Evaluation Question 4

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

Blogger: Blogger is online software which a person can write materials online to create a blog. Our group has had previous experience with Blogger, as we used this software last year for our as coursework. Blogger is open to the public, so anyone can read our blogs.

WWW: a benefit of this software is that it is very versatile, as it allows us to upload blogs that are in different formats such as, DPP, PNG and JPEG. This allows our group to presents our work in an interesting way. Additionally, the software is easy to navigate, so when we first started to use this software it was easy to upload blogs, and easy for our teacher to find it.

Microsoft Office: is a family friendly software which includes programs, word, PowerPoint, excel and publisher. Microsoft office has allowed our group to publish our blogs in creative ways, whilst still maintain a professional manner. Our grouped used the Microsoft programs: word and PowerPoint.

Microsoft Word: The benefits of using Microsoft word is that it has an help forum that is in instant. At one point when using word I was unsure how to change the structure of my text. Therefore I went to the help forum and it gave me directions to do what I needed to do. This is an example of how easy to use Word is which is beneficial for first time users. Microsoft also has AutoSaves so when you accidentally delete your work it saves automatically. All of these programmes are easy to use and has a automatic embed button which makes it easier to put on Blogger. A example of using Microsoft in our work was research into conventions of a poster. Through using PowerPoint for this research we were able to present our investigations in a professional manner.

PowerPoint: PowerPoint allows us to use images, audio and video to have a greater visual impact. This allows our blogs to become more creative that will capture our audience. Another benefit of PowerPoint is that is very versatile as it can be uploaded to a variety of websites such as, YouTube.

Google: Google was a very important aspect of our coursework, as it has allowed us to deepen our understanding in topics that our knowledge was limited in. Additionally, google has been beneficial in our research and planning stage as it has allowed our group to gain extra information for the construction of our trailer, and for the creation of our film poster, and magazine cover.

Here are some specific examples of using Google:

• We used Google to look up the OCR specification, so that we can understand the points that we need to include in order that can understand what the criteria is asking of us, so that we can fulfill it and get a good grade.
• Another example of using Google is Google Images. By using Google Images are able to emphasise our points by giving examples through pictures.

YouTube: YouTube is a video sharing website that allows individuals get across their points through videos. Through using YouTube our group was able to view trailers. Through viewing trailers we were able to understand the conventions and format of a trailer, so we were able to create a trailer that conforms to the conventions expected of a trailer. Through YouTube our group has been able to share our videos online, so that it would be easier for the teacher and the examiner to view our work. Also by sharing our videos our peers were able to view our trailer drafts and give us some helpful criticism so that we know what we can do to improve, and using YouTube we were able to share our final trailer. one problem that we encountered with YouTube is that we found it difficult to edit the videos. An example of using YouTube is uploading our main task, and uploading videos of our evaluation of filming. By using YouTube to upload our evaluation of filming it was easier to get our point across as it was a video format so that we can elaborate our points more effectively than using power point. 

Prezi,and Emaze: These programmes are an online software which allows an individual to present their ideas in a creative format. A benefit of using these programmes is that there are different formats and styles therefore we are able to put forward a presentation with a style that fits the idea and concept. Additionally as the programmes are only acceptable online it can be accessible on any computer or laptop. However, a limitation of this programme is that one time when we’re using the programme the Wi-Fi went down, so we were not able to access our accounts. One problem that we encountered when using Prezi is that it was very difficult designing the slides. Sometimes when we tried to remove objects the whole slide would delete. We overcame this problem by choosing basic designs for our presentations, so that it was easier to function. An example of using these Prezi is when we were investigating Job Roles. By using Prezi to present this research we were able to be more creative and create a presentation that the examiner would find visually impressive. 

IndieSound: IndieSound is a website that allows individuals to upload and listen to music. A benefit of this website that it is free, which is good as our group has a low budget. This website is easy to use and upload onto our blogger. Our group used IndieSound for our evaluation questions and the evaluation of the poster. When using IndieSound in evaluating the poster we were able to go more in depth with our points, and also by speaking rather than writing it were easier to get our points across, so that the examiner would understand us more. We also used IndieSound for our evaluation question. An example of this is in evaluation question 1. By using Indie sound we were able to elaborate how our media text used, developed and challenged the conventions  the genre drama.

Our group also used a camera and tripod. The cameras that we used were an IPhone camera and a Canon EOS 1300D. The Canon EOS 1300D is a good quality camera, By using this type of camera the footage that we captured was clear and we were able to focus more easily on specific parts of our shot because of the lens. We also used the IPhone camera because it was easier to capture shots with motion. We also used the IPhone and the Canon EOS 1300D to take the pictures for the magazine and the poster. This has been beneficial as it has allowed our group capture pictures hat looked professional because of the quality of the camera. Also benefit of using the tripod is that it allowed us not capture shaky cams.

