Evaluation Question 4

How did you use media technologies in the construction

and research, planning and evaluation stages?

ConstructioniMovie

iMovie is a video editing software application, which allows the user to import

and edit video footage. The user can edit the photos and video clips and add titles, music, and effects, including basic colour correction and video enhancement tools and transitions such as fades and slides.

iMovie played a key role in the construction of my product. I was able to input the

videos I recorded on my camera to it in order to edit and manipulate the footage. It also allowed me input text and create clips

with images.Initially I found iMovie hard to get my head around, as it was the first time I had used this technology, but through a process of

trial and error I begun to familiarise myself with key functions within the programme. I

enjoyed learning how to use different aspects of iMovie such as editing the colours of the clips, as well as using

transitions to create an authentic trailer.

Adobe PhotoshopPhotoshop is a graphics editing

programme, which allows the user to import images and manipulate them to create unique designs. It includes tools

such as cropping, drawing, painting, selection, typing and retouching.

I used Photoshop in various ways such as creating my mood board, poster and

magazine front cover. I was already fairly familiar with the functions of Photoshop, as I used it during the AS part of the course,

however I experimented with new functions within the programme such as cutting

certain parts of images and blurring the edges in order to create a natural, unedited

look.

Whilst creating my poster, I took inspiration from other documentary posters such as Supersize Me and used similar editing techniques within Photoshop such as cutting the close-up image of my talent onto a white background, for a striking effect.

ConstructionLogic Express

Logic Express is a digital audio workstation software, used for inputting and editing

various music clips and sounds. The user is able to input their own sounds using the

software instruments, as well as cut and edit existing audio tracks.

I used Logic Express during the process of editing the song, ‘Material Girls’ for my trailer, in order to make it shorter and

include more choruses, as this is the part of the song which would be most recognisable

to the audience, therefore most likely to attract their attention and give them a feel

for what the documentary is about.I was already fairly familiar with the

functions of Logic, therefore the process of cutting the music was fairly straightforward.

It was important to be very precise with where I cut the song, as I did not want their to be a noticeable cut-point as this would ruin the flow of the trailer and sound unprofessional . I chose to make the song fade out at the end, as this is common within trailers, and meant I did not have to edit the end of the song into the music.

iTunesiTunes is a media player and media

library application used to play, download, and organise digital audio and videos onto personal computers.I used iTunes to download the song ‘Material Girls’ which I used in my trailer. This application allowed me make a quick, easy download onto my laptop, which I then imported

straight into Logic to complete the editing process.

PowerpointPowerpoint is a programme which allows its user to create personal and interactive presentations.I used this software during the research, planning and evaluation stages of my project.

ResearchI used Powerpoint in order to

research and analyse how existing media texts use

conventions of film/documentary posters. (

Sweeney Todd ). I found Powerpoint to be a very useful tool in presenting my findings in an easy and accessible way,

as I am able to go back and review my ideas during the process of making my own

poster.

PlanningI made a Powerpoint

presentation during the process of planning my institutional context. It helped to present my

findings and ideas in an organised way which

allowed myself and anyone else viewing my blog to

understand my ideas in a simple, easy format.

EvaluationPowerpoint was an effective software in the evaluation process, as I was able to

review my work in an eye-catching, organised layout, putting my views and points

straight across to the audience in a simple,

coherent way.

SlideRocket

Slide rocket is an online presentation platform that lets users create, manage, share and measure presentations. It has been extremely useful in the research, planning and evaluation processes of my project, as it allowed me to put all my powerpoints onto my blog in an easy and accessible way for people to view my work. Without SlideRocket, I would have had to find another platform to present my Powerpoints on, or use a different method of presentation completely. It is simple and easy to use, as you import your presentation straight to the website from your computer then paste the html link onto your blog.

Word

Microsoft Word is a word processor which allows the user to input text as well as images. I found it to be a useful tool in the research side, as I was able to annotate images such as the Sight & Sound magazine analysis with ease, using arrows to highlight specific parts of the magazine. I also used it when annotating the Supersize Me poster, as I was able to pick an eye-catching colour scheme which made the analysis more appealing to read, and something I was able to refer back to with ease, when designing my own poster.

Survey MonkeySurvey Monkey is an online software which allows its users to create an online survey. I used this website during the research process, as I created the survey to find out more about my focus group and their interest. I then was able to have these preferences and attitudes in mind when creating my products, and based them around what my focus group wanted, and how they consume media. I found it to be simple and easy to use, and it gave me an easy way of reviewing the results of my survey so I could use them to my advantage.

Google DocsGoogle Docs is a web-based

office suite by Google, which allows its users to create and edit documents online. In this case, I used it to research and

create an audience feedback survey in order to

review what my focus group thought of my final products. I

was also able to use this information whilst evaluating my

product, as it gave me a simple layout of the results, and

constructive criticisms of things I could change to improve my

project.

iPhotoiPhoto is a digital photograph manipulation software application, which allows its users to import photos from most digital cameras, as well as from other sources such as the internet, and edit them using effects such as crop, retouch and saturation.I used this software in the construction process of my work, by uploading photos I had taken in changing rooms, and editing them in various ways such as intensifying the colours, and removing any flaws in the photos. iPhoto is an easy software to use, and has an interesting range of colour manipulation effects.

Google MapsGoogle Maps is a web-mapping service application by Google,

that allows its users to find specific places in the world and pinpoint particular addresses. I

used this application when mapping places I had filmed

such as Southend High Street. I also used it for planning when I

was thinking about other locations I needed to film at. I

found it to be a straightforward and accessible software which

gave accurate coordinates of locations I had filmed at.