Evaluation Question 4

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

I used many media technologies throughout my course, including Youtube, social networking sites, Blogger, computer programmes and camera equipment in order to create my final music video, digipack and poster. All these media technologies were very useful and helped me to create something of industry standard.

YouTube has been an essential part throughout my course. In research and planning, I used YouTube to research existing music videos of all genres, and then focused on my chosen genre of acoustic and indie. By looking at existing music videos, I was able to focus on the codes and conventions of the genre at an early stage. These conventions included the use of costumes, props and locations. Also, I uploaded videos of my animatic, time lapse experiment, equipment video and auditions, which are now broadcast to a worldwide audience. Additionally, I used YouTube in my evaluation as I used a movie format for an evaluation question, so it is was more appeal than reading it on a blog. 

Social networking was key to all stages of the course. Firstly, we used sites such as Facebook to contact our actors and actresses, therefore making it easy to organise which days you were going to film. Facebook was also used as a target audience, as I posted a survey during the research and planning stages to see people’s favourite aspects of music, particularly linked to props, location and narration. Additionally, once I had uploaded my music video to YouTube, I put a link on my Facebook page making my music video more accessible to find and also to receive feedback.

I used Blogger since the start of the course to show my progress throughout planning, researching, construction and evaluation. I also customised my blog so it looked more attractive and appealing so people would want to read it more. 

Equipment was also key throughout the course. This includes a Canon 7D camera, a Mac computer and MacBook (along with a mouse, keyboard and screen) with the programs Final Cut Pro, After Effects, InDesign and Photoshop on it. This software and hardware thoroughly helped to create effects of industry standard, such as cutting the clips to the beat of the song, which is essential for a music video. On Final Cut Pro, I was also able to add effects, such as light leaks to make it look more professional. If technology were not so advanced, I would have faced many problems, which consequently would have altered the quality of my music video.