1. By Mitchell Turner
How did you use media technologies
in the construction and research,
planning and evaluation stages?
2. Planning and research
During the planning and research stages of the
project I used lots of different websites and
software.
3. Research
The group needed to research the codes and conventions of music
videos so that we knew what we would need to put into our video. This
was achieved by searching for existing videos on YouTube as well as
using Google to search for information regarding our chosen genre. This
was very helpful as I was able to get a clear understanding of the folk
genre and what code and conventions needed to be added in our
video.
We could also watch television channels and view the music videos that
way as well. As I have Sky it meant that there was a variety of television
channels which I watch.
I could also view music videos through my mobile phone. This was very
helpful when we went out filming because we could view the videos
and show our actors what we wanted them to do.
4. Blogging our planning and research
We used Kite to blog our progress throughout the course
so that we see our development and how the group
was able to progress.
However Kite caused the group problems when trying to
blog our progress because it wouldn’t allow us to
upload Prezi’s at first and then it wouldn’t allow us to
embed YouTube videos either. Eventually both of these
problems were resolved.
I was able to use Kite like a diary by constantly
uploading various pieces of work which I had
completed.
5. Prezi & YouTube – Research & Planning
I used Prezi during the research & planning stages as it
was a good platform to present my findings. I could also
share my Prezi’s with other members of the group which
helped them with their research as well.
I was also able to use YouTube by uploading the vlogs
which we did when we went to the farm for the first time
to find out the possible filming locations.
These two formats were very useful as it meant that we
could access them from anywhere which was
particularly good when we was filming because I was
able to view the information via my phone which was a
real bonus.
6. Social Media – Facebook group
We also created a Facebook group which included the
members of our group so that we could arrange times to meet
up and film. It also meant that we could share ideas and post
our ideas to get instant feedback so that we didn’t waste time
during our filming sessions.
7. Mobile phone & Laptop – Research & Planning
My mobile phone meant that I could text members of
our group so that we could meet up and start making
the plans for the music video. It also meant that we
were able to contact each other outside of school. It
also enabled me to access the Facebook group via
the Facebook app which was installed on my phone.
I used my laptop throughout the project to research
various aspects which we needed to research. It
enabled me to watch YouTube videos, visit websites
which contained important information. I was also
able to start making prototypes of effects which we
were planning to use as I had the Adobe Creative
Cloud installed on my laptop.
8. Construction
In the construction stages of the project we used three different
camera to record our music video which included Canon EOS
1100D, Nikon D3200 & Sony DCR-PJ6. Along with these cameras
we also used a tripod, handheld jib & dolly for the tracking shot.
We uploaded our footage to the VEM (video editing machine)
which has a duel screen and is much more powerful at
processing the video clips than a normal computer. The VEM has
the Adobe Master Collection installed which allowed us to edit
the footage on Premiere Pro and add special effects to the clips
using After Effects.
I used InDesign to create my poster and Dreamweaver to create
my Website. Dreamweaver allowed me to create a website from
scratch without the need for templates which are restrictive in
terms of creativity.
9. Editing – Premiere Pro
To edit our video we used Adobe Premiere Pro CS6. The software
enabled us to put the video clips in an order which would mean
that the audience would be able to follow the story, as well as
shorten the length of some clips so that the audience would
remain engaged throughout the video.
As Premiere Pro is part of the Adobe Master Collection it means
that the other Adobe products which we used could be easily
incorporated into the work. This included work from After Effect,
Photoshop & Illustrator. This made the editing process much
easier as we create files on other computers using Photoshop
and After Effects and import them onto VEM which saved lots of
time for the group.
Screenshot of the timeline
11. Editing – After Effects
Screenshot of the timeline
We used After Effects to create the title screen of the video as
well as the ending of the video. Using After Effects meant that
we could add the film scratches video over the top of the
Photoshop files which we created. This enabled us to make the
title screen look old and therefore fit the genre.
We also used After Effects to add the film scratches effect to the
ending of the video as well. This was done using the same video
file which was used for the title screen along with the same
soundtrack which plays over the music of the song.
13. Feedback – Creative Arts Evening
Our school hosted a creative arts evening which was the
perfect way to show off our products and receive
feedback. We were able to get the reaction from our
audience and ask them questions about various elements
of the product.
The event enabled the group to obtain some strong
feedback which was both positive and negative. This
variation of feedback was good because it meant there
were some clear elements of the product which we
needed to improve on if we were to complete the task
again, but some other elements which were executed very
well.
14. Evaluation – Kite learning platform
We used Kite to blog the whole production process from the
planning stages, editing, all the way to the evaluation. Kite
enabled me to embed my Slideshare’s and Prezi’s for me and
other members of my group to see.
Kite also meant that I could embed the YouTube videos which
both myself and the group had produced during the project.
Kite allowed me present my work in a clear way with its simple
layout.
However Kite did not offer a way of hosting my website so I
needed to find an alternative to this.
15. Website Hosting
To host my website I used x10hosting which is a free web hosting
service for small websites. x10hosting has tools which leaves the
user in complete control as well 99.9% up time.
It also offers its own website builder if you don’t have the
software to create your own website, however I already created
my website using Adobe Dreamweaver which was by far the
better option to choose.
The platform also offers its users free support as well as its own
forum where other users can ask questions and receive instant
support from other users.
16. Evaluation - YouTube
We uploaded our music
video to YouTube so that
we could share it amongst
ourselves and also so we
could receive feedback
from our audience.
YouTube is a great platform
to share the video between
ourselves, giving us access
when we are at home.
By uploading the video to
YouTube it also meant that
it could be embedded onto
our blogs and into my
website.
17. Evaluation – PowerPoint/Slideshare
I used PowerPoint to display some of my evaluation as its an easy
piece of software to use and it allows the information to be
displayed clearly.
PowerPoint also enabled me to insert images as well as videos
into my presentations which was a really useful feature when
making some points about my work.
I then uploaded my PowerPoint to Slideshare which allows users
to view their PowerPoint's online as well as embed them on
websites and blogs. Slideshare is free to use which was great and
it was fully compatible with Kite.
18. Evaluation - Prezi
I finally used Prezi to display the final pieces of my evaluation,
Prezi was a great website to use for this. Its also free to use which
was another reason why I used it.
It allowed me to upload images, sound and embed YouTube
videos which resulted in me being able to produce multimedia
presentations.
I could also embed the Prezi into my Kite blog which was a useful
feature as it meant when looking at the blog it wasn’t littered
with hyperlinks, but instead with embedded Prezi’s which looked
much better.
