Evaluation Task 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

 When creating our media film we used a variety of different technologies which each benefited the production of our film in different ways due to their own personal advantages and disadvantages. This taught me how different technologies work and how to use them all. 

Google Chrome 

Firstly we used a laptop computer to use two different web browsers, Google Chrome and Internet explorer to search for different teen angst films and to do some research into these films so that we could try to learn the stereotypical conventions of a teen angst film to ensure that our film fit this. However after searching for these teen angst films we thought we should watch them to explore them further and discover 

Internet explorer logo

Netflix

things for ourselves. I watched the majority of these films on Netflix, and some others I already had on DVD. 

After researching these movies our next step was to plan our piece. During the planning of our piece we used email accounts and text messaging to organise things with each other and help each other to plan.

Microsoft email

Gmail

Facebook messenger

I think using email was really effective as we could all communicate on conversations together so everyone got all the information we needed and we were not passing on information to each other. It also meant we could send documents so everyone could see the work each person was doing to make sure everyone was doing equal amounts of work. We also used the well known app facebook messenger, another way we could communicate with each other. During the planning stage we also created a PowerPoint presentation to present to the class with a pitch of all our ideas to the class. While we were carrying out or planning we used a 

Microsoft Powerpoint

Blogger logo

website associated with google called blogger. On this website we were able to keep track of our progress and show how we planned and what research we did. I think using this website was really useful for me as it meant I could be organised and keep track of everything I was doing as I did. It also allowed me to checkpoint and make sure everything I needed to be done was done. 

Tripod

The next part of our planning process was the filming of our piece. To do this we used a HD camera so that we would record good quality. I was not used to recording with these cameras so learnt a lot, I learnt what buttons do what and I also learnt how to playback videos.  To make sure we had steady footage we used a tripod to film the majority of our opening sequence. I learnt that this was much better to use as it meant that our filming was not jumpy. 

Voice recorder

As we used a voiceover in our product we had to use a voice recorder. I had not previously used this so I had to learn all the buttons that I would use and also learn how to play this back to make sure we had a clear recording. 

After filming and recording on the voicerecorder we had to transfer all of this onto the Mac computers using the leads, we then had to up load this work onto the editing software we were going to use. We used a software called final cut pro. This program allowed us to layer different things on top of each other, which included the footage, sounds and also to add special effects and transformations between each clip. Final cut pro is also designed for the brand of products Mac which made the general application of the software easier and short cuts made for the Mac's made the process more efficient. As this software was new to me I found it very difficult to use but as I worked on the project more I became more familiar with the programme and can now say I am more confident in using this. 

Adobe photoshop logo

When making the logo for our film name a program called adobe photoshop was used. This was to edit fonts and a lips logo onto a transparent background that did not effect the background in the film when it appeared. I have not used this program before and really struggled with different techniques and how to do certain things but after spending some time exploring the programme I found it so much easier to complete this. 

When searching for sound for our piece that we could legally use we used a website called freeplay music. This website was really difficult to search on and we spent a lot of time searching for a piece we could use. After this we had to download the piece and make sure it was stored in a safe place. Our next step was taking the piece and transferring it off of the laptop and onto the Mac. To do this we used a memory stick, I am used to using memory sticks, however not used to taking stuff off of them onto a Mac, therefore by carrying out this procedure I learnt how to do this.