'How did you use new media technology in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Research
In the research stage we used http://en.wikipedia.org to inform us about our chosen genre punk rock. We had preconceived notions to what the genre entailed however; we wanted to view a detailed definition of the genre on a world wide website because it holds a global view. According to Wikipedia punk rock music is defined as the following:
Using YouTube enabled me the opportunity to view a punk rock music video which I would not have seen played on current TV because it was released in 1979. From viewing the music video I was able to view the use of live instrumentation was significant in setting the tone of the video and it was a common convention of the genre.
I downloaded images taken by a SLR camera via www.hotmail.co.uk onto Adobe Photoshop CS3 to create the poster and digi-pack. We used a SLR camera as opposed to a digital camera because it produces better quality images and the most professional equipment for image capture we could obtain. As a group we took turns taking photographs of the band and Catherine then emailed me the photographs for editing because I have previous Photoshop experience. I created the poster and digi-pak on Photoshop based on individual hand drawn mock ups. The mock-ups were useful to work from because everybody had inputted their ideas which lead to a specific format that we wanted to achieve. Photoshop was a useful programme to use because it allowed me to hide layers or add layers to change how I could use a product and it also offerered features such as the lasso tool which is not founded on programmes such as paint. In addition, I was also allowed to manipulate images using Photoshop for example; I converted the front image of the digi-pak to greyscale because it provided a contrast to the red title font and empashised the band were 'social' animals. Overall, the use of the greyscale was effective because it allowed us to explore how colour impacts our product.
Microsoft word was used to help format the photographs edited in Adobe Photoshop into a digi-pak layout. It was a good programme to use because it effectively made our product look like a real digi-pak however, when it was initially used it changed the settings of our photographs therefore a lot of time was spent making sure it was the right dimensions.
Research
In the research stage we used http://en.wikipedia.org to inform us about our chosen genre punk rock. We had preconceived notions to what the genre entailed however; we wanted to view a detailed definition of the genre on a world wide website because it holds a global view. According to Wikipedia punk rock music is defined as the following:
From this definition I was able to discover when punk rock music was developed and where, giving me further understanding of the genre. Moreover, I found the use of Wikipedia as my first research source to be effective because it lead me into further exploration of the music genre on the website. I began to research bands/artists of the music genre and found bands such as ‘The Ramones’, ‘Sex Pistols’ and ‘The Clash’ belonged to the punk rock music genre. To find the iconic bands previously mentioned belonged to our chosen music genre made me aware that we have successful role models to base the ‘Social Animal’ on.
Furthermore, I used the video-sharing site YouTube to research the codes and conventions of a punk rock music video. The video below is an example of a music video I have viewed
Following on from this, I used http://www.unsigned.com to research current unsigned punk rock bands/artists and found the song ‘First Class Killer’ by All She Said.
Overall, I found this site to be useful because I was able to view bands/artists on a national and global scale. From doing this I came to the realisation that the band that I wanted to create would have to potentially meet the needs and expectations of both national and global audiences because sites like unsigned.com offers the platform to do this.
We decided to use iMovie to detail our research findings in the form of a documentary. (documentary found on blog)
iMovie was used because we believed it would be an effective way to communicate what we had found and learnt throughout the research process. iMovie enabled us to import video clips from YouTube and use editing features found on iMovie such as fade in and fade out simultaneously. The making of the documentary furthered my knowledge in how to use iMovie and the voice over feature. In the documentary I did the voice over and initially it was challenging to make sure my timing was correct but I overcame this in the end by shortening clips and reworking the script.
We initially used a SLR camera to capture images for the music video storyboard however, some members of the group believed it would be easier to hand draw the storyboard. I found a template from www.google.co.uk because I wanted my template to look as professional as possible. The use of this website informed us there was a variety of storyboards which we could use and 3 different types was used in the end. The final view of the majority of the group was that using new technology would have been more efficient because I had to use the scanner to upload all of the individual storyboards onto the Macs and then email it to everyone on www.hotmail.co.uk. It could be considered hand drawn storyboards wasted time however; it reinforced to me the benefits of new technology such as efficiency.
To plan meeting times and to share media we used the social networking site www.facebook.com. Facebook was significant in the construction of all our products because we were able to input our individual ideas from various locations. Also, Facebook was used to contact cast members and this was useful because it at times it was my only form of contact for them.
