Evaluation Questions - Sophie O'Dell

Q1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

 

 Q2: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

 


Q3: What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Q4: How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

In our music video creation process we used a digital camera to film the footage, we were going to use in our music video. To use this piece of equipment you have to consider a few things before you start to film. Firstly you have to adjust the camera to the right height and distance. You can use the tripod to aid you in this process. Also, you need to check the focus and zoom on the camera lens. Once you have done so, you can begin filming. This technology was very useful for our purpose as if was easily adjusted and was easy to operate. We were definitely able to achieve all of our goals using this digital technology. >>>>>>

Another digital technology we used was an ipod. To use an ipod you need to upload your chosen song onto the device under the name of the artist and track. To find this specific song you can then search the name in the search bar on the device and select. Click play on the device when you are ready to record. Having a portable device which allowed us to play the song out loud through our non digital technology - ipod speakers. We found this technology very useful as we could take if out to our main location, and use it to remember the lyrics and tune. We achieved all of our goals using this technology.

We used the dolly whilst creating test footage for our music video. The dolly needs to be correctly attached to the tripod before use. To enable you to use the dolly to its full potential, you need to have a large clear area and even flooring so it doesn't shake when it is moved. The dolly can be used for tracking shots and 360 degree shots. We however did not feel this technology worked well for us. Due to our setting being outside the Dolly would not have given us a smooth shot when being used for a 360 degree angle. Therefore even though we wanted to create this effect in our video we couldn't. This technology was not a digital one. >>>>

<<<To create our advert and digipak we used the programme Photoshop. Photoshop is a photo editing programme where you can manipulate your images to look just the way you wanted them to. You can manipulate your images to look just the way you wanted them to. You can import and edit images both from your desktop files and the internet. Some of the editing effects available on Photoshop include colour correction/colour change: sepia, black and white, gray scale, reflection, displacement, dots + linear light,, comic book effect, lomo, mosaic and water colour. You can also select parts of the image to change and leave the rest normal; Tools such as the lasso tool are really handy for this type of edit. When creating something like an advert or poster you can also use layering so you can select one image at a time, and edit them separately. Fading and blurring images using the blur tool is really good also for adverts and posters because you can fade away harsh line and emerge images together creating a really professional look. Text is also available on this programme in hundreds of colour, fonts and textures too. We found Photoshop quite a challenge to use a first due to our lack of knowledge and experience using it. However, as time progressed we became more confident and found it an excellent programme to use, as it allowed us to created really professional merchandise and advertising material.

<<<Once we had filmed all of the shots for our music video, we imported them from the camera onto the digital technology final cut express. Once clips are uploaded to this programme there are many editing function you can  use. Cutting, colour correction, cropping, re-sizing, copying, pasting are just some of the basic edits you can do to your video clips. Once you have edited your clips to the right length and cropped them to the size you wanted you can start adding fades, dissolves, colour changes, ripples, rolls, blade edits, split screens and picture in picture edits. These allow your clips to look fuller and more interesting and proffesional. If you are creating a music video you can also sync up your track to miming acted out on the clips. This can be done by pressing the shortcut key on the key board wherever on your video and music track you want to sync. We found final cut express a really clever and efficient technology to use in order to create our music video. The effects we were able to add really enhance our video and make it look much more professional. Especially the colour corrector. Although at some points we did fine the programme complicated and a bit confusing. But overall we got on well using this digital technology. 

<<<We also used a tripod, a non digital technology, in the process of creating our music video. To use the tripod correctly firstly you have to extend the tripod legs to the desired height. You then need to loosen the screw at the top and adjust the plate where the camera sits to the desired angle. Adjusting the angle helps you to achieve high and low shots. This can can also we enhanced by shortening or lengthening the legs. The use of the tripod is to ensure that the shots you film are clear and not wobbly. We felt this technology allowed us to create all the shots we wanted, especially the long shots in the tunnel and the shots of all three of us. This especially helped because with the tripod you can film without someone holding the camera.