Evaluation 4

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


I created a short video to answer this evaluation question. 

Script from video.


The research process for my media product relied heavily on media technologies. Through using the web browser 'Safari' I was able to gain access to websites such as jcgmedia which was created by our media departments. I also used the software iCal to create a calendar that I could personalise with specific deadlines and targets allowing me to use time management. I did these for every month of my course. 


I also used youtube, which allowed me to view a wide range of music videos from different artists, and then more specifically indie artist, the 'suggestions' options on the youtube video allowed me to have a firm grasp of the types of indie genre artist. Using the Mac G5 computer also helped me to record my research, as using the screen grab option of 'cmd' + 'shift' + '4' I was able to crop an image such as a specific type of shot used within the video. I then presented these onto documents and uploaded them onto my blog, allowing me to have a database of conventions and inspirations from other indie music videos, this is as well the program i used to present all of my research.


Using the website surveymonkey.com I created a survey to gain access to information about my target audience, including their music listening habits, favourite genres and what conventions they associated with these. The website was very useful as I was able to share the link and then analyse the results and applied these responses to the planning stages of my music video. 
This was particularly useful in my storyboard and animatic, as I was able to use settings that my target audiences had recommended and enjoyed in previous music videos.


To create my animatic I used the program iMovie, This allowed me to import my scanned images onto the timeline and edit together the shots choosing duration, crop and ken burns on each, to recreate the basic format of my music video. 


In the construction on my music video, I used the Cannon 7D camera. I believe this piece of camera equipment was one of the most vital parts of my media technology. It allowed me to capture my footage, in a easy to manage and control setting, as well as their high quality which provided me with detailed and in depth shots. It also allowed me to adapt to my surroundings, such as through the ISO settings and Aperture, where it was too dark I could allow for more light to enter the lens so that my actress could be seen in detail still. 


I then used the Mac G5 computer to upload and store my footage on, and using the program 'compressor' I imported my footage and then compressed it to a suitable size to work and use on my editing program. This media technology allowed me to manage and prepare my footage. 


I then used the program 'Final Cut Pro' to edit my final music video. For this I imported all of my footage and using the 'timeline' feature I dragged in my selected clip and using the 'marker' tool was able to easily match the actress's lip syncing with the artists lyrics. Which was a helpful feature within the editing of my music video. I was able to use multiple layers to control and place my footage so that I could cut from clip to clip without having to import and match it repetitively. I also used   Final Cut Pro to create the 'light leak' effect within my music video. I imported a pre-made light leak footage on top of my selected shot and then pressed 'cmd' for settings of the clip, where I changed the 'composite mode' to 'overlay' and then double clicked on the shot and onto the 'motion' tab on the viewing window, there I was able to change the opacity of the shot so it was less contrasting and more natural with my footage. 


For my ancillary tasks I used the Cannon 7D camera to take photographs for my digi-pack and poster deisgns. I then used the program InDesign to edit these photos into a suitable template I was able to use this media technology to recreate a conventional album booklet and poster, by using different fonts available to me in styles that suited conventions of the indie genre. I was also able to edit the size and colour of these to create a type of fluency and style that would be recognisable throughout my products. 


I also used photoshop to edit my images, applying brushes and filters across to show diversity and creativity through media technology. 


I then uploaded my final products onto my youtube channel and gained feedback that I could use for my evaluation on the social network site facebook.

Evaulation 3

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

Within my media course, audience feedback has been a crucial part in making my media product successful, as the response it gets from my target audience is crucial in the understanding of strengths, weaknesses and opinions. 

During my class feedback session where my first draft of my music video was projected onto a large screen for the rest of the class to watch was invaluable in my feedback collection. 

Some of the most influential comments I received were; 

"The shots do become quiet repetitive, maybe introduce a new location, totally different from the beach like a recording room, stage, or narrative type of shot."

"The most effective shots are the depth of field shots of the actresses legs walking through the water. It's different but really interesting to watch."

