Question 4

Danielle Bufton

Research Stage: Video

For my research stage I used Google and Media 2.0 to establish the conventions of the genre I have chosen. Through this research I discovered the face-paint and typical medium shots used in the alternative genre. I used videos from Florence and The Machine, Biffy Clyro and Birdy (screenshots shown above). The conventions I discovered helped me create my print products and music video, as I could mimic common themes such as dark colour schemes, dim natural lighting and nature imagery.

Without the use of the internet I would of not been able to research sufficiently into the genre and then I would of not picked out the importance of being entropic in my music video or posters.

I used PowerPoint to create a pitch that I

could use to get feedback and I used voice

recorder to record the audience feedback. I

also used the social network Facebook.

Both of these allowed me to get an idea of

what my target audience wanted and this

helped me to adapt my ideas at different

times in the process. I decided I wanted an

active audience during the planning stage.

Research Stage: Print

I created a Facebook group for my media products where I could receive feedback on ideas. This allowed me to change the products as others saw fit as well as myself. I found it very interesting to see people’s response to my work and offer constructive criticism in order to improve it before I made the final copy. The image to the left shows my first draft for my digipak and due to feedback I was able to improve my print product and produce my final draft.This direct feedback has been very useful in my media coursework overall.

When I was completing this stage of my work I used different pictures from google, this way I could see previous versions of Florence and the Machines work and any common themes or house styles used in each. I also usedThis took work out various types of Typography and imagery on the coversthat I could use on mine.

Planning Stage

In the planning stage I used a different range of

technologies. I used timetoast and in order to

organise the dates for my print and video production.

This helped me a lot because it allowed me to allocate

time and stick to a particular schedule for my work.

Another technologie I used was Adobe Photoshop I used this to practice different

effects on images I’d already taken to see which one might suite my photo the best. I

also practiced using the magnetic lasso tool and the feather effect to making overlaying

images more realistic.

I also practiced using Adober PremierPro to practice using different effects of lighting

as I knew with my final music video when filming I wouldn’t have access to as much

lighting as I would have wanted.

In this stage I also used a practice shoot of my dancer and used a panasonic HD video

camera. As well as this I went to my locations and took photos with a nikon d60, this

allowed me to use the photos when showing people my ideas and practice imagery for

my digipak.

Construction Stage

In this stage I used a Nikon D60 DSLR Camera, a Panasonic HD Video Camera and a

Samsung WB100 Bridge HD Camera. I used the Nikon to take photos I could use for my

digipak, in doing this is used the manual focus setting so that I had more control of the

final outcome, I also change the exposer of the camera as well as utilising the portrait

setting when taking a photo of my model.

When using the Panasonic HD and Samsung HD I used auto focus as I wanted it to be

shot in the exact way you would see it if you were watching it live. I used the zoom effect

on both and this meant I could get more explorative angles and shots. Without the HD

camera I would have risked my work being pixellated and not looking professional.

Evaluation Stage

In the evaluation stage I used a variety of technologies.

For Question one I used Premier Pro to edit similar gifs

onto my music video. This showed where I got my

inspiration from and how I picked up on conventions of

my genre to create my final product. I also edited the

speed of certain clips to make the points I was making in

my narrative more clear. I also filmed reactions to my music

video where people answered a set of questions about things

they enjoyed and how I could have improved my piece for

Question 3. This allowed me to get feedback in the form of film which I edited together in

Premier Pro to create a short set of audience opinions. I also added a voice over

demonstrate how I put together my media pieces. It provided better sound quality

than the other videos so my voice over is prominent in the question.

For Question 2 I utilised Microsoft PowerPoint, where I put together a slideshow

highlighting colour theory, props/costumes and lighting. I found it easy to create on

this programme and I have finished with a professional looking slideshow.

Youtube allowed me to upload my final music video and embed it with ease into my blog.

It’s the best way to send my video to other people in order for them to feedback their

opinions to me.