Script for Soundcloud file:
The use of new technologies was
key to the creation of both my music video and ancillary texts. I used a range
of technology which I had used previously and also had never used before
allowing me to use past experience whilst gaining first hand knowledge of how
to implement these new technologies and see first hand the diverse effect they
had on my media products. As times move forward the role of technology is
becoming increasingly important throughout the world of media, with
technological advances and creations providing advancements over competition.
The use of key technologies was essential for the creation of my media products
to the highest and most professional of standards. I used new technologies in
all elements of production including construction, research, planning and
finally evaluation purposes.
In terms of technology one of the most influential pieces of equipment I used was the Drift Innovation Ghost S Waterproof Full HD 1080p Sports Action Camera which allowed me to create a crisp film for my music video. One beneficial element of the Drift Camera was the ability to create our action shots without the risk of the camera falling off the harness and breaking, in addition to the fish eye lens which could capture wide shots throughout and rotate 160 degrees giving us the ability for a horizontal angle of filming when it was harnessed on any person.
For the photographs for our Digipak and magazine advert, we used the Canon EOS 650D DSLR camera to produce a number of different photographs using various lenses and the zoom feature. Furthermore I experimented with both manual and automatic focus features enabling me to create creative photos which would add to the digipak and magazine adverts individuality. The use of the diverse lighting settings and the manual focus gave me the ability to produce a ghostly looking photo which enhances the house music genre.
In the post production stage of creating my media products Final cut pro was an essential tool in helping to create firstly the music video as well as enabling me to edit key feedback videos. The large amounts of footage which I shot meant that Final cut pro as an editing tool was essential in breaking up key parts of footage which I would include in the video. The advanced technology of the software meant that I could edit the film, import the MP3 track as well as creating visually stimulating transitions and special effects such as slow motion. Furthermore the use of this software allowed basic and essential continuity editing such as the inclusion of smooth and unnoticeable transitions.
I used Photoshop throughout the development of both the magazine advert and digipak. The use of Photoshop allowed me to adjust and alter images to make them perfect this included fading images for the back cover and song booklet inside the digipak, furthermore the 'Eraser' tool allowed me to remove blemishes from the images used for both ancillary texts which made the overall product cleaner and more professional looking. Another specific example of the implementation of Photoshop was its use to alter the colouration upon the band members face due to the shots being taken on a particularly cold day.
Fireworks was key in the design and development of the production/band logo, we used the logo from our artist Goldstar, and from there we used negative colourways to produce a blurred yet 3D effect. This we then also used in our digipak in the section where the CD would be placed, as in real media texts such as Muse, they also use their logo as their CD holder.
The internet was of paramount importance during the research stages of production, I used a range of internet to gain a variety of results when researching. The three main internet sources I used were Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. To make the task of research easier the use of search engines saved a lot of time and was a key way of discovering research effectively and efficiently. I used both Google and Bing for research purposes, the 'images' sections of both search engines were particularly useful when gathering images of professional magazine adverts and digipaks which I used for influence and comparison to my own products.
I used YouTube mainly to locate house music videos which I could take influence
from. I looked for key conventions within these videos and then manipulated and
changed them with creative flair to include in my own music video. For example
in Avicii's "The Nights" he also uses a first person view in all his
shots, which we recreated for our own video, hence it relating to the house
music genre.
Soundcloud was a key part of research as it allowed me to research the indie-rock genre specifically and discover bands which would influence my own products. Furthermore the most important element of Soundcloud is that it allowed me to locate Goldstar's page and from their select the song and album which I would base my music video and promotional package around. I also used soundcloud myself for evaluation question 4 because it gives a more personal imput from myself to my viewer on how ive used these different technologies.
I used Microsoft PowerPoint for my evaluation question 2. I used PowerPoint because it allowed me to compile a large amount of text and images and present them in an aesthetically pleasing formation. The simplicity and ease of use is what drew me to using PowerPoint for my evaluations. After I had completed the PowerPoints I then uploaded them to Slideshare which allowed me to share them on various formats, most importantly my blog. Slideshare was an easy way of presenting my PowerPoint which displayed it exactly how I had created it, furthermore it is easy for people to view my evaluation questions
I used prezi for my evaluation question 1, I chose to use prezi because of its ease of use and effectiveness in displaying both text, images and video. One feature of prezi which was beneficial over the likes of Microsoft PowerPoint was the 'Insert' selection which allowed me to import pictures form my files and directly from Google as well as uploading YouTube videos from my channel. Another positive aspect of prezi is its ease of upload to sites such as blogger which is where all my evaluations are placed, furthermore once prezi has been uploaded the viewing process is very simple and uncomplicated for viewers.
I used Blogger for my evaluation question 3 because overall blogger was key to all aspects of my production process including: Construction, Research, Planning and Evaluation. The use of a blog enabled me to track all the work I had completed, having all of my work in one place made access and the overall production process very easy. All aspects of production were placed on the group blog, most importantly the final music video and ancillary texts as well as my four individual evaluation questions. Without blogger enabling me to keep my work together and in the same place I very much doubt the products I produced would be at the level they are. Blogger's simplicity of use was key to my success with it and major factors was the ease of uploading various different forms of work whether it be pictures, text or even a YouTube video. The continuous use of blogger week in week out allows me to see the progress I have made over time as an individual and part of a group.
