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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