Serif Movie Plus X6: Serif is a programme used to edit video footage. Our group used serif to edit our trailer as it was the programme that we used in year 12. It also the programme that our teacher recommended for use to use as it was bought by the school specifically for media. The benefit of using Serif is that it has many features that would help boost the creativity of our trailer, such as transaction and audio effects. An example of using one of these features is in our trailer. Our trailer begins with a graveyard scene, because the scene is meant to represent a sad atmosphere we wanted to slow the scene down. We were able to do this by using the cross fade colour effect and also make the duration of the scene longer. In effect this helped support the sad atmosphere and made the audience more sympathetic towards the protagonist who lost his mother. A limitation of using Serif is that the programme was very slow and jumped frequently, so it was harder to edit the trailer as we did not know if the scenes we were editing were jumpy because they have not been edited correctly, or because the programme jumped in that particular spot.

Serif Drawplus X6; Our groupe also used serif to create our film poster and magazine. our group was undecided and was not sure if we should use Photoshop CS6 ,or Serif Drawplus, but in the end we chose serif because we thought that it would be an easier  to use compared to Photoshop, and it also had the same features and techniques that Photoshop uses. A benefit of using this programme is that it is a very sophisticated programme that is used to create professional pictures; therefore it had creative techniques that were effective when making our poster ad magazine. For example, the programme was capable of creating layers for our pictures. In effect we were able to separate different aspects of the same picture, and design, alter and shape them so that we get the desired image. Also by using serif it was also easy to export and embed the picture on to our blogs.

WhatsApp: WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service. The application allows the sending of text messages and voice calls, as well as video calls, images and other media documents. The benefit of using WhatsApp is that our group was able to stay in contact with one another; we also created a media group so we can send videos and pictures related to our work as it was easier than using email. A limitation of WhatsApp is that it relies on data and one of our members did not have much data on their phone therefore it limited their use of WhatsApp. However a benefit of WhatApp is that was free so it did not cost us to send messages.

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Evaluation Question 3

Evaluation Question 3

  May 14, 2018

What have you learnt form audience feedback?

Audience feedback has been a vital aspect in the progression and improvement of both our A2 media film trailer and ancillary texts.

Audience feedback is key in the success of films as the audience brings in revenue and makes the work credible of all contributing people in the production. The audience also decides whether the film becomes popular or not - the more people who watch the film, quicker and further the message is spread. As the director, editor or producer, the main aim is to essentially please the audience as this is the reason for making the film. That is why considering the opinion of your audience with their feedback is vital to create a high-quality piece of work that is enjoyed by everyone

Trailer: 

Audience feedback was very important in the development of our trailer. This is because without out audience criticism our group cannot understand how to improve. Audience feedback allows our group to understand a different perspective and understanding when watching our trailer. Even when the feedback is contrary to what we believe we must consider all opinions in order to construct a successful trailer. Our Audience Feedback is not just from our target audience, even though it is constructive to conduct investigations into how our target audience perceives us media text we must also consider the opinions and thoughts of other outside the target audience as they can also provide a useful insight into how our trailer is perceived.

Richard is an 18-year-old middle class boy. He fits into our target audience, so our group asked him to watch out first draft and then asked him what he liked and disliked about our trailer.

First Draft:

One thing that Richard said that we could improve on was the sound. After the video we asked Richard to elaborate a little bit more on what he did not like about the sound, and he said that he did not like the soundtrack and how some of the voices sounded muffled.  This is reinforced by our teacher feedback from Mrs. Fairbrooks who said that sound was an issue, as it sounded muffled and the soundtrack sounded too harsh and brutal for the atmosphere of the trailer

How did we improve?

Sound was a consistent problem throughout the whole process of constructing our trailer. We did not know how to stop the sound from being muffled, so we asked our media teacher and he said that we must dub the sound over the trailer, and this is exactly what we did. We made the actors watch the trailer a couple of times and then asked them to speak into a phone and repeat the words with the same timing as the trailer. We also took Richards advice and changed the song to a copyright free instrumental called 'lights out'. Here are the results:

BEFORE: Here is the audio for our first draft

 AFTER: Here is the audio for our final trailer
 

By listening to Richards, Mrs. Fairbrooks and Mr.Nicholson we were able to improve the sound of our trailer. Also, as Richard represents our target audience his opinion and thoughts helped us change our trailer to make it more appealing to our target audience. We then asked different individuals to watch our improved trailer to see if they liked the corrections. The audience feedback forms suggested that they liked the changes in fact one particular form said that the soundtrack is a amazing.

 When our teacher was watch our first draft she believed that Cameron and Mya were girlfriend and Boyfriend rather than Brother and Sister, and this is the message that we did not put across.  Not only did our teacher believe it but many of our peers who we asked to watch our trailer also believed that they were partners.

How did we improve?

Our group decided to clarify this misunderstanding by using a voiceover of the mum describing how much she loves Cameron and Mya whilst the protagonist and his sister are mourning at the graveyard.

BEFORE:

via ytCropper 

AFTER:

via ytCropper

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT?

 Using the voiceover made a big difference as we no longer have to clarify that they are in a relationship. Our audience feedback allowed our group to identify a problem before we released it to the mass audience. This shows the benefits of audience feedback as we are able to get a different outlook on our trailer, without doing the audience feedback my co-director and I would have released the trailer without the voiceover because in our minds they were brothers and sisters but in the minds of the audience they were perceived to be partners. This once again shows the importance of audience feedback.

