Evaluation Question 4- How did you use new media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages?

Hardware:

Computer

Construction: The computer was mainly used to store our filmed footage.

Research: The computer was used constantly through the research stage as we needed to use the software on the computer such as the internet to research for our products.

Planning: The computer was mainly used to access editing software, the internet and word processors to create schedules.

Evaluation: The computer was mainly used to access software for our evaluation.

Steadicam

Construction: When filming the Steadicam was vital to achieving movement in our shots. When used it allowed for steady tracking of actors giving an almost ghostly presence to the audience viewing from the camera’s perspective. As well as this it provides a dream like quality to the image when film due to a feeling of weightlessness to character. This was crucial to establishing the idea that the narrative aspect of our video was a flashback and being revisited by our artists during his performance.

Research: When researching shot types and camera movement we used to the Steadicam for test shots. The results of the test shots influence our decision in using as the primary creator of camera movement in our music video.

Planning: When planning we had to take into account the Steadicam as we would have to arrange a time for us to book it out of school as well as incorporate it in our risk assessment. The Steadicam also influenced our scheduling as we understood that a Steadicam shot took longer to rehearse and execute than the other static shots. Hence why we

decided to place these shots as priority in our scheduling, allowing an appropriate amount of time to complete each shot.

Evaluation: The Steadicam was not used for the evaluation process.

Lighting

Construction: When filming lighting played a fundamental part in setting a mood and atmosphere for both the narrative and performance aspects. We used a three-point-l ighting kit with soft boxes to ensure shadows where not harsh on actors faces. We also used fairly lights to heighten the romantic element of a moment within our music video. As well as this it allowed us to help track our characters development within the music video. This is shown as the lighting is very bright and natural at start to match the actors mood and performance but becomes darker towards the end when the characters are least happy. For the performance aspects our lighting helped to convey a sense of our artists identity as he performs in an empty, dimly lit pub in brick lane. We wanted to incorporate a stage light, similar to one found in Jake Bugg’s video “Broken”. One light helped to achieve this and another light with a soft box allowed us to create a darer more sombre tone in the performance. The simple lighting helps our artist be seen as humble and local as the lighting is less pronounced and does not draw attention leaving our audience to focus and identify with our artist.

Research: We researched three-point-lighting systems as well as other lighting options. We practiced with the lighting kit and produced test footage to see if it would work for our video. These test results helped us conclude the type of lighting we wanted for our final music video production.

Planning: When planning we had to take into account the time it would take to set up lights as well as packing them away. This influenced our schedule as we had to allow ourselves time to do these important actions. As well as this we had to plan a way of safely transporting the lighting kit after booking it from the school.

Evaluation: The lighting kit was not used to complete our evaluation.

Tripod

Construction: The tripod was used quite infrequently as we knew we didn’t want many stills throughout the video. We wanted to keep the sense that the camera was natural and free to move, However we chose to use it for a few shots in the opening a s well as the closing shot. We chose to do this as we wanted a final image of stability to convey the couples hopeful attempt at a stable relationship. We also used a tripod when taking the photo for our promotional poster. We needed the framing to be precise and for the image to be sharp with no blur hence the use of the tripod to complete the photo effectively.

Research: We already knew how to use tripods and their effects so we didn’t have to incorporate the tripod a lot during our research. However at one point we filmed ourselves discussing topics and genre codes that we had researched. To film this we used a tripod.

Planning: When planning we had to incorporate the tripod on our check list of things not to forget and also find a suitable time to book it from the school.

Evaluation: The tripod was not used in our evaluation.

Camera/Lenses

Construction: The camera was the most important instrument during the construction of all our products. We used it to capture all the images, as well as this the camera being a DSLR allowed us great flexibility when filming. We used a Canon 600d and chose to record at the highest quality resolution (1080p). The camera allowed us to change the ISO, shutter speed, f-stop and several other image altering settings, allowing us to fine tune each shot to our liking. We also used various different lenses for different effects. We used a Canon 50mm 1.8 lens to capture many of the profile and close up shots due to its ability to capture fine detail and shallow depth of field creating images with a dream like quality. We also used an wide Opteka lens for establishing shots (such as when the two are sitting in front of the shut). This lens allowed use to capture the landscape and stretching coast line to highlight the romance of the occasion as well as the detachment from the performance in the urban brick lane setting. It also allowed us to take an extremely high quality photograph for our promotional poster due to its 18MP sensor.

Research: When researching for our music video we noted that the video’s production value would be greatly increased with the use of a semi-professional camera and quality lenses that was with the Canon 600d.We found that his was the best camera available for our video and began to practice getting to grips with the camera’s vast functions.

Planning: When planning we had to centre most of risk assessment on the camera as it was the key component in the creation of all our tasks. As well as this we had to ensure that It was kept safe at all times especially from the

weather. This informed our decisions of what days to go an shoot. We preferably choose a sunny day for the camera’s safety.

Evaluation: The camera was not used for our evaluation.

Generator

Construction: When filming the narrative aspects of the film we needed power to fuel the lights as well as the camera charger if need be. The generator supplied this electricity allowing us to use the lighting for its creative purposes as well as charge the spare battery.

Research: We knew through research that our location would not have electricity and began researching portable power systems. We understood that the school used a generator on a regular basis and enquired about this with positive results.

Planning: When planning the generator played a big part in organising transportation. This was due to use needing a vehicle with enough space to carry all our actors and equipment to the location over 50 miles away and back again. We also had to plan where to place it as not to disrupt the general public’s pathway.

