Media Evaluation question 4 - Max Qayyum
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The document discusses how various media technologies were used at different stages of creating a documentary project. In the research and planning stages, the internet and streaming services were used to research topics and documentaries. Email was used to communicate ideas. Blogs were used to publish work. A camera, tripod, microphone, and editing software were used to film and construct the documentary. Music was created in GarageBand and voiceovers recorded in a studio. Photoshop and InDesign were used to create a magazine article. Word, Prezi, and embedded media were used for evaluation.
Media Evaluation question 4 - Max Qayyum
- 1. Question 4 - how did you use media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages? by Max Qayyum Sunday, 24 February 13
- 2. Research and Planning In the beginning of the coursework we started mapping out ideas without the use of media technologies, ie. by using mindmaps, and listing all the topics we would like to cover. When we came to planning the documentary, we also used storyboards and lists to gather our ideas rather than using media technologies. When researching the topic, the internet was the most important resource, as expected, into 鍖nding speci鍖c information. We used Windows 7 at college with Internet Explorer to browse the internet, but at home I was using Mac OS X running Google Chrome. Websites of use turned out to be popular news websites such as The Guardian, BBC and The Times, but in addition to this, the UCAS website was invaluable in 鍖nding speci鍖c education information. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 3. Research and planning, continued In addition to researching the topic, we also had to research TV channels to 鍖nd out which one our documentary would suit. To do this we looked at TV listing websites such as TV Guide, as well as BBC, ITV and Channel 4s actual websites. Looking at their schedules helped to 鍖nd if they showed any similar programs, what times would be suitable for our documentary to be shown, etc. When it came to researching into other documentaries, we used services such as iPlayer to rewatch any documentaries they had recently shown (such as Africa), as well as ITV Player (on Death Row with Trevor McDonald) and 4od (The Hotel). For older documentaries which couldnt be streamed, or older DVD releases, they were sometimes available for viewing on Youtube. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 4. Research and planning, continued When contacted each other we would often use email services such as Gmail to send ideas back and forth. It allowed us to attach 鍖les so that we could edit them and reply. When it came to posting our work, we used the blogging service Blogger.com which was set up by the college. It allowed us to publish our posts publicly, ad we found it useful in the later stages as all of our previous work was easy to 鍖nd. You cannot upload 鍖les such as Word Documents or Powerpoint Presentations, so 鍖rst we uploaded our 鍖les to services such as Scribd and 際際滷share, and then embedded them in the blog posts. Embedded 鍖les from Scribd and 際際滷share Embed code from Scribd Sunday, 24 February 13
- 5. Construction - 鍖lming the documentary We 鍖lmed the documentary on a Canon camera which had a manual focus ring. We found this very useful when performing focus racks. When recording interviews, both professional interviews and vox pops, we used a tripod. This helped in making the interviews look professional, as well as allowing us to perform pans and zooms in other shots while keeping the camera steady. We used a directional microphone in shots where sound was required. We made sure that it was always kept out of the shot to keep it professional. When sound was not needed in shots, we didnt use the microphone. To monitor the sound being recorded, the person controlling the microphone would also use headphones. We tested everything before interviews and set the equipment up very speci鍖cally, as to avoid making any errors. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 6. Construction - recording the voiceover forvoiceover, we decided to use the resources the documentary When it came to recording the available to use and record them in a college studio. This allowed us to use the professional equipment and software. We recorded the audio on Logic Pro, changed some settings and exported it as an MP3 鍖le which could then be simply dragged and dropped into our Final Cut project. Custom settings - applying a more professional feel The project in Logic Pro Exporting the project Sunday, 24 February 13
- 7. Construction - editing After the completion of 鍖lming, we transferred all of our footage to an iMac. The 鍖rst thing to do was log & transfer all of the footage. We watched all of the videos prior to the log and transfer process as some were deemed redundant or no longer required. We then transferred the required videos. We also named all of the clips before transferring them, for easy selection. Clip 2 is added to queue Clip 2 is now in the video window along with all of our other footage The log and transfer process Sunday, 24 February 13
