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

2. Throughout the stages of my production, I had to use several
different technologies. Some of which I was familiar with and some I
had never used before. I had to use a variety of technological
equipment from both hardware and software. Some things were quite
straightforward for example using programmes such as Adobe
InDesign and Photoshop. These were not a problem as I had known
the basics of how to function them from last year and I was able to
use my skills to create my digipack. However what I found difficult
was how to use a video camera in my primary stages but I managed
to soon get the hang of it after practicing to use it for our preliminary
activity.

3. Research and Planning
Hardware
In my research and planning section, I used the internet search engines most of the time
to research more into my artist and a few comparable artists. One website I went on was
YouTube, where I was then able to look at a few music videos and that had related to
Leyton’s music and begin analysing them. As well as this, we also had the chance to
use the school’s video camera where we then filmed our chase sequence for our
preliminary exercise. This was a good filming experience as we were able to practice
holding the camera and creating different shots through camera handling before going
out to film for our music video. PC’s and MAC’s were also used in the process of
research and planning in order for us to get our work done and blogs updated.
Software
Within the research and planning of our work, I used Microsoft word a lot. Before putting
anything on my blog, I would type it up in Microsoft word and copy and paste it into a
post. The research and planning consisted of creating a treatment that had to be created
on a word document as we kept making several changes to it and drafting it, in order to
make it up to our satisfactory needs. We also used a software on the iMac called ‘Final
Cut Pro’. At first I was unfamiliar with this software but soon after we got a handout
guiding us on how to use it and a small tutorial which was very helpful, gaining us the
knowledge to function this programme as practice after making our preliminary exercise.

4. Construction
Hardware
The construction section was mainly where I put my research and planning into action.
Throughout this stage, I used several amounts of hardware. Firstly a video camera to
film footage of our music video in both the narrative and performance element. We also
used a still camera to take some photographs of the artist and his friends performing at
Southbank skate park. These photos were what I was later going to use to create a
digipack. As we were constantly travelling, each of our groups used a mobile device to
contact each other on, so that we knew when and where to meet. Throughout the editing
process, we had to use a hardrive to keep all our work on, this was then processed onto
an iMac another piece of hardware used in order for us to create our music video.
Software
The software’s that we used throughout the construction stages were Final Cut Pro, a
programme that we had to use in order to edit our music video. This was a programme
that needed getting used to and the more practice we did, the more we became
familiarised with it. We also used Adobe InDesign and Photoshop to create our digipack.
First we were to create our CD cover front/back and booklet on Photoshop, then we had
to bring it all together on InDesign to make it look more professional. I think that I
understood Photoshop a bit more even though both the programmes were quite similar.

5. Evaluation Process
Hardware
In my evaluation process, I used a computer which was vital in order
for me to answer my four main evaluation questions. As well as this, I
used YouTube to get print screens of my artist Leyton and
comparable artists to show how they relate to each other. As well as
this I used a mobile phone to video some feedback that could be put
into my evaluation.
Software
The three main programmes that were utilized in my evaluation were
firstly Microsoft PowerPoint, as this is what I used to do my
evaluation on. This was then uploaded on to slide share and put up
onto my blog, Secondly Microsoft Excel which I used to create pie
charts for audience feedback which would then be placed onto my
PowerPoint and lastly Paint which was sometimes used when print
screening pictures which would then be cropped and place into my
PowerPoint as well.

6. Overall, I believe that after using a numerous amount of hardware
and software throughout my production, I am able to have more of an
understanding on how they function and I have been able to gain
more of an experience when it comes to using a video camera and
filming as well as using programmes such as ‘Final Cut Pro’ that I
was once unfamiliar of.