Evaluation - Question 4

How did you use media technologies to the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Throughout the whole of my coursework, there has been a variety of media technologies which I have had to use to to research, plan and create my final media productions. All of the media technologies which I have used have played an important role in the different stages and some were easier to use than others. 

Final Cut Express

Final Cut Express is an editing software suite which was created by Apple. I used this software to edit my music video production. It was not the first time which I had used the software, however I still found that I had to familiarise myself with this particular media technologies. The software helped me to construct my final music video which turned out to be an intensive time and learning curve for me. 

This particular media technology was one of the most important software which I used throughout the course. Without it I would not of been able to edit my music video. The way in which I learnt to use the software was through trial and error. I had to make mistakes to know where I went wrong. However, this was a positive part throughout editing the music video. I learnt a variety of different skills including how to cut different parts of film and add transitions to my music video.  Looking back on how I used the software there were probably some improvements which I could of made. Learning through trial and error meant that the editing took some time. If I could go back I would find a user guide on how to use the basics of Final Cut Express and also find some tutorials on YouTube on how to use the software.

Photoshop

Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems. I used Photoshop to create my digipak and magazine advert. I originally had a Photoshop tutorial where I learnt the basics on how to do a variety of different things on the software from fading to using the magic wand. Even though I had used Photoshop before in Media GCSE, I had forgotten how to use most things on the software. However, I was recently using the software Fireworks in a different subject which was similar to Photoshop. This meant that I was able to take my knowledge from Fireworks and apply it to Photoshop. 

At first using the software was tricky and likewise with Fireworks, it took some trial and error sessions for me to get things how I wanted. Creating the digipak was a quite quick compared to when creating the magazine advert. Overall, I was pleased with how both my digipak and magazine turned out. However, I found that I was a perfectionist and someone with an eye for detail which meant that they took longer than they needed to. Below is a screenshot with adapted detail of just some of the features mean on the software. 

Blogger

Blogger allowed me to make posts about my coursework throughout the year. Blogger also came with an app available to download which meant that I could transfer files easily from my phone. However, at times it did not work which meant that I was delayed when posting some parts onto the blog. It also allowed me to upload my research and findings in a variety of places, whether that being on the computer or from my phone.

YouTube and Google

I used YouTube a lot throughout my media production. Particularity when researching about my music video. It allowed me to view a variety of different music videos and see what were the conventions in them. Google provided me with the necessary tools to do my research on each of my productions. It provided a variety of websites for me to go into depth about my research.

Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites such as Facebook and Soundcloud played an important role in my media production. I was able to easily download my sound for the music video from Soundcloud and was also able to stream it easily too. Facebook allowed me to stay in contact with the artist and have good communication with him. Without these social networking sites I would not have been able to create any of my media productions.

Technology

Throughout the course I have had to use a variety of different technologies to help produce my media production. This included, a camera, computer, digital camera and my mobile phone. My mobile phone was particularly important as it allowed me to communicate easily, whether it being about booking out equipment or contacting the artist. The computer allowed me to find my research and also edit anything that needed to be edited.