The document discusses what the author learned about technologies from constructing a product. They became familiar with Adobe Premiere Pro which they used to edit footage for their opening sequence and other videos. They also learned how to use Adobe After Effects and Audition while working on the project, having to learn as they went along. The author notes it would have been beneficial to practice with the software before beginning work.
1. Question 6:What have you
learnt about technologies
from the process of
constructing this product?
2. During the course of constructing my opening sequence I have
learned a lot with regards to using different pieces of technology and
new software.
A piece of software that I had used in the past and became very
familiar with is Adobe Premiere Pro, so when I had to use it to make
my opening sequence I was quite comfortable. I wouldn't call myself
a master in using the software but I know the basics and I know my
way around it, which was pretty much all I needed to complete this
piece of work. As well as having to use it to edit the footage for my
opening sequence, I also had to use it to edit other bits of footage
such as the audience research footage, which gave me extra practise
and refreshed my memory on how to use the software.
3. What would you do differently with the benefit of
hindsight?
• If I was to do the project again or do a whole new project, I feel it would be beneficial to
practise using the piece of software before actually beginning to use it to do my work.
• For example with Adobe After Effects I had to learn as I went along. Before starting the
project I had never even heard of After Effects, so it was almost like being thrown in the deep
end. Even though the programme has similar elements to Adobe Premiere Pro the
complexity of it was on a whole new level. I didn't possess the level of skill required to use a
programme like After Effects so frankly I was quite intimidated by it and almost reluctant to
use the software, nevertheless I did give it a go.
• An example of another piece of software that I would have liked to have practiced with
before starting my project is AdobeAudition.
• Before having arrived on set I would plan out no only what I would be filming but exactly how
I would film it.
• I would have started working on titles sooner.
4. What do you know that you didn’t know
before?
• I now know how to import footage onto After Effect and how to add it onto the
timeline so it can be edited.
• I learned how to add key frames and also how to add pre-sets.
• I know how to add audio onto Adobe Audition and how to cut and lengthen audio.
Also how to lower or raise the volume.
• I know how to use Scribd e.g. upload files.
• I know how to change the colour of footage on Premiere Pro and also how to add
transitions and effects.
5. What advice would you pass on?
• Before you go out filming make sure you know exactly what and how your going to film it e.g. storyboard in
detail.
• In case things don’t go to plan on the day of your shoot always have a contingency plan.
• Start editing as soon as possible.
• Leave plenty of time for re-shoots as they are inevitable.
• When filming capture the same scene from as many angles as possible.This will be very beneficial when it
comes to editing you footage.
• If your having to learn to use new software start as early as you can, so you become comfortable using it.
• Complete health and safety checks before going out filming e.g. if your filming on a street, how safe would
it be?
• Learn to use the camera and tripod before going out to film.
6. What are the advantages of different
technologies used?
• Importing footage and editing on Premiere Pro and After Effects is simple.
• Importing audio on Audition is easy and editing was simple enough once you know how to do it.
• There are endless possibilities into what can be created using these pieces of software.
• The quality of the software is remarkable.
• The video cameras produced HD quality images.
• Studio lighting can be used to create any time of atmosphere you want and can be adjusted
easily e.g. low key lighting can be used to create a dark setting.
• Tripod is good for panning, tilting and keeping the camera steady.
7. What are the disadvantages of different
technologies used?
• Studio lighting is relatively easy to use if you know how to set it up properly.Although you
need to be careful the light is not directly in anyone's eyes.
• Software such as After Effects can take a lot of time to learn.
• Creating effects onAfter Effects is very time-consuming and is made even worse due to the
slow school servers.
• Rendering the footage can take an incredibly long time, and can be incredibly off putting
when it comes to editing your work.
• The quality of the footage on the camera isn’t always the same as what you see on the
computer screen once you’ve imported it.
8. What could you have done but didn’t?
• We made animation for our production company title 'Kitafro Productions' using Adobe
Illustrator but we didn't use it in our sequence in the end. We also made a logo for our
production company but we didn't use that either.
• If I had the time I would have liked to create the soundtrack for the opening sequence
myself even if it just meant creating a montage of sounds using pre-made tracks.What
would have been even better is if I could compose my own piece of music and record that
but unfortunately I'm not gifted with the ability to play an instrument.
• If I had the time I would have re-shot some of the scenes so that the acting would look
more convincing e.g. in the kidnapping scene it looks as if Kim voluntarily gets into the van
as she shows no resistance to her kidnappers, this could provide the audience with
misleading information.