Technologies

Technologies

• 1.
  What have youlearnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? By Louise Barnes
• 2.
  iMac We used theiMacs during every lesson throughout our main task. During the production of our opening sequence we used software contained on the machines that allowed us to edit the content, produce the sound and make the ident and title that would feature within the video itself. Through the video’s production we used three different types of software: Livetype; Soundtrack; Final cut express. As individuals we also all used the iMacs to complete our Mahara blogs as we had constant access to the internet. This access to the internet also allowed us to research the necessary components that would form our concept, target audience research and much more. The advantage of using the iMacs was that we had all of the necessary software available to us on the computer system. The disadvantage of using iMacs was that it took a while to get used to the different keyboard shortcuts etc.
• 3.
  Flip Camera Whilst filming the content for our opening sequence we used a flip camera to record all of our shots. Advantages of using a flip camera include: - The camera is especially light weight and particularly convenient as we walked to another location to film a shot and the camera wasn’t tricky to move or a harassment. - The USB attached to the camera made uploading our shots to the computer quick and easy. A disadvantage of using a flip camera is: - The film quality is not the best, some of the shots that we recorded came out slightly blurry in places. Also the battery life on the camera is not great.
• 4.
  Tripod Whilst shooting ourfilm we attached the flip camera to a tripod which allowed us to film without getting the unnecessary shake that you would have filming without one. Advantages of using a tripod include: - The tripod minimises camera shake, creating better quality shots. - The particular tripod that we were using had a head that moved in a three hundred and sixty degree angle. This allowed us to produce a range of different moving shots. This was particularly useful when making panning shots. - The tripod also had extendable legs so that we could form different tall and short heights. This was useful as it enabled us to show a contrast in power, a low angle could suggest a place of authority and a tall angle could suggest vulnerability. A disadvantage of using a tripod is: - The tripod was fairly heavy and difficult to carry around.
• 5.
  Final Cut express During the editing stages of our main task we used final cut express to shorten or extend some of the content of our video. Advantages of using final cut express include: - The software was quick to use and we could upload all of the necessary components such as the titles from livetype and the music from soundtrack easily. Disadvantages of using final cut express include: -The software took a few lessons of getting used to as none of the group members had used the programme before. - It was easy to make mistakes. Making mistakes was a common occurrence as on one occasion we forgot to save our work.
• 6.
  Live type We used the livetype software to produce our company ident and our “Missing” title. We downloaded the titles that we choose from www.dafont.com and then typed the particular wording into the editing box in livetype. Advantages of using livetype include: -There are lots of different variations that you can choose from, and the editing software creates good quality results that look professional. Disadvantages of using livetype include: - The programme takes a while to get used to and there is a lot of trial and error involved.
• 7.
  SOundtrack We used soundtrack to create and edit the sound that we recorded in the studio. We pre-recorded our voices to sound like separate news reports so that the sound would fit in with our plotline. We then uploaded this to soundtrack and edited it with other sounds effects to make a backing track. Advantages of using soundtrack include: - You can experiment with different sound effects and create a good professional sounding soundtrack. Disadvantages of using soundtrack include: - The software takes a while to get used to.
• 8.
  Mahara Mahara was one of the main internet sites that we used. Mahara allowed us as individuals to create posts on our blogs that would form our coursework. The primary use of Mahara was to evidence research, planning and evaluation. Advantages of using Mahara include: - The site is easy to use and you can upload videos from other websites such as YouTube. Disadvantages of using Mahara include: - Saving can be difficult and can take a while if you have a video or presentation that has a lot of data.
• 9.
  Youtube During the research stages of our main task we used YouTube regularly to gain insight into other films with the same genre as us. Similarly we used YouTube to upload and share the “rough cut” and “final cut” of our opening sequence. Advantages of using YouTube include: - You do not need to have any prior knowledge to navigate YouTube. - The site is free to upload. - You can receive feedback on your posts, as people can leave comments and like your videos. Disadvantages of using YouTube include: - Anyone can comment on your videos, and so you may receive some bad criticism.
• 10.
  Presentation resources The logos to the right show some of the presentation resources that I used on my Mahara blog to present the planning and research that I had made. I particularly liked using bubbl.us as it allowed you to easily create a mind map using different colours and fonts. The presentation method was especially good for showing planning, as you could show the developments of ideas and key concepts. I didn’t particularly like using Prezi as the website was hard to navigate. However after using the site a couple of times I now feel more confident with the website and the results that it produces are very good.