Q4. How did you use media technologies in the

construction and research, planning and evaluation

stages?

Media technologies used in the construction and research, planning and

evaluation stages:

Blogger Google chrome

Photoshop

Final cut pro

WordPhotoshop

Excel

FacebookTwitter

Media technologies used for research

How I used Google Chrome

When initially researching for my coursework I used both Google Chrome and YouTube. Once I had established

that I wanted to base my coursework on the Indie Pop genre, I used google to research ‘what is the indie pop

genre?’ to which I used web searches and image searches to establish what the indie pop genre is. I then

created a document which stated what the formal conventions of a music video are and what the

conventions of an indie pop music video are, which are stated in the next slide:

These two documents were the first things I researched and created, this is so I knew what the genre was that I wanted to base my coursework on, so I had to complete

this before any of my planning.

Media technologies used for research

Conventions of the indie pop genre

Media technologies used for research

Formal conventions of music video

How I used YouTube

Media technologies used for research

When researching for my music video I used the web page YouTube. Once I had established the genre I wanted to use I made sure I searched for artists that are in this genre and listened to their music and watched their music videos on YouTube. This helped me to establish things like editing, cinematography and mise-en-scene of indie pop music

videos, which helped with all of the planning and creating of my ancillary text and music video.

How I used Blogger and Excel

Media technologies used for research

When researching my music video I decided to add a blog poll to my blogger website, in order to gain enough research and information about the indie

pop genre and music videos. Questions on my blog poll were those such as: are you male or female?,

how old are you?, do you watch music videos?, how do you watch music videos, what is your favourite genre of music?. When the questions on my blog poll where answered by members of the general

public, I entered the results into an excel document, then creating a pie chart to show the results. These

are the pie charts that were created from my results:

Media technologies used for research

How I used Facebook and Twitter

After completing my music video I uploaded it to social network sites in order to gain feedback. In terms of

Facebook I uploaded my video and asked people to ‘like’ the post if they liked the video, also leaving a comment

with feedback. When I uploaded my music video to Twitter I asked people to reply to the post with feedback.

This helped me when researching the feedback for my music video as the people that I am friends with on Facebook and who follow me on twitter are my age,

therefore my target audience. Because of this I am able to take their feedback into consideration and use it.

Media technologies used for planningHow I used Photoshop

One of the media technologies I used when planning for my music video and ancillary texts was the

programme Photoshop. When making my reader profile I used Photoshop to add my images together. I felt that by using this programme my reader profile looked a lot more professional, as I was able to use

the erase tool to erase the background of my images so the main background of my reader profile was able to stand out. The following slide shows my

reader profile:

Media technologies used for planning

When creating my reader profile I used images that I feel suit the indie pop genre (e.g. very bright, clothes, music, festivals, make up etc.). The information stated within my reader profile is fictional information, however information that I think

very much applies to the indie pop genre.

Media technologies used for planningHow I used Photoshop

Another way in which I used Photoshop during the planning of my music video would be when I was

planning the makeup for my music video. I did this in a very unique way. I found an image on google of a model with absolutely no makeup on, I then used

Photoshop tools to add makeup to the image of the model of which I wanted to do in my music video.

The following slides describe and explain the process by which I did this:

This helped me with the planning of my music video as I was able to plan the artists appearance in several different ways, meaning I was able to

visualise what the artist would look like and what would look best.

1 This is the image that I will be

using, the main focus of the image is the

models face and she is wearing no makeup, which makes applying makeup using

photo shop easier.

2The first thing I do is duplicate the layer that contains the

image of my model. I do this so there are two layers, altering the top

layer.

3

Secondly, I add a filter on the top layer, using the blur tool to add a

Gaussian blur at the radius of 20.5 pixels.

I then add a layer mask onto the top layer which is now currently blurred. This will make the square next to the

image on the layer copy appear, which I will then use the fill tool to make it

appear black, which will turn the image back to normal (non-blurred).

4

When my image is back to normal I will select the

brush tool in the colour white, with

the hardness percentage at

0%. Then lowering the capacity to

around 30 – 50 %.

65

Using the white brush tool to colour all of the skin visible it brings out the

blurred filter slightly, making the skin appear smoother.

From this To this

7

Finally when altering the skin, I will create a series of layers

using the paint tool of different skin tones to even out the tone of the models

skin.

8

Secondly I will alter the lips of my model, making it look like she is

wearing lipstick. I use the lasso tool to select the lips.

Once selected I add a filter to the lips, selecting artistic and

then plastic wrap. Which causes the effect on the right to appear

on the lips.

9 10

I then go to image and adjust the image, raising the brightness,

once this is done I move this layer behind its duplicate. 11

I then use the paint tool on a dark red colour and several

lighter colours to paint the lips on a separate layer, I then

lower the capacity of the layer to make it look more natural.

12

Thirdly, I will alter the eye colour of the model. I use the lasso tool

to select the pupil of the eye.

I then save this selection under the name of something like ‘right eye’ or ‘left eye’, then pressing

ok, I will then load the selection.

13 14

I will then alter the hue and lightness of the selected areas, which alters the colour of her pupils. Finally using the blur tool to make the alteration

appear natural.

15

Next I will alter the eye makeup/eye brows. I will use the eye drop tool to copy the colour of her hair, then using the paint brush tool to ‘paint’ on the eyebrows, making sure to

copy the original shape.

I then lower the opacity of the layer, in order for the colouring and filling of the eyebrows to

look more natural.

16

17

Finally using the paint brush tool to add additional shaping and filling of

different shades to the eyebrow.

When starting with the eye makeup I use the paint brush tool in the colour black

and add a layer to the bottom eye socket. Then lowering the opacity of this

layer to 40%.

18 Also further adding a black cat eye layer. I then use the same black paint brush

tool to add eye liner of

different shades of black and

opacities all around the

eye.

19

This is the final result once I have fully edited the image. I do not want my model to look this edited, I was

simply using this to practice my photo shop skills.

20

Media technologies used for planning

How I used Prezi

When planning for my music video I used the website Prezi, which is a cloud-based

presentation software and storytelling tool. I used Prezi to create presentations for things such as: the lyric analysis of my song, the

costume and makeup in the video, the history of music videos, the results of the blog poll, health and safety, the prop list and location list and the pictures taken

during the ancillary text photo shoot. When using Prezi I was able to establish a theme and colour scheme for my music video and

all research and planning. Prezi made planning easy as I was able to easily upload

images, YouTube videos, text, music, symbols and shapes.

Media technologies used for planning

How I used Slide Share and PowerPoint

I also used the web programme Slide Share to create presentations for the research and planning of my music

video. When creating slide shares you upload a PowerPoint presentation,

which meant I could personalise it to suit the planning. I used Slide Share

when creating my textual analysis 'and a detailed process of adding nail

varnish to my models pictures using Photoshop. I used this programme as

the presentation that was created was very easy to navigate for the audience,

and I was able to create the presentation that I wanted to as I know

how to use PowerPoint.

Media technologies used for construction

How I used Final Cut Pro

When constructing my music video I used the Apple programme Final Cut Pro. I used this

programme as I felt it was a simple programme that would give me the best results when

creating my music video. I found the process of constructing a video on Final Cut Pro very easy, from uploading my chosen song onto my Final

Cut Pro file, through to adding edits to my clips. Using this programme clearly helped me as it lead to the construction of my music video. I

added coloured effects on the top of my footage, also slowing down and speeding up footage,

reversing footage and adding glowing lights on top of my footage. This programme helped me

achieve the look I wanted when constructing my music video.