Q4) How did you use media terminologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

By Fiona Grafen

Research

When researching various music genres and videos, as I used a number of different media technologies such as Blogger, YouTube, YouTube annotations, Slide Rocket, Prezi and screen grabs.

Here are examples of each of them:

Screen grabs from Youtube

I have made use of media technologies in conducting my research so as to make it visually attractive and easy for the viewer to understand.

The technologies I have found particularly useful are Prezi and Slide Rocket:

• Prezi allows information to be structured in a simple way so that I can describe the research I have carried out in the different areas of this project and the viewer can follow the structure easily by moving between the arrows.

• Slide Rocket is a sophisticated way of presenting work, and, since the slides can be put together online, is also more efficient than uploading powerpoint .

Planning

When planning our media video and ancillary task we used Blogger to describe the planning stages for our concepts as they progressed towards the final pieces.

Digi Pack:

The Digi Pack below illustrates our initial ideas when we were planning the album cover and considering what connections we might make between our music genre and our artist’s appearance, and sketching out which panels to fit.

At first we thought about challenging the conventions of a Disco Pop genre by using an extreme close up of an eye: the idea came to us because our piece is based around emotions and emotions are most clearly expressed in a person’s eyes .

In the initial planning phase for the Digi pack and the advert, we considered creating scenes which combined some different characters in different scenarios. The main actor would represent someone living a life of freedom from hassle and stress, of someone not giving in to pressures. The other characters would provide the contrast.

With this in mind when we came to create the plan for our advert design, we thought about including all the characters in our piece, and using Photoshop as a tool to bring it all together.

However, after researching media adverts, when we came to creating our advert, we decided it would look arresting and more professional if we based it on the main artist instead of on everyone.

Our initial draft plan was to have been constructed as follows:This advert will be created using Photoshop. It will consist of 8 layers as follows:

• Background layer ( Fence)• Layer 1 ( Main actor- Scott Wells)• Layer 2 ( Interrogation character)• Layer 3 ( Work character)• Layer 4 ( Dancer 1)• Layer 5 (Dancer 2)• Layer 6 ( Punch bag and fist ( Opacity to be lowered))• Layer 7 (black background to the writing)• Layer 8 ( Text layer " FRAMES,NOT GIVING IN SINGLE OUT JULY 2013")

This advert design was intended to include all the characters, but whilst the main actor would be highlighted prominently in colour, the supporting characters would be in black and white. The fence as the background layer represented the way in which all the supporting characters were sitting on the fence, undecided whether to give in to pressure, or resist.

Subsequently, we decided to focus the advert cover on the main artist instead of using the other characters. We think that this will be more effective in drawing attention to him and placing importance on the freedom he epitomises.

In the planning phase, we also considered locations, costumes, and tools, such as Photoshop, Green Screen, track permission letters animatic, song detail plus lyric annotation, concept, image annotation, roles and story board. We were aware whilst experimenting with different approaches, that our media concept would evolve from our original ideas.

Construction

We knew that when it came to constructing our music video and ancillary task we would have to make sure we had all equipment booked out for the day we needed to film.

Clearly, we had also to keep in mind that a still shot looks better than a jumpy one. To solve this problem we used a fig rig to hold the shot steady.

When editing we used final cut and Imovie to import. However, when importing images we used Iphoto to install all the images on to the computer. We used Da font to pick out titles and fonts for our album cover, and Photoshop to pull it all together.

When we wanted to use a ‘slow shutter speed’ we required a tripod to hold the camera steady. This was particularly important when attempting to capture the movement of the Poi. Poi are performance art equipment of Maori origin, consisting of small tethered light balls that change colour and when moved about using slow shutter speed they create interesting patterns and colours.

As well as guidance from the teacher, we sought audience feedback throughout to get an idea of what a wider group thought of our media work.

Development time line of the Digi pack from first draft through to final draft:

Development time line of the Advert Cover from first draft through to final draft.

Evaluation

The technique I have used most to make this super visual is screen capture. I also found it helpful to compare our text to real media text. In doing so as a group we came to challenge some of the concepts, and were influenced by others.

In my blog I have used Slide rocket and screen grabs to make the presentation attractive and easy to follow.

Throughout the project, I have used a range of mediums: I have learned new techniques, and I have also applied some techniques I was already familiar with from my basic portfolio work. I have even brought to bear skills from other subjects such as photography to enhance this project.