question 4 how did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and...
TRANSCRIPT
Question 4: How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and
evaluation stages?
By Rajel Ullah
Research and Planning
For research and planning, I had to discover different music videos through the popular online video distributor called YouTube. These music videos are used as my case studies which influenced ideas on what i want to include in my video through the camera, mise en scene and editing. YouTube allows you to find songs which fit to your personal taste and also a technology which helps get your ideas across globally attracting a wider audience. Google allows you to access YouTube straight from the homepage. By using YouTube i learnt that when uploading a video you can include different tags such as ‘hip hop song’, this is done because to increase the viewership of your video. In addition, i learnt that if you use any type of song that belongs to a rapper as an example in your video this will be striked as a copyright so YouTube will either take down the video or mute the video.
Google is the search engine that allows access to other online platforms such as Blogger and Youtube which are only accessible to those who have a Google+ account. Through, Google i was able to find the lyrics of certain songs that have influenced my case studies also the lyrics of the song i chose to do the music video which was ‘Drake ft Rihanna - Too Good’. Moreover, i found the labels which Drake is signed to. Also i found my case study album covers on Amazon which has been searched on Google in order to find your result. Through Google I was able to broaden my knowledge on the music industry and found different promotional methods that will increase the sales of the album. Moreover, i found the dimensions on Google for the CD digipack.
Blogger
Blogger is the main technology which I have been using throughout the coursework as it allows you post things online and keeps you on track of work and helps organise by using Labels etc.
Instagram was a way to find the model for our music video and to communicate with them. It allowed us to stay in contact with each other setting up dates on when to film and discuss about the location of the shoot. Instagram is a excellent way to effectively communicate with others as it is accessible everywhere via phones or computers etc and it is free.
Timetoast was used to organise and schedule different task and gives you deadlines when to finish so you know how much time you have to complete the work. Timetoast allows to add and remove deadline or to changes dates which is very useful.
Although I used Instagram for communicating with the cast members i also used Whatsapp to get in contact with my crew members. Whatsapp is more productive than instagram as it allows you to call and text. By using whatsapp we discussed different costumes over the phone with the model and was able to say things in detail as it is not written down but vocally said. Whatsapp allowed me to discuss specific locations to come for the shoot and make sure the model was comfortable with the environment and also discussed about the availability of the model and time and dates he can shoot.
Camera The camera we used for the music video and print products is the Canon DSLR which has been borrowed by Leyton Sixth Form College. First time using the DSLR was not difficult as we were previously experienced but there was some scenes and photographs which came out rather unfocused and pixelated this is because there was not enough lighting around the scene and whilst moving the camera you need to adjust the focus each time. However, after each shot as a group we would discuss whether it should be used in the video or in the print products this is essential as this improves our teamwork and group communication skills. Moreover, we had a second taster session on how to use or improve your camera skills with the technician Tyler which helps as a group which increases our knowledge in the camera fields such as we learnt about using manual mode is the best way to use camera as you can adjust settings that suits your needs.
For the photography for the print product as a group we took images in the photo studio in Leyton Sixth Form college as there is a black and white back drop and when taking images it looks rather professional and the quality is really high. Most shots for my CD digipack are mid shots and extreme close ups
Camera Equipment & Lighting For the music video we had to use a tripod to keep the shots stable of the artist lip singing so it can be perfect when editing in the actual song. Tripod allows you to take steady and professional images which enables the images useable. Additional lighting had to be used for the music video as we shot mostly in the dark and by using the lights brightened the scene and makes the quality of the video higher.
Print Products
Editing for Print ProductsPhotoshop was the Adobe program i used to edit my print products . This was not difficult at all as i have prior knowledge from previous magazine which was the AS music magazine. Before the print products i had made layouts for the CD digipak and advertisement which was not time consuming which made the process more organised. Whilst editing my CD digipack and advert I had to increase the brightness and contrast of the images and enlarge them due to the fact that to make the image look professional similar to my case studies as they have images that have quality and this helps in getting the audience aware of the CD Album. Also I used the blemishes tool to get rid of spots from the face because it will make the image more alive and clean to have a professional and appealing look to the customers.
Editing for Music VideoAdobe premiere was the editing software used for the music video and by using it i learned many things such as how to include effects, syncing the audio correct with the video so it matches and cutting and placing scenes in different orders. For example, throughout the whole music video we included the effect of black and white which makes the appearance of the video more appealing. Also added the red colour effect on ‘Rihanna’s scenes to reflect stereotypically femininity. By using Premiere has enhanced my skills in editing as it is a long and patient process . I learnt that you have to let the music video render so it can be exported properly so you can upload it onto YouTube.
Prezi Emaze
Emaze is a secondary online presentation software which allows you create different types of presentations such as business proposals. This helped in presenting my work in a creative way. You include effects on the slides which make the overall presentation appealing and intriguing. I have been using this technology throughout my coursework as it allows you to display information in a fun and appealing way.
Prezi is an online presentation software which is connected to the cloud and allows you to edit and will save automatically wherever you have embed the presentation. Prezi is a creative way to express information as you can include large file images, video and sound etc. You can choose from many themes and also be able to customize your slides with effects.
Google slides SlideshareGoogle slides is an alternative way to present information which mostly displays in a formal and simple way. The themes are more simplistic and less artistic as this allows the readers to concentrate on the information rather than the style. Also I liked the way Google slides automatically saves your work which prevents any problems in saving. As you can not embed Google Slide on to blogger you also need to use an online software called slideshare which allows you to post your powerpoints and share via everywhere. Also you can add tags this is because to allow more people view your post and also you will be able to comment.