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

Throughout the duration of producing my A2 coursework, I have relied heavily on the use of media technologies as a form of research, planning and production in order to successfully produce a trailer, magazine cover and film poster.

One of the fundamental platforms being WordPress (a blog style website to present our coursework). We utilized many websites on the internet in order to conduct research on narrative theories, target audiences, conventions and our trailer deconstructions.

To further enhance our secondary research for our target audience, we used a website called SurveyMonkey to collect primary research to determine which genre to choose.

These were then distributed through social media and email in order to gain a range of successful feedback and provide us with reliable research.

This was possible due to our prior knowledge of different websites and programmes, making the process much easier when producing work on a website such as PowToon which can prove to be quite difficult to use.

The work showcased on our blogs include technologies such as Prezi, used for our focus group and target audience, as well as SlideShare, used for narrative theories and trailer deconstructions, as well as word documents to also present deconstructions.

With all of these technologies we have been able to creatively display our coursework, however, I would have preferred to incorporate further platforms and elements if we had had further time in order to add more dimension to our research and planning in particular.

Within our group we found strengths in different areas which enabled us to use a wide range of technology across the research, planning and production.

Whilst some deconstructions were completed on PowerPoint and SlideShare such as ‘Sixth Sense’, others were on word such as ‘Paranormal Activity 4’ which meant we were utilizing many media platforms.

Using word to produce any written work and PDF’s to scan in our storyboards, we were using a range of technologies, some less complicated than others.

As well as using presentation programmes such as Prezi and SlideShare for research and planning, I also incorporated these into my evaluation and added some technology to avoid writing four uninteresting essays. The layout and style of programmes such as Prezi and PowToon add a slight alteration in the usual essay format of work, giving our blog a slightly more appealing and professional appearance.

During production we were using a tripod to steady our camera, the Canon 11D, in order to create a professional quality of footage, both were essential in the production of our trailer. If I were able to I would have loved to have used a higher definition camera but due to facilities this was not possible, however the footage is still steady and well framed due to the use of a tripod whilst filming.

Screenshots from the trailer. (Right)

As seen in our filming process, at times we used our initiative to adapt to the scenario and utilizing object around us e.g. a baby stroller, to create a certain camera movement or shot. Of course, a vital part of the production is the editing in which a substantial amount of work was put in to making a clean final trailer.

We were utilizing the several filters and colour adjustments to create the desired effect, for example, to signify a past event, as well as to correct some of the footage which was too dark.

Furthermore, we were adding text titles and cutting the footage in correlation to the music and sound effects to successfully build tension and drama.

We had used the Serif MoviePlus X6 editing software in last year’s coursework which meant the process was much quicker and easier due to our previous experience.

However there were some areas which we needed improvement in such as sound and needed to teach our selves some of the new techniques such as the pitch and volume adjustments.

As well as rewinding the footage backwards for visual and metaphorical effect, we also used flickering motions for the text titles to create a ghostly ambience along with the menacing and unsettling use of sound effects for every text title.

Similarly, when producing our poster and magazine covers, we had no experience using Photoshop and so it took an incredibly long time to work our way through the difficult tools and layout of the programme.

With much practice I was eventually able to use several of the tools, predominantly the magic lasso, magic wand, layers and channels, and the simpler pencil and rubber tools.

Adding texts and other images proved challenging at times especially when attempting to merge two faces together for my magazine cover, however, it proved successful and worth the effort.

The final products were to a high standard and engaged the audience’s eye, a vital factor. With certain tools I was able to edit a photo completely and

produce an entirely new image which appeared both professional and aesthetic.

In conclusion, media technologies are the most important aspect of our portfolio and play an immense role in the successfulness of our product.

Whilst it has been challenging adapting to new platforms it has also been extremely rewarding and enjoyable using new programmes and seeing a finished product after spending many hours of work.

By using technology such as YouTube we are able to share this success in finishing our portfolio, whether it is successful or not, I believe we as a group have used several technologies and devoted many hours to attempting something we have very little experience with. Overall, the media technologies have been crucial in this journey and although I have mentioned the main areas, I have not covered every single media used and its every purpose and use, as this would be an extremely prolonged essay.