Evaluation | What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? | Question 6

How did you record the process of your coursework electronically on your blog?

I used a variety of electronic presentations when recording my coursework on my blog. I used PowToon, Prezi and PowerPoint during my practice blogging, so I could see which programmes I enjoyed using the most so I could use them further on in my coursework. I decided I would continue to use Prezi and PowerPoint, as I believed they looked more exciting and professional. The first stage of planning my preliminary was to research camera angles. I took some photos of me experimenting with these angles and uploaded them to my computer, which I then went on to edit using Photoshop so I could compare them with similar shots used in films; these made my shots look more dynamic and interesting for someone looking at my blog. I also edited a quick video on Windows Moviemaker (which I later uploaded onto YouTube) of me trying out moving camera shots, as it would be hard to show that the camera was moving though screen shots, so it made my effort more exciting to watch; I also uploaded practice shots from my preliminary task, and added a YouTube video I found about using camera shots in a confrontational scene, as this was relevant to my production. I used both Prezi and PowerPoint when presenting case studies on thrillers as they allow me to include screen shots from films I am referencing, while Prezi also allows me to include YouTube clips to reinforce points and is an innovative way to view my work; I used Slide Share to upload my PowerPoints to my blog so they could be viewed online for ease of access.

(L-R) use of PowerPoint (Slide Share), YouTube and Prezi

How did you use technology to research your thriller production?

I used the internet a lot when researching thrillers, such as when I was using case studies; I went on YouTube to view specific clips which I could analyse in depth and take screen shot to reference certain points. I also used the internet (especially IMDb) to research information – such as directors, quotes and synopsis – for the thriller films I were studying, which I could incorporate in my case studies; I also looked at critics reviews from websites such as the Guardian and Rotten Tomatoes, which I also included in my case studies so to include more detail.

How did you use technology when planning your thriller production?

Technology was very important when planning my final thriller production, such as using a scanner to upload rough storyboards and character profiles I had written by hand onto my blog. My group also used a script writing website called Celtx, which allowed us to add to shot lists and story boards we had created online; this also allowed us to better communicate our ideas when we were not in class. When uploading initial ideas for our soundtrack, we used a music playing device Soundcloud which would allow our edited soundtrack to be played on our blogs. I used PowerPoint to show our shot lists and storyboards as it allowed me to used stills of our filming which we had uploaded from our digital camera; this made them more accurate and true to the final edit, as well as allowing us to get an idea of how everything will look so we can change certain aspects (such as the lighting, which in our case was too dark).

(L-R) use of the scanner, Celtx, Soundcloud and PowerPoint (Slide Share)

Evaluation | What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? | Question 6

How did you use technology to collaborate with other members of your group during production?

As well as using Celtx to communicate ideas during planning, we also had a Facebook group which we regularly spoke on, which allowed us to be sure on what times we would be shooting and what each individual would need to bring. We also messaged each other on mobile phones to arrange meetings and emailed each other with scripts and photos of the shoot on our school email accounts. It was important that we kept well in contact when filming to improve efficiency and reduce time wasting which could have been spent filming, as well as resulting in the best possible shoot.

(L-R) communicating through Celtx, Facebook and emails

How did you use technology during the shoot of your production?

The use of a digital camera during the shoot of our production was important as it allowed us to review the footage we had just filmed, so we knew if we had to reshoot a certain scene; for example, when Victor was walking down the alleyway, the camera stabiliser was making too much noise and was moving to much on the uneven surface, so by reviewing our footage, we found out that we had to reshoot, which saved time and improved efficiency. We also used a sound boom and recorder to record clean sound with minimal background ambience (such as wind) to make the footage higher quality. The two cameras we used were also of a high quality: Sony RX100 and Canon 1100D.

How did you use specific editing effects to enhance the quality and creativity of your film?

I used a variety of editing techniques to enhance the quality of my final edit. The timeline along the bottom of my editing software (Adobe Premiere Elements) allowed me to cut and alter the length of my footage to make the pace flow better, and also edit the clips themselves using the ‘snip’ tool. For example, I altered the colour of my footage so I could change the atmosphere of the clips; for example, I made Victor black and white to reinforce the noir credentials of the film, while also injecting the mise-en-scene with a sense of nightmare and illusion, amplifying the sense of menace. I gave Bryony, our victim, a red tint to connote fear and anger of being trapped; the coloured shots also add variety and to highlight her role as the victim, as she has colour and emotion, while Victor has neither. I used lots of dip to black throughout my edit, as it links to the theme of going into the unknown, while the black links to the film noir genre; I also used fades, which could be found in the transition toolbox. I edited the size and font of my text to make it look more sophisticated and appropriate to the thriller genre, therefore making my opening titles more dynamic and realistic, which was achieved using the text toolbox. We edited the soundtrack on Audacity from multiple royalty free tracks we found online, which we then uploaded onto our editing software. Finally, I altered the time stretch of some of my clips, experimenting with slow motion to build the tension and anticipation of my production using the ‘time lapse’ tool.

(L-R) editing timeline, colour alteration, transitions and font/typeface choice