1. 4. How did you use media
technologies in the
construction and research,
planning and evaluation
stages?
Anna Skelding

2. CONSTRUCTION

3. iMovie
Throughout the construction process, iMovie was the main
media technology that I used in order to create my
product. Before starting my advanced portfolio, I rarely
had the opportunity to use iMovie and therefore began
creating my trailer with limited knowledge. Because of this,
I decided to begin watching YouTube tutorials which
taught me how to use more advanced tools on the
programme. For example, I learnt how to cut background
music in order to pick the exact part of the song needed. I
did this by using the ‘Clip Trimmer’ tool. I have mainly
used this technique during the first half of my trailer as I
felt that the chorus worked well with the footage and fast
pace aim that I was hoping for in order to reflect the
narrative.

4. iMovie
The screenshot to right
shows how I cut the song
that I used within my
trailer. I did this by clicking
on the song itself, followed
by the setting button and
then clip trimmer.
On the bottom of the
screen, the song appears
and it allows you to move
the two yellow bars that
can be seen on the
screenshot to the right in
order to choose the section
of the music desired.

5. iMovie
I also used tools on iMovie throughout the construction
process of my film trailer such as Video Adjustments. I did
this in order to change the colour on parts of my footage in
order to suit my genre and narrative. I did this mainly
through the first half of my trailer in order to fit in with the
fast pace editing and upbeat atmosphere, as well as
connoting that the characters were confused due to the
consumption of alcohol/drugs. Before, producing my
trailer, I was not aware that you could do this, however
now I feel that if I were to create a new project, I would
confidence in using this tool.

6. iMovie
COLOUR:
The images to the left
show screenshots of
footage within my movie of
where I changed the
colours. The other
screenshots show I used
technologies in order to do
this. As you can see I
altered the contrast and
also changed the ‘White
Point’ in order to create a
new colour.
If I was unhappy with the
colour, it was also easy to
go back to the Video
Adjustments tool and redo
the editing, or even revert
the clip back to its original
appearance.

7. iMovie
EFFECTS:
As well as
changing the
colour of
certain parts
of my
footage, I
also added
video effects
to other parts
in order to
make it more
defined and
striking.

8. iMovie
It could be argued that I
used media technologies
within iMovie through the
construction process of my
trailer through my use of
audio effects. I used this at
the beginning of my trailer
during the first piece of
music by adding a ‘muffled’
effect. I did this as I felt it
created tension and made
the opening of my trailer
more dramatic.

9. iMovie
As well as using the technology provided by iMovie to add audio
effects, I also altered the volume on particular parts of my trailer
in order for the characters to be heard over the background
music. I did this by clicking on the settings of the clip, followed
by audio adjustments. I then reduced the percentage of volume
within the background music and increased the volume of the
clip itself. Before beginning the production of my trailer I did not
know how to do this, however as I began to get more used to
the programme, I discovered how to and now feel confident in
using this technique as a form of altering my work.

10. iMovie
I feel that I also took advantage of the technology on
iMovie by using slow motion and speeding up parts of my
footage. I did this in order to make parts look more
dramatic and to help synchronize the song with the
actions in my footage.

11. Photoshop
Photoshop was the main platform used in order to create
my ancillary products, one being a film poster and the
other being a magazine cover. Due to previously creating
a music magazine for my Foundation Portfolio, I had a
pre-knowledge of how to work the programme. However,
although I had previous experience I needed to try and
improve my work due to the jump from AS to A2, in order
to meet the requirements of this years products.

12. Praktica Camera
In order to produce footage for my trailer, I used a HD
video camera provided by the school. As I have never
previously created a trailer before, I have rarely filmed
events before. Due to this, I practiced filming quite a lot of
my footage before starting the real thing in so that I could
get used to how the camera worked.
As some of the footage from my film was supposedly
filmed by a group of ordinary teenagers themselves,
rather than a professional camera crew I had to make
sure that a majority of what I filmed looked natural and as
if it were hand held by the characters.

13. SLR Digital Camera
I used a digital camera in order to take images for both of my
ancillary products. I felt confident whilst using the camera due to
previously using it in order to take pictures for my Foundation
Portfolio at AS.
I originally took images for my magazine cover in daylight,
however after looking at the pictures I felt that they were not as
daring and eye catching as I desired due to the lighting.
Because of this, I re-took the images in the evening using flash
and felt that they came out better and highlighted the rebellious
aspect of my film.
I felt that using this piece of technology during the construction
process of work was effective as it made the images more
defined, professional looking and therefore more realistic.

14. DAFONT.COM
I also used the Internet as a form of
technology during the construction
process of my film and ancillary products.
I mainly used this platform in order to find
a recognizable and unique font for the
title of my film. I did this by going on the
website ‘dafont.com’ which provides both
authentic and well known fonts online
which can be downloaded for free.
I felt that using a unique font for my title
was effective as it worked in the same
way that a logo would and was therefore
good for brand recognition.
I also downloaded fonts from this website
to use on my iMovie instead of using
existing ones that are programmed onto
the computer system. I did this to make
the font more original as well stand out
more.

15. RESEARCH & PLANNING

16. Google Docs
I used the platform ‘Google Docs’ during the research stage of
my production. I used this mainly for audience feedback as I
uploaded a series of questions about my ancillary products
and trailer in order to help me with improvements and
decisions. I feel that Google Docs was an effective way to do
this as it is easily accessible for both me and those answering
the questionnaires and it displays results in a sophisticated
manner.

17. FlipSnack, SlideShare,
Scribd
I used all three of these platforms as a way of presenting
my research and planning. I am familiar with both
FlipSnack and SlideShare as I frequently used them
during my Foundation Portfolio. However, I did not feel as
confident when using Scribd as I have not used it as
much. Although I did not have much experience with the
platform, I now feel that I would feel more confident in
using it.

18. MICROSOFT
I used Microsoft Word in order to produce my textual
analysis’s of film posters. As I was introduced to the
software at a young age, I was aware on how to use it.
I chose to use Microsoft Word as it displays work in a
clear and aesthetically pleasing manner.

19. EVALUATION

20. iMovie
I have used media technologies in the process of my
evaluation as a form of presenting them. I have used the
platforms that I am comfortable with, for example,
FlipSnack. However, after reading the examiners
feedback from last years work, I felt that it would be a
good idea to produce one of my questions through iMovie.
I felt confident in doing so after developing skills from the
production of my film trailer.

21. OVERALL

22. Blogger
I have used blogger throughout all of the stages of my
production as I have kept a log of my progress whilst
creating my trailer and two ancillary products. I feel that
Blogger is an effective platform to use as a way of
presenting work as it has helped me keep track of where I
am up to. After creating a blog last year as a way of
showcasing my work, I have been confident in using the
programme.