Q 6

Q 6

• 1.
  What have youlearnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? What technologies have you used in the production of your thriller? We chose to use a DSLR camera to film our product, this was chosen due to the fact it is easily portable and has a HD quality. The chosen microphone was a Rode video mic, this microphone was used to attach to the DSLR to limit background noise and avoid issues like the sound of wind interrupting sound quality, which was a major issue in our preliminary because we had a limited choice in the technology available to us. We also used a tri-pod to steady the camera and get the camera at specific heights, as well as making sure shots were not disproportionate within the frame. When filming inside we used various lighting techniques, due to the fact we didn’t have much lighting equipment available to us, we decided to use technologies creatively. For example, we used a lamp as a good source of light; I angled the lamp behind the camera and positioned the top of the lamp directly towards the actor in shot. This was an effective way to create clearer shots and to add shadows for effect. Also one of our props in our film involved candles, we used the light from candles to our advantage as it created a low but effective light source to add to the ominous mood. We also just used over-head lights as an initial source of lighting. We also didn’t need any form of lighting equipment outside because we filmed late afternoon, which meant the lighting fitted well to the film and didn’t need alternating.
• 2.
  What technologies didyou use in post-production? We chose to edit on iMovie rather than PremierePro because of having access to a MacBook, also with the realisation that I personally find iMovie easier to navigate when editing. A common feature of iMovie that we have used within the post-production of our thriller is the editing technique of a fade. We placed black fades when changing to different locations and to initiate to the audience that time has passed. For example, below are screenshots of our edit in iMovie, showing the fade in-between the jump cuts, which made the transition a lot smoother.
• 3.
  Another editing techniquewas customising the speed of certain clips, as our video was not fitting to the time allowance, we tried to increase the speed of certain clips. This also made certain scenes look more intense and helped to build tension, for example in the scene where the character played by Annie meets the character (played by Arthur) who is going to kill her in the street. We cut out some of the clips and sped certain clips up to cut down the time of the film, but it also helped to build the suspense. We alternated each of the individual clips by increasing or decreasing the percentage, which slowed or sped down the speed of the clip.
• 4.
  Which presentational deviceshave you used on your blog? I’ve used various presentational devices within my blog to present the research, planning and evaluation. The range of different devices includes; Prezi’s, Powerpoint, Word documents, Spider Diagrams (within Word). This was done in order to add variety to the ways I am presenting the information and to make my blog look more interesting to the audience reading it, as is helps to break up big paragraphs to make the reading look more enticing to the audience. I’ve also included some video clips within Prezi’s when analysing specific details within films, to help the readers understand what I am analysing. I also included screenshots from our thriller production and other films to also help the reader’s understand what I am analysing and to back up the analytical points I am making.
• 5.
  How has technologyhelped in your research? The use of the Internet was a major help when researching for the thriller production, as I had to read up a lot about other films and this was only done by reading articles and watching clips on youtube. I also used the blogspot website to look at other blogs for inspiration and as a guidance tool. How has technology helped in your planning? Technology wasn’t much of an important attribute when planning for our thriller production. The main technology used was the Internet when brainstorming ideas and looking at other films to gather inspiration. As well as using the internet to use my blogger account on blogspot to upload the planning.