Planning
We initially used a SLR camera to capture images for the music video storyboard however, some members of the group believed it would be easier to hand draw the storyboard. I found a template from www.google.co.uk because I wanted my template to look as professional as possible. The use of this website informed us there was a variety of storyboards which we could use and 3 different types was used in the end. The final view of the majority of the group was that using new technology would have been more efficient because I had to use the scanner to upload all of the individual storyboards onto the Macs and then email it to everyone on www.hotmail.co.uk. It could be considered hand drawn storyboards wasted time however; it reinforced to me the benefits of new technology such as efficiency.To plan meeting times and to share media we used the social networking site www.facebook.com. Facebook was significant in the construction of all our products because we were able to input our individual ideas from various locations. Also, Facebook was used to contact cast members and this was useful because it at times it was my only form of contact for them.
Construction
We used a JVC video camera to construct our music video we were able to film an array of shots such as long shots and medium shots with this. Using a video camera meant we were restricted to filming 90 minutes at a time so we had to make sure we used our shooting schedules to save time. However, it could be said the video camera was a vital element in the construction of our music video because we were also able to use it to upload clips onto iMovie.
iMovie was used to edit the clips uploaded by the video camera, I have had previous experience of using iMovie in my first year However, when editing the music video I felt I discovered new ways to use iMovie. I experimented with image manipulation using an effect called ‘romance’ to highlight the female character as a love interest and the feedback from the group was positive so we decided to keep this effect. Due to it being met with a positive reaction this showed me that if editing is purposeful it can convey a sense of meaning.
I downloaded images taken by a SLR camera via www.hotmail.co.uk onto Adobe Photoshop CS3 to create the poster and digi-pack. We used a SLR camera as opposed to a digital camera because it produces better quality images and the most professional equipment for image capture we could obtain. As a group we took turns taking photographs of the band and Catherine then emailed me the photographs for editing because I have previous Photoshop experience. I created the poster and digi-pak on Photoshop based on individual hand drawn mock ups. The mock-ups were useful to work from because everybody had inputted their ideas which lead to a specific format that we wanted to achieve. Photoshop was a useful programme to use because it allowed me to hide layers or add layers to change how I could use a product and it also offerered features such as the lasso tool which is not founded on programmes such as paint. In addition, I was also allowed to manipulate images using Photoshop for example; I converted the front image of the digi-pak to greyscale because it provided a contrast to the red title font and empashised the band were 'social' animals. Overall, the use of the greyscale was effective because it allowed us to explore how colour impacts our product.Microsoft word was used to help format the photographs edited in Adobe Photoshop into a digi-pak layout. It was a good programme to use because it effectively made our product look like a real digi-pak however, when it was initially used it changed the settings of our photographs therefore a lot of time was spent making sure it was the right dimensions.www.dafont.com was used because we didn’t want to be constricted to using a simple font found on Microsoft word. I downloaded the font used for the title on the digi-pak and poster for free and this allowed be to be creative with the font by replacing words with paw prints to symbolise the identity of the band.
Evaluation
I decided to upload a video of me discussing what I have learnt from audience feedback onto YouTube. I chose to use YouTube because I believe what I have learnt could be used for educational purposes on the global video-sharing site and it is also interactive. From the creation of the music video I have learnt how to gratify the uses and needs of an audience and according to my research into McQuail’s theory entertainment is an audience need. The research influenced me to use this need when creating my evaluation into audience feedback video.
In addition, I used www.xtranormal.com to create a text to speech animated clip to introduce each headings of the evaluation. I decided to use xtranormal because I have not used it before and I wanted to put a creative spin on everyday text. xtranormal allowed me to upload clips onto YouTube and from this I learnt I can share media from one site onto another.
Moreover, I have used blogger throughout all stages from research to evaluation. Blogger has been a very useful website because I have been able to create a blog and publish posts. Having an online blog allows me to access it from sixth form or home on any device such as my laptop or iPhone. The accessibility of the website highlighted to me the power of the internet and how it can be used to gain audiences in the form on ‘followers’. On Blogger I am able to view followers of blogs and also enable those in my group to view my blog in order to share media.
Lots of detail here Asia, which is good! I would reorder the first secion - research, planning and construction - it just follows the process more. Good use of examples showing a thoughtful process - I would like to see the away you have manipulated the image in iMovie.
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