1. Evaluation Question 6
What have you learnt about
technologies from the process
of constructing this product ?
2. What did I learn ?
Throughout the duration of AS Media I have discovered and learnt a wide range of skills and programme’s.
During the process of planning filming and editing the opening film sequence I have learnt how to use many
things such as different computer programmes when editing, why equipment should be used when filming,
how to use equipment when filming and how to use sites such as blogger when planning and researching
for the opening sequence. Without this wide range of technologies it would not have been possible to
create a successful opening film sequence.
3. HD Video Camera
When filming the opening sequence of our film Inhumane it was was the second time I had used the video camera. This first
time was when I filmed the preliminary task. As I had no previous knowledge and no member in my group did either so it was
quite tricky to figure out. This meant that I had to learn how to use all elements of the camera and its functions like were
the record button was and how to put the grids on the camera so I could see what frames things were in. However because
the HD camera’s are small and compact all the buttons are quite close together so it can be quite fiddly to use.
Now I have more of an understanding why in the film industry film makers tend to use larger professional cameras as the
buttons are not as close together therefore they can use each function easily. However in this case the HD camera was
benefital to our group as it was small and light so we could carry it to various locations. Another thing I learnt was that the
white balance on these cameras are better than on the other digital video camera as the lens can focus on the scene easier
and this is due to the high definition element. Lastly I learnt how to use a memory card to save work on so when one scene
was finished we were able to edit them instead of trying to complete the whole thing at one time then edit. In order to
upload things onto the Macs I had to insert the memory card into a usb the plug the usb into the apple Mac.
A image displaying the camera they are liking A picture of the camera we used to film our
to use in the film industry when they are opening sequence
making a film
4. Tripod
Even though a tripod is not actually a form of technology it assisted me with the HD camera. In order for
the film to look good the camera needs to be steady at all times in order for this to be carried out a tripod
is needed, a tripod is another form of technology that I used for the first time. One thing I learnt to do with
the tripod was to look at the built in spirit level monitor to ensure that the HD camera was steady and not
at an angle this was important for the opening sequence as it added quality to all of the shots.
Between 21 seconds and 28 seconds in the preliminary At the beginning of first scene inhumane to the end of the first
task when I was filming the camera was quite shaky this scene of inhumane (around 29 seconds) it displays different
made the film look un processional and ammetur like angles and shots of the young boy. When I filmed this I used a
also it took away from the storyline as the audience will tripod and had a lot more experience of how to adjust it and tilt in
be wondering why the camera is all over the place. order to achieve numerous angles. This made the shots look more
professional as they were all steady and not shaky like in the
preliminary task.
5. Apple Mac
At home I have a dell laptop which is completely different from the imacs that are in the media
suite. It was my first time using the imac for film purposes as I had only used it to browse the
internet and for social networking use. I learnt that an imac has many extra features that enables a
film maker to produce an imaginative project/piece. An example of this would be imovie; imovie
enables footage to be edited and any of the footage to be cut (removed) if we didn’t feel it was up
to standard. I also learnt how to record sound clips straight to our film and how to add pre created
music. When adding music I learnt how to cut the music, make it louder or quieter, and when it
should start, fade in or fade out in certain scenes. With imovie titles can also be added and there
are various types to choose from depending on the style, size and colour you want. Another feature
of imovie is transitions, transitions can be put in place at any part of the opening sequence even if
it is such a black or white fade in this can help create an overall great film experience. This is one
of the most important tasks as it would help the group to achieve the final product and to create
our desired look. Whereas with a “normal” computer this cannot be carried out.
A picture of an imac; this is what I used
throughout the making of our opening
imovie symbol that is displayed sequence inhumane, and to do all
at the bottom of an imac research planning and blogging.
6. Apple Mac continued
However these software's have to be downloaded onto the computer in order to carry out these tasks but
it helps it look more professional. An imac also has features on the software that come with it one of these
is a screen grab. A screen grab is a little bit like a print screen on your average computer however
instead of displaying the whole page you can select what you want to copy/take a picture of. This
automatically saves to the desktop. I found this extremely useful as a could analyze elements of films in
order to carry out effective research and planning for my own opening film sequence.
This picture shows all the
screen grabs I have saved
on to the desk top on my
account.
7. Digital Camera & Web Camera
Digital Camera
Although I have used a digital camera before to take pictures for special occasions/events I usually upload them using
a usb however with the schools digital camera I learnt how to take pictures and save them on a memory card and
upload them onto the computer using a memory card reader. Knowing this meant that I had an alternative way of
storing pictures if anything happened to them.
Web Camera
At home I do not have access to a web camera so I had never used one before. The first time I used one was for the
preliminary evaluation. At first all members of our group were quite confused and did not know how to record
ourselves, once we got the hang of it we then found it hard to edit the footage. However after experimenting with the
software on the imac I got the hang of it. From this I learnt how you record footage of myself and others, how to edit the
footage and how to save it so it can be uploaded.
A picture of the The web cam I
digital camera I used to record
used evaluations and
video responses
8. Online Software
From using YouTube I learnt how to upload videos on to YouTube in order to
embed them on to my blog and also so comments could be made if needed.
However I learnt that you can never guarantee that the people commenting
are within the age range of your target audience in this case 15 – 21 year
olds
The first time I used blogger was for as media coursework
from this I have learnt how to create a blog and upload and
embed different files and formats in order to make my blog
as interesting as possible .
Prezi was one of the software's I found quite challenging as it was a new experience to
me I made simple/basic PowerPoint's on Microsoft PowerPoint, changed it to a jpeg file
then uploaded it. I learnt how to add special effect to presentations and it made my
presentations a lot more engaging for audience members . I also learnt how to embed
these onto my blog
Scribd was another software were I could convert Microsoft word documents onto a
PowerPoint style presentation. I learnt how to upload my files for other to see and
comment on if they wished to do so.
9. On the website dafont.com I learnt how to research a particular style of font in
order to assist the group with the title designs, the website helped our group
generate possible ideas and possible design’s for the titles of our film. From this
website I learnt how to download and install fonts on to a computer.
With sound cloud I learnt how to upload recordings of
my self onto the software, this was a complete
different form of media and something I got use to
using
Issuu is another software I used to give my
PowerPoint presentations an original format. I
learnt how to upload my PowerPoint's and
embed them onto my blog
After creating PowerPoint presentations and word documents on Microsoft
PowerPoint and Microsoft word. Slideshare enabled me to upload the
presentations and word documents and embed them onto my blog.