Media TechnologyEvaluation Question 4

Research and Planning + EvaluationiMacsGoogle ResourcesPreziSlideshareHaiku DeckFacebookBlue Snowball Microphone + Soundcloud

iMacsThe iMacs were used as they

were the computers available in the college.

These computers were used throughout the entire project, as theInternet access and editing software included proved to be very helpful in the formation of our final products. Though Windows computers would have fulfilled the same function, the Macs were used as a convenience since they were already in the classroom.

Google ResourcesIn the initial research and planning stages, we

were able to find existing music videos using Youtube, existing digipaks using Google Images and existing band websites using Google.

In addition, we were able to research and find particular fonts to use using DaFont.com and symbols and other reference images, i.e. those for our Pinterest board, using Google Images.

Prezi, Slideshare and Haiku DeckThese three online tools were used throughout the

project as means of presenting research findings and other information.

Slideshare and Haiku Deck were more simplistic in nature so made for conveying information efficiently but effectively, whereas Prezi was much more stylised so more thought was given to those blog posts that incorporated it.

FacebookThroughout the project, facebook proved to be an

invaluable tool for communicating amongst ourselves, particularly in the planning stages.

After setting up a group for the project, we were able to share items in preparation for shooting days i.e. shot lists, storyboards, model release forms etc. and also enabled each of us to gather feedback from the others regarding any progress made, i.e. sharing rough cuts of the music video.

Soundcloud + Blue Snowball MicFor my evaluations, I included a new method of

presentation in recording a podcast outlining my own, off-the-cuff thoughts on a particular topic.

This method of presentation enabled me to convey a large amount of information in a relatively short space of time without having to worry as much about the aesthetics of the presentation.

That said, I did have to plan briefly what I was going to say otherwise my commentary would have been incredibly disjointed, so some planning needed to be undertaken.

ConstructionNikon D5100Hama Tripod + Dolly + RigStudio LightsFinal Cut ExpressAdobe After Effects iPhonesAdobe PhotoshopWix

Nikon D5100The camera we used was DSLR as we

were able to elicit a higher quality image from this more sophisticated camera than the camcorders the college had. Using the manual settings, we were able to shoot well in the low light of the studio, and eventually enabled us to export our final product in High Definition.

Some stills we took would then go on to be featured in the digipak and the website, so the camera was not solely used for the music video.

Tripod, Dolly, Camera RigThe Hama Tripod, Dolly and

Camera Rig were all used to create different camera movements. The tripod was used for locked-off shots as it kept the camera static, the rig enabled us to capture dynamic-looking handheld footage and the dolly allowed us to get some nice sweeping shots of the band inside the studio.

Studio LightsThe overhead lighting

system in the studio was used to properly light the performers against the dark background. We had full manual control over the lights, so were able to perfect our image in-camera there and then.

Final Cut ExpressFinal Cut was the editing software of choice to

refine the music video. This was used because it was already on the Macs, and we had gained experience using it in the first year during the construction of the foundation portfolio.

Using this software, I was able to lip sync our footage to the chosen track, and then cut between the different shots we had taken.

Adobe After EffectsAfter Effects is, unlike FCE which is a piece of

video editing software, designed solely for visual effects shots. For the music video, I used AE to mask around the close-ups of the actors and combine them in the same shot to create the Queen-esque shot in the opening of the video.

AE’s ‘Warp Stabilizer’ function was also used on some clips, notably the dolly shots, to smoothen the motion of the camera and create a more professional looking final image.

iPhonesThroughout the construction stage of the project,

we used our phones with in-built cameras to capture ‘behind-the-scenes’ footage which recorded our progress and setups.

The phones were also used throughout to communicate amongst the group, particularly on the main day of shooting when we had to arrive at a different location, but also to add items to the aforementioned facebook group.

Adobe PhotoshopAdobe Photoshop was the piece of software used

to design the digipak. This was used as the college’s computers already had the Adobe suite preinstalled, and Photoshop is renowned as the most powerful image editing tool.

Using a template downloaded from the Internet, I was able to construct a rough initial design, which served as the basis for the later final product, which were both designed using this software.

WixUnlike the previous pieces of software I used, it

seemed apt that the tool used to design the website existed online. Wix was used as it is a free online website designer.

Using it we were able to manipulate much of the functionality of the template so as to arrive at a final product that resembled our original flat plans.