q4

1. Evaluation Question 4
How did you use new technologies in
the construction and research,
planning and evaluation?

2. Construction
The camera we used to shoot our music video “fire” was a DSLR (Canon EOS 650D). We
were familiar with these cameras as we used them previously to shoot our thriller, therefore
we were able to use our knowledge and learnt techniques such as capturing different angles
(high angles, mid close ups, extreme close ups, mid shots). However over the course of this
year we were able to learn new techniques in controlling the camera more, such as, manually
focusing and adjusting the exposure and brightness. This helped us have more control over
the quality of the image and allow us to achieve our desired, more professional, look for the
video. We were also able to use stills from our footage for our photos for on our digipak and
poster.

3. Construction
In post-production we used the programme FinalCutPro on the iMac to edit our music video.
With this programme we were able to cut and merge clips together to allow us to edit on the
beat and make our video look professional. For example in the beginning of the video we
matched the visuals of the artists banging a drum to the drum beat of the song. Furthermore,
we created short montage clips of jump cuts that were edited to the fast drum beat before the
chorus, which I feel was a very strong element to our video. We were also able to make the
lip syncing in time with the music and in my opinion I think this is the most important part of
editing a music video because lip syncing in the wrong timing is easily noticeable and looks
very unprofessional.

4. Construction
For both the digipak and the magazine advert we used still images from our footage, we made the main
theme of the images related to the smoke grenade. Using stills from the footage for both created synergy
within all three products. To edit the photos for our digipak I used the programme photoshop, and
InDesign on the iMac. I began by editing each of the 6 photos for the digipak on photoshop. I found this
programme quite challenging as I had very little experience using it, however it was very helpful in
making the photos look professional as there are many tools on the programme I used to manipulate the
photo such as air brushing my skin, sharpening and softening certain areas of the image and changing the
settings of the contrast, saturation and temperature. I was also able to add text suitable on the images as it
offers us a large catalogue of fonts. We used a simple, bold, white font for the cover as we felt it have a
contemporary feel, and an elegant, italic font for the back as it matched well with the calm image of the
sky. To add all 6 images together as a digipak I downloaded a template from google and using InDesign, I
was able to fit each image onto the template. As for the magazine advert, we used photoshop and using the
same techniques as used for the digipak we were able to create a strong cover as well as layering images
onto it such as the barcode and social icons.

5. Research
•The main search engine we used for our initial research was
Google, however this helped lead us to more informative
websites for research into each product. We searched for
ideas on digipaks and posters through google images to get an
idea of what they look like.
•We began looking for ideas we could adapt on by viewing
various pop videos on YouTube. This helped us get an idea of
what conventions we could use.
•We then looked for an unsigned artist on soundcloud simply
by searching “unsigned”. We were given a list of different
artists which led us to Willemijn May’s account.
•After listening to all her songs, as a group we decided we
wanted to make a video for her song “Fire”. Soundcloud also
has a messaging service so we were able to contact Willemijn
through this to ask permission to use her song.
•After gaining consent we wanted to get more information on
our artist so we could get a better idea of what find of video to
produce so it could match her personality and music. Through
the links you can add on your soundcloud account we were
able to find Willemijn May’s personal website, twitter and
facebook and gain further information.

6. Research
We have used many different sites and programmes to construct our research:

7. Research
•We used new technologies to construct our
audience research as we filmed us questioning
them on the flip camera.
•The USB connected on the
flip camera allowed us to
swiftly convert the footage
onto the iMac. We then edited
the footage of their reaction
and comments on our video
on FinalCutpro
•Using YouTube we uploaded
the final edit so we were able
to post it onto our blog

8. Planning
•We used the use of new technologies to plan the construction of our music video. I
created a mood board by gathering found still images that related to our envision of our
video on Google images
•We then created an animatic to experiment with the combination of images and our song
track. This helped us in planning as it was able to give us a rough idea of what out video
will entail

9. Planning
As for our digipak and magazine advert we began
planning for them by searching for possible ideas
and inspiration on google. For the digipak we had
to find a 6panel template to help construct the
album. For both we used photoshop to experiment
on the different effects we could use to manipulate
the image and plan what different effects and fonts
we want to add.

10. Evaluation
•For QUESTION 1 I directly posted my
evaluation onto blogger.com, however I added
many different technologies combines onto it.
•I added GIFs onto the post to show the
different conventions of pop video’s which I
was made access through by google. I thought
this was a good way to show them, rather than
stills as it makes it look more interesting and
eye catching
•I then used powerpoint to create a slideshow
of the different conventions we used in our
own video, which included found stills of
similar videos and stills of our own video.
Using slideshare I was able to upload the
presentation and embed it onto the blog.
•Finally, I embeded YouTube clips of
professional music videos that used similar
conventions as ours.

11. Evaluation
•Question 2: For this question I created a presentation
on prezi. This website is a different, unique way of
making presentation, and in my opinion looks more
professional and interesting than standard PowerPoint
presentations. I was then able to embed my presentation
onto my blog.
•Question 4: I conducted a presentation on powerpoint
to answer this question. I was able to include found still
images to support the text and print screen stills from
our music video to show the relations. To present this
on my blog I uploaded the presentation onto slideshare,
which provided a code which I could then embed.
•Question 3: My group and I answered this
question together by recording a video on the
iMac through photo booth. We then edited
the video on FinalCutPro, adding pictures to
illustrate what we are discussing about. We
uploaded the final edit onto YouTube and we
were then able to embed this onto our blog.