Question 4: How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

 The Internet was extremely helpful in all areas of this project, from doing research, making my music video, and creating my digipak and my advert. I was able to access different websites such as Polypore (www.polyvore.co.uk) where I created ideal outfits which my audience members may wear, similar to my band members. Another website is DaFonts (www.dafonts.com) where I was able to find a font to fit my genre from a variety of different types. Most importantly Blogger, where I was able to track my progress and keep up to date of what work I did. I was able to post all my ideas and changes, which was very helpful. I posted different tasks, which were set such as finding out about Goodwin’s theory, which helped later on as I was able to look back at what conventions were found within a music video. I also was able to include timetables of when I needed to film and what I needed to film. Blog as a whole has proven very effective in keeping up to date with work and it made it easier to make my music video.

Another media technology that was helpful in making my music video a success was Final Cut Express, where all of my music video was edited. Final Cut Express was simple and easy to use. I already had an understanding of how to use it from previous years so it was not new to me which made the task slightly easier, however I was far more creative, looking at different effects such as kaleidoscope and glow. It was easy to make changes whenever I wanted too and I was able to show my audience so they could give feedback so I could edit more. This was far better than using something like iMovie as Final Cut Expression has far more options so I was able to be more imaginative and creative.

Using the equipment for filming was another challenge. I had had practice with using a camera before so I was quite familiar with how to use it and how to film different shots and angles. I did has a minor problem to begin with however the footage that did not work was not needed in the end.

The last significant media technology that I am now familiar with is Photoshop. At first I found it quite tricky but once I got the hang of it I found editing my images and creating an advert, which was my very own very enjoyable. You have no limits on Photoshop which I loved as I was able to be as creative as I wanted. Although I was not able to get any original pictures and had to use still images from my music video, Photoshop made it possible for me to make it look just as professional as if I had taken pictures because of the different effects, opacity levels, and various other factors which added that made my ancillary projects a success.