EVALUATION QUESTIONS

EVALUATION QUESTIONS: 4. How did you use new technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages?

New technologies, in reference to this project, have aided the group hugely as without them, a majority of the work would not have been produced. It has benefitted us in that it has allowed for quicker ways of producing tasks, and tasks are being fulfilled to the highest of our abilities, and to a professional standard also.

The Internet was predominantly one of the main new technologies we used. In terms of the research and planning stages, the majority of work was conducted through this. We were able to view existing products in the market, such as CD covers, promotional posters and even existing music videos via YouTube. The internet also provided us with 'Google Maps' in which the group searched for potential locations; a tool which saved time and money. In reference to planning in particular, the Internet allowed us to search for the Bruno Mars lyrics to "Marry You" which meant it was easily accessible from home or school, when needed to create storyboards, further notes on shot types etc. Our group also used a website available on the internet called "Dropbox" which allowed us to share files online, and again access them from a different location. This became useful as we were able to switch notes, comment on them and further share files.

In further reference to the planning stages, Microsoft Office was often used to create documents, for example our first and second pitches were created using a Powerpoint Presentation, which was ideal in that simple notes were shown on the screen, with a small handout notes page for each group member annotating the information shown. This, alike to "Dropbox" was also easily accessible at home. Whilst planning, hand drawn drafts were created, which were put onto the computer via a scanner, again making it easier to plan the project wholly.

Throughout the construction of the music video, technologies such as mobile phones and social networks were predominantly used as a form of communication. This allowed the group to communicate quickly and efficiently, to organise dates for filming, discuss ideas or simply just to catch up on a day's work.

New technologies that were accessible at school, which the group used to their advantage and produced the majority of our ancillary tasks in was Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator CS3 and Adobe InDesign. These three programs include all the tools in which we needed to create the tasks, such as templates, easy editing techniques and quick ways of importing information.

The construction stage of the actual video was produced using a video camera. Along with the camera, the group required tools such as a tripod, jib, tracking system and other pieces of equipment to enable a variety of shot types. Once the footage had been captured, it was relatively easy to convert it and place it into a folder on to our VEM using a USB cable which was attached to the side of the camera. The video camera also came in useful in terms of our principal photography for the ancillary tasks, as it also took still images, therefore this saved time as we were able to have photo shoots on scenes of filming, whilst also filming with a separate camera.

Premiere Pro, a new technology to the group, is what the music video was produced in. 'Timelines' were created in which we were able to import the entirety of footage, and seek out appropriate clips. Editing hours were often long and tedious, however the fact that the technology was new and exciting to learn meant it became easy to use in a short space of time.

Throughout the evaluation stages, the majority of technology used was again via the Internet. Blogging regularly was an aspect in which the group sought to be very useful, and therefore production schedules were often drawn up and kept to religiously. The feedback that was gathered and used in the evaluation stage was produced using questionnaires, which allowed quick and easily accessible information for the entirety of the group.

To conclude, new technologies were used wholly throughout the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages in various ways. The group effortlessly used some aspects of this technology e.g. Photoshop, as it has been used before, yet struggled with others e.g. Premiere Pro, a vital aspect of technology needed for this project, and this learning process meant that as an individual, I now feel confident in using such technology if required to.