Evaluation Question 4 - How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

YouTube
I used YouTube throughout my advanced portfolio, as at the beginning of the year, I researched existing music videos, and existing students music videos to give me some ideas of how I could make my music video better. I also used YouTube to watch tutorials of the editing process and to use the correct level of lighting. I benefited from watching the tutorials, as my music video was filmed at night so the lighting had to be correct to have the right effect and for my video to look professional.
When I started to edit my music video, I used YouTube again to upload my drafts, which then enabled me to put my progress onto my blog. This then gave me the opportunity to gain feedback from peers/ students in my classes, which I could then improve on. My final music video can be watched on any device, as YouTube is accessible on phones, computers, Ipads, Tablets etc.


I experienced problems with my camera on my first filming day, as the DV tape would not go into the video camera as the camera was damaged, which took a lot of time up from my filming However, eventually I managed to get it working. However, once I had set up my lighting outside and got my actress onto the scene, the video camera ran out of  battery. As my filming was all done outside, this meant I couldn't charge the battery whilst filming. I was lucky enough to have borrowed 2 different video cameras from college, so I decided to get most of the shots on the smaller camera.
As I produced my music video to be during the night, it was essential that I had access to cables/plugs for the lighting I used to allow me to have a professional effect. I was really lucky throughout the days I chose to film as the weather wasn't always warm but it never rained, however, if it had, I would have had to cancel the filming day, because the lighting would have been affected and could have potentially become dangerous. It would have been very difficult to reschedule as my actress was very busy as she worked most days.

Adobe Photoshop and Final cut pro were the most significant piece of media software I used throughout the whole process of my project. They enabled me to create everything I have to a high degree with the features they offer. Final cut pro enabled me to keep up to date and store my filming footage so I could begin the editing process and slowly piece my music video together. It allowed me to use a variety of different effects, such a cross dissolve and a black fade out. For example:

Black Fade Out Edit:

Cross Dissolve Edit:

Photoshop allowed me to produce my ancillary texts to a high standard and for them to look professional. Photoshop allowed me to edit my personal images that I have taken on the filming set. For example, for my magazine advertisement I changed the colour of the artist eyes to the same blue of the costume to show continuity and coherence throughout my products. the image below shows the construction of how i produced this effect.

Evaluation Questions

1) In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

2) How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

3) What have you learned from your audience feedback?

4) How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Music Video Advertisement

The image below is my final music video advertisement. From feedback that I received from students in my class, I was told that the blue in her eyes need to be brighter to stand out and be more eye catching. I also decided to add a gradient, so my image frame doesn't stand out too much

Digipak

This is my digipak for my music video, I have focused on using the correct conventions throughout the process of making this product. I have used the same colours throughout my product to show continuity and I think it looks more professional. I have chosen to have a black and white effect on my images to contrast with the blue costume, which allows my product to eye catching and stand out. Through out this process, I have used Photoshop which has enabled me to edit and help me to create the best outcome possible. My researched has enabled me see what worked well and what I shouldn't add my product, which has helped me to achieve this digipak. I have used a selection of different shots and angles for my product to show a variety, which will engage the consumer.

Here is my updated version of my digipak after getting verbal feedback from students in my class. I have changed the colour of my album name on my front cover, as they thought the blue didn't contrast as much and wasn't eye catching, meaning the writing 'Glow' didn't stand out. Personally, I think my digipak looks better now after my feedback.

Ancillary Text In Action

Construction Of My Digipak

By producing a mini version of my digipak, it allowed me to see the reality of my product/ how it would appear in real life.  I have realised how important it is to fit the content with the genre, and to maximise sales, producing a professional product will do this. It is necessary to add new eye catching ideas in the digpak creation, to ensure that the product is also modern and up to date, whilst still maintaining value for money in its production.

Step By Step of My Digipak

When I started my front cover for my magazine ad, I edited the image to black and white to make my advertisement look professional and smart. In the top right corner I have changed the brightness/ contrast to achieve the best outcome.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              When I started my front cover for my magazine ad, I edited the image to black and white to make my advertisement look professional and smart. However, I thought the image looked too simple; so I decided to make her eyes the same colour as her outfit in my music video. I started this process by zooming in fully to the actresses eyes and used the rubbing out tool to remove the pupils. I then duplicated the layer of the image and added a block colour on another layer, which I placed in between each of the images, as you can see below.                  

I found that my first attempt, the brightness of the blue was too much and made the image look too fake; so I then lowered the brightness/ colour so it doesn't stand out as much, but still have a nice effect.

Personally, I think this is the perfect brightness for my advertisement as it looks professional and stands out as it is unique.

I took this image from google as I thought it was very conventional for CD's to have printed on the front, along with the record label. As both of my CD's are a dark colour I needed to remove the white back ground and change the writing into white so my audience could see the impact. I did this by using the magic wand tool, which removed/deleted all the white background. I then used the paint bucket and and clicked on the individual lettering, which enabled the writing to become white.

These are the tools that I used to allow me to achieve the best outcome possible throughout making my digipak and my magazine advertisement. 

The eyedropper tool was very useful throughout making my product as it allowed me to get the same colour blue to show continuity through my products.