Pinpointing weaknesses within my music video, i.e the repetitive shots helped my learn how to improve my music video, which would ultimately result in a more successful media product. Also by finding out what my target population thought of my music video and commenting on it's strengths, i.e the depth of field shots, provided me with inspiration to film more of these types of shots, which would allow me to provide more of what my audience finds interesting whilst removing the repetitiveness with diversity of new shots.

Using Facebook, I was able to share my music video link with my peers, in the same demographic as my target audience 16-25, It was an easy way to show my music video to a wider audience and gain feedback. 

 Here are some of the comments I received after putting my music video on facebook;

From receiving these comments I have learnt that my music video has been received well by my target population, which is a great success. I have also learnt that the most successful qualities have been the location, go pro footage and light leaks, which were the main factors I looked at when researching conventions of Indie music videos. 


Another way I gained feedback was through posting my digi-pack and poster onto the social network site Twitter.

I believe this was a successful way of gaining feedback, as it made my ancillary tasks easily available to see, as the new twitter now has an option where the user does not have to open a new window to view an image instead it comes up on the timeline, making it quicker and more accessible. 

I gained positive feedback for my ancillary tasks, with comments focusing on my colour scheme and professionalism. 

However there were mixed comments on my CD disc, as the basic format was not as interesting to look at as the other items, however other comments disagreed saying it made a nice change from the conventional images of the artist and the 'stained' effect was very effective in creating a bohemian and indie vibe.

Overall I am very happy with the feedback I gathered, and have learnt an awful lot in the way my media products are received by my target demographic and by others.

Evaluation 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
Using the website www.prezi.com I created an online presentation to answer this evaluation question.

Evaluation 2 - Media Studies on Prezi


Link: www.prezi.com/zrplw-jzqosu/evaluation-2-media-studies

Evaluation 1

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


Using the website www.prezi.com I have created an online presentation to answer the evaluation question 1.

Evaluation of my A2 Media on Prezi


Link to Evaluation 1: www.prezi.com/wp3oqnpav59s/evaluation-of-my-a2-media/


Links to videos included in this prezi
Goodwin Theory - http://youtu.be/3m9LXNNC0U4
Underwater Footage -http://youtu.be/r6KOHxIUhSw
Lissie - When I'm alone - http://youtu.be/7G0_eN36QVc
Ben Howard - Underwater footage - http://youtu.be/PrzJ4VXjm-g

Feedback from Media Products

This is the first draft of my music video, I uploaded it to youtube so that I was able to gain 'comments' on my video which would allow me to see what a wider population thinks about my video.


 


I then used the social network site Facebook to share the link to my video. This was a good way of sending my video to those within my same age group as me and then would be in the target demographic that my music video is designed for. 

I also took part in whole class feedback, where my video was shown on the projector and the whole class wrote down strengths and criticisms of my video.
Some of the comments that were the most useful were;

• Really good use of locations, a clear pattern of the natural environment which works well with the indie genre. 
• The close-up shots are very nicely used, as it shows clear lip-syncing.
• Nice variety of shots used of medium to close-up to long, this could be further developed through the use of shots not of the main actress. 
• The shots do become quiet repetitive, maybe introduce a new location, totally different from the beach like a recording room, stage, or narrative type of shot. 
• The most effective shots are the depth of field shots of the actresses legs walking through the water. It's different but really interesting to watch.  

After gaining feedback I have noticed that my main problem is the repetitive shots, and therefore from this I will film in a different contrasting location to address this problem, this will then encourage a diversity within my footage with more engagement and excitement for my audience. 
Strengths were my depth of field style shots, as this went down well with my target demographic as well as it being recognised as a convention of the indie genre. This may be an idea to film more footage like this with a more in depth lens to really utilise this aspect and feature within my clips.

Construction of my media products

I have made a short construction video of the processes that I went through through when creating my digi pack, poster and my music video. 

Poster

This is my promotional poster for my album's artist.

Digipack

This is my final Digipack product, I have created an 8 page booklet including a Front Cover, Back Cover, CD Cover and inside sleeve, as well as a 4 page booklet.