How have you used media technologies for the production for

your media?

Evaluation question 4

Sony Vegas 11 Pro

Using Sony Vegas was effective since we were allowed to manipulate shots more freely than iMovie, because of how in-depth the program is. Although it was hard to understand at first, I have learned how to use the program and it’s various effects. Example of effects I’ve used are TV simulator, radial blur, brightness and contrast, and chrome key. I have also learned how to slow down clips, and cut clips effectively to compose the trailer. This was used to construct the final version of the trailer.

iMovie

Out of two moving image editing softwares, this was the easier of the two to use, as it was very simple to use. Unlike Sony Vegas, I’ve managed to grasp how to use this quicker than Sony Vegas, but it meant that we weren’t as creative as we could be. We mainly used this to give us an idea on how we wanted to mould the trailer, and putting the clips together. It also taught other member of the group how to use moving image software. Will used this to construct the first draft of the trailer. I then re-edited his version on Sony Vegas.

Photoshop

We have used photoshop to help manipulate photos. Previously, I have some experience in using the program, so it has been relatively easy to use. Using photoshop allowed us to apply effects and manipulate still images through the use of CGIs. Doing this has allowed us to create our ancillary texts (magazine and poster). We’ve used various effects such as blending in grunge textures to portray a cracked effect on skin, messing with blur and sharpen tools to represent depth of field, and adjustment layers like brightness and contrast and levels to enhance and dim certain colours. Moreover, it made it easy to make changes since I knew how to separate certain aspects of the ancillary texts, and delete layers without affecting features which didn’t need to be changed.

Camera techniques

Before I started this course, I had very little knowledge of cameras. However, through the progression of this course, I have learned how to use a professional camera. I have learned that I can change between auto, and manual focus, so that the depth of field in the camera can be exact, and that bits in the shot that we have to focus on will be sharpened. If the shots are blurred, it would be a displeasure to the viewers eye. Also, we used our initiative to create nice shots. For example, we held the camera up against our faces to create point of view shots. We also shot a clip up on top of an elevated walkway to help create a bird’s eye view. When using the camera, even the simple things like changing the settings and how to record the shots was a new experience for me, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed learning the depths of the camera.

Audacity

Audacity is a sound manipulation/recording software. I had basic experience in using this program prior to this course, but I’ve also learned how to use certain effects. The most noticeable one I’ve learned out is how to use “G-verb”, which is also reverb. This allowed us to create a distant effect on audio. I played around with the settings so that we could get the most appropriate sound for our trailer.

Celtx

This is a script making program, based online and can be downloaded. Talked about previously in my blog, I have learned the main aspects of how to write a script. It has allowed us to organise ourselves, and give us a clear idea of the chronological order of our trailer. It has also allowed our group an insight in how a professional media crew would go about constructing a script. With many redrafts, we finally had a clear idea on how we were going to combat the production, which results in us becoming time-efficient in the long run of the production process. Furthermore, with Celtx being based online, it meant that I could save data through their online server, which resulted in less stress with USB pens and files that I’d have to find from my local PC.

Powerpoint/Slideshare

Powerpoint has allowed my blog to become more interactive. This was a clear way of presenting my work, and it allowed my blog from being stale. This meant that I could pack information into my blog, without having the viewer look at the blog in a monotonous way. Slideshare also allowed myself to distribute my presentations online, which was useful in allowing viewers to interpret the information that I was trying to put through.

Prezi

Prezi is a more interactive way of presenting information than powerpoint. This is because Prezi has some cool animations, and pathways can help separate information effectively. Using prezi, much like powerpoint, has allowed me to convey information in a fully interactive way, which helped my blog from being text-based and stale. Preziis also useful, since it is based online. This meant that I could save presentations online, and I wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of saving elsewhere.

Soundcloud

Soundcloud was useful since it allowed me to broadcast my audio files. This added interactive depth to my blog, since not only can the viewers interpret information visually, but audibly as well. This was easy to use, as you can choose a file and simply upload onto the website, where a code is generated for the media file. This made uploading audio seem effortless.