 D. This camera was very efficient, it allowed me to film in high quality and as it was digital it enabled me to look back on my clips so I could ensure that my filming turned out to how it wanted it. I also used a tripod to take shots in certain angles.

Survey monkey

During both the research, planning and construction stage I used the media platform survey monkey to receive audience feedback. This platform allowed me to produce questionnaires online where I could then send to my intended target audience to receive useful feedback on my music video and ancillary tasks. This type of technology enabled me to construct my surveys and receive the data easily and quickly.

EVALUATION

PREZI

I used the media platform Prezi to present one of my evaluation questions. This is a popular media technology platform for people to present their ideas online. It is more fun and enticing to look at work rather than heaps of text of information which can become boring. I was familiar with this media site so I found it easy to construct and use. I was able to upload a number of images to put on my Prezi presentation to make it intriguing and entertaining. I then was able to embed this onto my blog enable to view my Prezi presentation.

MOVIE MAKER

I also used windows movie maker to present another one of my questions. On movie maker I was able to use text to present my information for the question and also images to back up my points. This is also a more interesting way to present my work because of the different effects and transitions to make my evaluation question more fun. Once I finished creating my video on movie maker I then uploaded it to YouTube so it could then share it on my blog. Using YouTube allowed me to present my work in an interesting and interactive format.

SLIDE SHARE

Slide share is another media platform which I used to present my Slide share enabled me to upload power point presentations onto the media site which other users can view and search for on the internet. There are thousands of slide share presentations all over the internet and there are useful for other students who need help with their media coursework. It’s an easy media technology to use and allowed me to present my evaluation question in a unique and absorbing way.