Poster

For the film poster, we asked our media teacher to fill out response/review sheets every time we did a draft so that we knew the exact problems from a professional standing and how to deal with them in the most appropriate way. This was our first draft:

This is our teacher's review:

Our teacher said that we were missing the major conventions of a film poster such as a catchy tagline, actors and director’s names need to be credited on poster, and also, we need the age rating and release date.  These elements are very important as they provide the audience with information with the movie. Our group was not able to see the elements that we were missing, therefore by having an outside perspective we were to apply the corrections to make a successful movie trailer.

Even though our group did do research and planning into the conventions of a magazine we got carried away with the creative side and forgot to apply the conventions to our cover. This reinforces the importance of audience feedback. This is because without the direction of our teacher our poster would have not conformed to the conventions of a poster, which could have made it harder for the audience to relate to the movie. Additionally, by following applying the corrections we received from our teacher are poster looks more professional and authentic. Even though the improved poster is not our final draft the feedback we received allowed our group to progress more quickly into creating the final draft that would be released to the mass audience.

Here is what the second draft looked like after some changes:

 Magazine

First Draft:

When creating this magazine cover our group lost sight of the brief and what it was telling us to do. The brief wanted us to create a film poster, however our group created a general magazine inspired by the magazine GQ. As a result, our magazine does not reflect a film magazine.

We asked our teacher to complete as audience feedback form, so we could understand the corrections that needs to be made to create a successful poster. Even though our trailer did not reflect a film magazine our teacher gave us tips on how to improve. However as a group we decided to start fresh, however keep the colour scheme and photo. The reason why is because our magazine does not truly reflect a film magazine and the youth culture.

Here is the feedback form:

This is reinforced by faith who gave use feedback on how effect our trailer, poster and magazine cover was in promoting our movie, 'Modern Descartes'.

Faith said that the magazine did not work together well with the trailer and poster and we agreed with faith as the magazine does not look like it was targeted towards young people. As a result we decided to change aspects of our magazine that would reflect the youth culture, but at the same time promote the movie, ‘Modern Descartes’. Therefore we changed the magazine cover to this:

 

This shows the importance of audience feedback because without Faiths input I would not have been able to truly understand a different perspective and how another person’s perception may be different to mine.

Through the feedback that we received from Faith our group realised that the magazine that we created was not identifiable to our target audience and does not truly reflect the movie Modern Descartes. After the video we asked Faith to elaborate on what she specifically did not like about the magazine. She stated, ' The magazine looks like it was targeted more towards adults than young adults.' So, to change this our group got rid of the sign 'men's issue' as it makes the magazine appear that it is targeting men. We also included the title of our film on the cover, in the font of cold spaghetti BTN across the main image as it shows the audience that this magazine is promoting 'Modern Descartes' this is reinforced as the main image is of Euan Cleland who plays the protagonist in the film. We also introduced a strip of movies along the front of the magazine, these are fake movies that we created. By adding these movies, it reflects the conventions of a film magazine as they usually put upcoming movies on the cover. It also identifiable to our target audience because all the pictures have young people in them, which represents how the magazine is targeted towards the youth. We kept the same colour scheme because we thought the colour red represents excitement and danger. It is also eye catching to the audience.

Research and Planning

One form of feedback that we used in our research and planning was questionnaires.

Questionnaires:

My preferred way of getting audience feedback was through questionnaires as it does not put much pressure on the audience therefore results are more likely to be accurate and true, questionnaires can be designed by using closed questions with yes or no answers or open where the audience can comment on what their opinion is. As our film was not a Hollywood Blockbuster, the scale of people we asked were much smaller than that of a big film. An example of this was the questionnaire we gave out about the style of music for our trailer:

How has it helped to improve our work?

This was extremely helpful as we discovered that many people preferred Hip-Hop music which would work very well with the urban setting of our trailer. Due to this, we were able to narrow down our choices and decide on the song 'Light's On' as the backing track. Also Through this questionnaire we were able to choose a song that was appealing to our target audience which will make them want to come and watch the movie.

How has it helped to improve your work?

You can see that there is a drastic difference between the first and last draft of our poster. This suggests that it isn't enough to just rely on your own knowledge and justifications for creating something in a certain way - it will not have the desired effect if not done correctly. It also proves that everybody's opinion is different, and you will sometimes need to gather several to discover different ideas and suggestions from different people - you can then choose whether you need or want to use them. If not for our teachers review, we wouldn't have noticed or been able to address the issues that were pointed out by her which would have resulted in a lesser-quality product.

Conclusion

Over the course of developing our trailer, poster and magazine cover we found that audience feedback was very beneficial to us. We were able to talk to our target audience and get constructive criticism that helped provide new ideas and a different outlook on our media texts. We were also fortunate enough to get feedback from our teacher who could look at things from a more professional point of view. Because of this, we could improve our media texts through several different drafts before producing our final pieces. This feedback has helped us to understand that there will always be something that you can change to make it more appealing to the target audience. Audience feedback allowed us to make the necessary changes, so that our media texts was not influenced by our subjective judgments alone.

Evaluation Question2