- 8. Construction - editing, continued We placed the clips onto the timeline and then adjusted them. The editing toolbar was very useful, easily allowing us to cut videos and zoom in as well as other features. For the most part, straight cuts were used. However, we occasionally used cross dissolves. Cross dissolve was selected from the effects browser and dragged onto the timeline, where required. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 9. Construction - editing, continued For this shot, we decided to speed up the video, which was very easy to do. This shot was sped up to 203%. We occasionally used cross fades for the sound as to not make it start or end too abruptly. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 10. Construction - editing, continued In addition to using cross fades for the sound, we took careful care in adjusting the sound levels to make sure nothing sounded too abrupt and that the sound 鍖owed correctly. We used the Degree or Not Degree logo within the documentary, which simply meant dragging and dropping the image 鍖le into the timeline. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 11. Construction - editing, continued Some of the shots needed text to be overlaid. This included the professional interviews which needed the interviewees name and profession. We used a scrolling shot of university folders and overlaid text which repeated statistics which were being said in the voiceover to reinforce them. They appeared on screen as they were being spoken as can be seen in the screenshot. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 12. Construction - editing, continued When the video was complete we had to export it. We also exported a Youtube friendly version to be embedded on our blog, using these settings The 鍖nal timeline Sunday, 24 February 13
- 13. Construction - creating the music We used Garageband to create the music used in both the documentary and radio trail. We used the in-built loops, dragged from the loop browser, shown below. The 鍖nished project. We carefully adjusted the sound levels for the music. We used these settings to export the music as a high quality MP3 鍖le, available to drag and drop straight into the Final Cut project. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 14. Construction - creating the radio trail voiceover As with the voiceover for the documentary, we went to the college studio and recorded the radio trail voiceover there, using Logic Pro. We changed speci鍖c settings to alter the sound and give it a more professional feel. The 鍖nal project These settings were used to export the voiceover as an MP3 鍖le and it was later dragged and dropped into the Garageband project. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 15. Construction - creating the radio trail The voiceover was added, along with the music used for the documentary. We also exported some clips from Logic Pro as audio only and used them. We made sure the sound levels were correct throughout, and also used a fade out at the end. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 16. Construction - creating the magazine article Before assembling the article itself, we 鍖rst of all took brand new photos to be used on the same cameras we used to record the documentary. After these had been taken we edited them in Photoshop. We adjusted the curves to give the images a warmer feel. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 17. Construction - creating the magazine article For each of the images used, we 鍖rst of all created blank white boxes in Indesign. We made sure they were slightly bigger than the images and dragged the images on top. This made them stand out more. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 18. Construction - creating the magazine article To make them stand out even more, we applied the same drop shadow to each box. The same drop shadow was also used on text, where required. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 19. Construction - creating the magazine article The construction of the article, stage by stage. Adding the 鍖rst white box and applying the background, as well as page numbers after setting Adding the main image the page up as a double page spread Adding a smaller image Applying the boxes which provide more information Sunday, 24 February 13
- 20. Construction - creating the magazine article The construction of the article, stage by stage. Adding some text and applying drop Adding more images with white boxes shadows and drop shadows Adding the main body of text Adding the last bit of text. Finished version Sunday, 24 February 13
- 21. Evaluation In creating the evaluation, I simply used Word for questions 1 and 2. I uploaded these to Scribd, where they were able to embed into a blog post on our Blogger blog. Similarly, I uploaded question 4 to 際際滷share, where it was available to embed into a blog post. Sunday, 24 February 13
- 22. Evaluation For question 3, I used Prezi. Prezi allows users to create interactive slideshows, but interactive media is available to be embedded in them. This was useful as I was able to include a Youtube video we had recorded. For this question I had also created some graphs and charts to display data we collected from our questionnaires. This was done in Excel. Sunday, 24 February 13