Evaluation question (4)

How we have used Technology - research & planning, constructing, evaluation (evaluate/analyse/conclude/compare)

Ellie - Research and planning- 

 In order to present our work we used an online website called Blogger to upload and submit our work by, we decided to use this a it was suggested to do so by our teacher but also that all the group members has easy access to it and had been using it for a year before in AS. The research and planning process we had to first find a artist which we would feel confident that we'd be able to make a relatable music video to. We used the internet to search for artist on Sound Cloud, YouTube and also iTunes. We came across out artist on SoundCloud and on her profile she had linked her email, we then decided to get in contact over email, explaining to her why we wanted to use her single and what we was going to create with the single.  

Once we had got permission to use Bisola's single we then research different artists and their campaign which includes, website, digi-pack and music video, to see whether we could gather any additional feedback from getting inspiration from other artists within the same genre of music. We've done this be looking at an existing artist and looking at the layout, colouring and editing of their website, digi-pack and also music video. Through this again the internet was widely used. 

Through out research and planning progress we used video diaries to ensure we was on task and to be able to visually connect with our audience. For this we used a mac laptop to record which we then uploaded to iMovie to cut out all the bits that wasn't necessary. This also gave us the chance to refilm if we were to miss any bit of information out while filming. Once we had finished this we then uploaded this to YouTube, which then allowed up to link it onto our blogs to be able to access them at anytime we needed to.

We looked at many different films and footage for our music video we looked at films which we could gather ideas from for example we got inspiration from a clip in Twilight which includes alot of high angles to make our artist shown at her weakest point. 

With our moodboard we wanted to create a visual representation of what we wanted to include but with the moodboard we was just showing this in a different way. We used found images for this which required us to use the internet to gather the images together.  

Before we started to film we done a location reeces we displayed this by taking pitchers using a digital camera. With the location we wanted to do different locations for different scenes throughout the music video.

As another part of our research we had to find a suitable actor, we knew we wanted to have a woman as our main character so we only auditioned girls for this role. We recorded this on  our video cameras on our iphones which we then all then imported to imovie and edited it together and from this we managed to gather and then decided from the auditions who we wanted to use for our final music video. We needed to have someone who was confident with and without make up on but also was confident being in front  of the camera performing the scenes we needed to produce. 

Ben: Constructing/Editing:

In our music video we have beat edited to make sure that the video footage goes to the beat of the song. To do this we used Final Cut Pro to precision edit the footage to the music, this allowed us to create a video that is recognised as a music video. We beat edited our music video as this is a typical convention of a music video and connects the footage to the song. Also there is a relationship between the visuals and lyrics, for example the lyrics are 'open your eyes' and the video is a close up shot of the actors eye opening.

Our music video also has lip syncing, we used this as again it is a typical convention of a music video. This makes a video a music video, to do this I used final cut to carefully match the lip syncing to the track. To get this footage we played the song out loud during filming and the actor sang along as they had learned the words previously. 

To construct hyperreality and make the beginning show dystopia we have uses jump cutting and fragmentation of images to make the shot look messy. This creates the idea of being messed up, we used this as the song we chose is very uplifting and inspirational through the lyrics. Our video was aimed to provide a sense of everything getting better. I used Final Cut Pro to create the jump cut, to video this I used an iPhone 6 with time lapse and slowed this down, then edited the video in Final Cut. Technology also helped me to create an overlaying ghost effect in the music video. To do this we filmed twice with the camera in the same position but two different scenes. I then used Final Cut Pro to overlay and make one of the videos more opaque creating the ghosting effect. This made the scene look hyperreal and like a dream.

Within the digipak Photoshop allowed us to edit and enhance the images. We used a light beige effect on the images in the digipak, this is also present in the music video as it has a beige tone throughout. We used this as it provides a sense of warmth and is a bright uplifting colour which reflects the style and genre of the music. I also used Photoshop to its best ability to edit pictures of our actor to remove any skin imperfections, like spots. I also whitened her teeth and added artificial sunlight to the main cover of the digipak to inspire consumers.

The internet played a large role in constructing our music video. We used the internet to research how to use different aspects of Final Cut Pro as we think we are intermediate level editors and needed to research how to use Final Cut Pro to its full potential. We used Wix, which is an online website creator to make our website, without this we wouldn't of been able to create it. This website allowed us to get important feedback from our target audience from our rough cut, which allowed us to further improve our video whilst constructing it.

Overall we have found that Final Cut Pro was the major tool we used throughout. Final Cut Pro has allowed us to edit, colour correct and piece together our music video. In reflection looking back at our music video we have realised that to further improve our process we should have experimented more with camera angles and made sure that we had sufficient storage on the SD card to film more scenes. Also we found that we needed to research how to use Final Cut Pro as it is has so many different tools and features which we should have used to benefit our video.

Emily: Evaluation:

The first way we used technology in our evaluation was using YouTube and features within YouTube. For question 1 we used annotation on a music video on YouTube. This is experimenting with technology as we have used a website to upload our video and then add comments around it in specific parts of the video. We have done this to specify parts of the video we are talking about in a simple yet effective way.

For question 2 we did a voice over of our music video. This meant we had to record our voices and upload this onto the computer. We then inserted both of these into iMovie to overlay the voice-over over the music video, digipack and website print screens. We did this to be able to show understanding of the question and also to present our answer in the music video, digipack and website. The technology therefore used in this question is iMovie and voice recorder.

For question 3 of the evaluation we have done a video commentary. We have used this form of communication to experiment more with video recording ourselves. Using this shows how all 3 peers contributed and we have also used a variation in software and technology for our evaluation. We have to use technology to create the video and upload it to YouTube. From YouTube we have to then upload to the blog. 

For question 4 we have created this slideshow on keynote. For this we have had to use technology for transitions, design and creation of the answer. To use keynote is another variation of technology to use in our evaluation and as this answer is longer than the rest, we all agreed this was the best form of technology to use. We can input all the text we need and images if needed.