Evaluation: The generator was not used in my evaluation.

SD Card

Construction: When filming all the footage we understood that storing the footage safely was paramount. The Canon 600D records on SD cards however we chose to use 32gb and 18gb class 10 cards with 45mps (megabytes per second) transfer speed as to ensure they would not crash and be able to upload to a computer quickly if need be. When taking the photo for our promotional poster we also saved the image to the SD card.

Research: We knew that the camera recorded on an SD card , however we had to research which types of SD cars worked best and allowed the camera to function properly. We learned about transfer rates and class types helping us to make an informed decision on which SD cards to use.

Planning: We had to plan who would take responsibility for uploading the footage to a computer and who would keep the SD cards safe between shooting days.

Evaluation: SD cards where not used in my evaluation.

Software

AdobePremiereProConstruction: Premiere Pro was pivotal to the construction stage our music video as after we had shot the footage we edited it together within the program. Due to it being professional editing software, this allowed us several opportunities during the editing phase. We could easily rearrange the footage as well as swap

ping out different takes of an angle. The ease of the editing process allowed us to compile the footage extremely quickly. As well as this premiere pro had colour grading options built within the programme. This meant we could tailor the look very specifically, allowing us to extenuate the more warmer tones such as oranges and yellow for the narrative sections and create richer browns and blacks for the performance aspect of our video. This ultimately would help our audience identify more easily with our artist’s state of mind as in both a state of reflection and regret. As well as grading software Premiere Pro contained with it various texts for titles. This allowed us to test out various different fonts which would convey our artist’s identity before deciding on a specific one. Premiere Pro also helped in the construction of our digipak. As we wanted to have a synergy and consistency of our artist’s identity we chose to use stills from the music video to be used on our Digipak. For this we used premiere pro, capturing still frames from our timeline within the programme and then importing them into Photoshop to be edited.

Research: When researching how to use Premiere Pro we would often try out rough cuts in the programme to get to grips with its more sophisticated functions such as key framing.

Planning: We did not use Premiere Pro in the planning stage.

Evaluation: We did not use Premiere Pro in evaluation stage.

Photoshop

Construction: When creating our promotional materials (The Digipak and Poster) Photoshop was used throughout. It’s wide range of fun

ctions and tools meant manipulating photos and text allowed for our creativity to be fulfilled. For example we wanted our reviews to be incorporated within the environment our artist was in. Through the text, skew and liquefying tool in Photoshop we were able to convincingly place graffiti on the wall in our promotional poster as well as chalk on a board as the reviews. This both conveyed our artist’s urban identity as well as fulfilling our initial idea of synergy between the reviews and our artists environment.

Research: We did not use Photoshop during the research stage

Planning: We did not use Photoshop during the planning stage

Evaluation: I used Photoshop when creating the 9 pane image for the first question in the evaluation.

Scribd

Construction: When filming we’d resort back to some of the Scribd documents we’d uploaded on our blog such as our risk assessment.

Research: During the research phase, we used Scribd to embed important documents into our blog. For example we used it to showcase our music video treatment from which we gained vital feedback form both our teachers and classmates which ultimately effects decisions in regards to our artist and music video.

Planning: When planning we used Scribd to embed our risk assessment.

Evaluation: During the evaluation I used Scribd to embed several of my complete tasks on the blog.

SoundCloud

Construction: We didn’t use sound cloud during the construction period.

Research: When compiling our research and showing it to our teacher, he would give us feedback on our research via SoundCloud. This meant a much easier way for us to listen to the feedback. As we could re-listen to our teachers feedback, it allowed us to make note of specific items of advice regarding actors, location and style, informing the creation of our final video and promotional package.

Planning: In the planning stage we didn’t use SoundCloud.

Evaluation: SoundCloud was not used in the evaluation process.

Mybrainshark

Construction: MyBrianShark was not used in the construction phase.

Research: When researching narrative elements in Taylor Swift’s music video for everything has changed, I create a PowerPoint highlighting certain aspects such as shot types and lighting. I used MyBrainShark to upload th

e PowerPoint to my blog to garner teacher feedback and help pick items that would be relevant to my own music video.

Planning: MyBrianShark was not used in the construction phase.

Evaluation: MyBrianShark was used to answer an aspect of part 3 in the evaluation process.

Spiderscribe

Construction: In the construction of our artist’s identity, Spiderscribe was used to compile potential first and last names for our artist before deciding on “Jack Butler”.

Research: Spiderscribe was not used in the researching phase.

Planning: Spiderscribe was not used in the planning process.

Evaluation: Spiderscribe was used to answer an a

spect of part 3 in the evaluation process.

Youtube

Construction: Youtube was not used in the construction phase.

Research: When researching other music videos we watched them on youtube to find out the codes and con

ventions within our genre.

Planning: Youtube was not used in the planning process.

Evaluation: Youtube was used to gather screenshots from other music videos when creating the 9 panes in part 1 of the evaluation.

Wordle

Construction: Wordle was not used in the researching phase

Research: Wordle was not used in the researching phase.

Planning: Wordle was not used

in the planning process.

Evaluation: Wordle was used to answer an aspect of part 3 in the evaluation process.

Wordpress

WordPress was used as our blog where we compiled all our posts about the creation of all our work. This allowed for feedback to be given to us as the information was easily accessible.

Castingcallpro

We used this online community to source actors for our music video.