Media A2 evaluation question.

1. Q4. HOW DID YOU USE
MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN
THE CONSTRUCTION AND
RESEARCH, PLANNING AND
EVALUATION STAGES?
Georgina Rees

2. IMOVIE
 Throughout the production of my documentar y, I used a wide
range of technologies to ensure my products would reach their
full potential and the correct target audience. iMovie was one of
the programs which I used most throughout the process of my
production to create the documentar y. I used iMovie to import
my footage, edit my footage, add transitions and sound and
simply put the whole documentary together. I had briefly used
iMovie in my AS production but not to the standard I needed for
A2. I used tutorials and websites to help gain greater
understanding of this program. I was able to export the footage
to other sources such as YouTube which I used in my audience
feedback. I also discovered that by turning on 'Advanced
Features' in the properties section, I was able to use many more
tools, which I felt enhanced my overall appearance of the
documentary extract. I found the most challenging aspect of
iMovie was adding, editing and cutting the footage. However,
after practicing and watching tutorials online, this become far
more easier.

3. PHOTOSHOP
 Photoshop was the other main software I used in my production
process. However, I had previous experience with Photoshop from
using this program in AS media. I used Photoshop for my
ancillary product which was a double page spread magazine T V
listings and a poster to support my main product which was a
documentary. It was also used in parts of my documentary where
I edited and imported an image into iMovie to use. I have further
enhanced and developed my Photoshop skills from this
production. I personally think Photoshop was great for creating
my ancillary products, as it has advanced tools which I was able
to take full advantage of in giving my products the most
professional look. I think the best feature of Photoshop that I
used was the magic wand eraser as it simply picks up
surrounding areas which you want to erase. This is a great time
saver tool, although I learnt you had to be patient when using it!

4. SONY HXR-MC2000E
 I used the Sony HXR -MC2000E camcorder to film my
documentary. This is a very high and expensive piece of
equipment which I was lucky enough to use. This camera
contributed to the professional feel of my documentary. I
didn't have any previous experience with filming at all or with
this camcorder, however, I was quickly able to learn how to
use this camera.

5. CANON 1000D
 I used the Canon 1000D camera to take images for my
ancillary products. I've had plenty of experience using digital
SLR cameras from AS media production. This allowed me to
use the ef fects on the camera to produce suitable, ef fective
images for the products.

6. IPHOTO
 iPhoto was an Apple software I used to store my photos and to
view the photos and sort the ones I thought would be suitable
for my ancillary products. To import photos onto iMovie, I had
to firstly put them onto iPhoto.

7. YOUTUBE
 YouTube is a video sharing website which is free for all. I used
YouTube in my planning and research process to watch other
documentaries in order to complete textual analysis. I was
also able to find tutorial videos to help me use new software
such as certain tools on Photoshop. I also used YouTube
through my production process, as I uploaded my unfinished
documentary which enabled my peers to complete an
audience feedback survey to express their opinions on the
documentary.

8. BLOGGER
 Blogger is a blog-publishing service. I used Blogger to show
my journey and progress throughout the production process,
collecting my research and planning, production and
evaluation process. After using Blogger to show my journey
and progress in my AS production, I was extremely confident
in using this website. I find Blogger very easy to use and
navigate. It is a great website for displaying my work,
especially as it is dated so therefore acts like a diary.

9. SLIDEROCKET
 I used SlideRocket to display my PowerPoints in an
aesthetically pleasing manor, making it more enjoyable for
the audience. I also used SlideRocket in my AS production so
was familiar with this website. However, SlideRocket is
unfortunately closing down. Another website I used to present
my PowerPoints was SlideShare which was also very useful
and simple to use. I simply uploaded my PowerPoints onto
Blogger through an embedded code which the website
produced for me.

10. PREZI
 Prezi was another slideshow tool I used on my blog when
presenting my work. Prezi has very stylish zooms and fast
animations which makes it aesthetically pleasing for the
audience. However, I personally do not like Prezi as I find it
dif ficult to use and takes considerable amounts of time to
create the final, finished product.

11. GOOGLE DOCS
 I used Google Docs to create my audience feedback survey.
Google Docs is a free and useful tool. I was easily able to
create a document which allowed me to undertake my
research into the audience much more ef fectively.

12. FLIPSNACK
 Flipsnack is a tool which presents documents in a magazine
style. I personally really like Flipsnack as it is easy to use and
is aesthetically pleasing.

13. OVERALL
 All these media technologies have enabled me to present my
work on the blog more ef fectively. Each of the platforms
allowed me to make a realistic, more professional product.
However, each of these mediums have limitations. For
example, if I was producing a documentary for a large
institution, they would have an extremely large budget which
would enable them to have more technical and ef fective
features to create the best possible products. However, the
software which is available to all, free of charge, is extremely
useful and enabled me to incorporate the codes and
conventions of a documentary.