Evaluation Question 4
We used many resources and technologies throughout the processes of our production. From the beginning of the research and planning to the construction and post-production a wide variety of modern materials have been available and useful. Firstly the online blogging service https://quack.varndean.ac.uk/ was where we documented our work and progress throughout the course. This was good as tutors and other students could view each blog and give feedback on how to improve the content of the blog as it continued to grow.
Research.
To start with we used websites such as Wikipedia, and search engines like Google to gather research for our study into postmodernism and genre. Online services like these helped us gather information and images which we would then create presentations with. To make such presentations we used a variety of programmes including Microsoft Power-Point and online presentation service Prezi.
When researching into other postmodern films we visited websites such as http://www.imdb.com/ . This was useful when looking into genre, cast, production elements and age certification and gave us an idea of elements that where relevant to include in our own production.
Planning.
When planning for our production we used Microsoft Power-Point and a mini zip recorder to create and film our pitch video. This provided variety in how we could display our content on our blogs as we could later export and upload the pitch video to YouTube and then link it to our blog in a post. YouTube was a useful resource to use because it allowed people to comment and favourite our content. It is an example of how we have used Web 2.0 to our advantage as an audience feedback tool.
An application on my windows tablet called “M8!” allowed us to create mind maps for planning into our genre and narrative for our production. We were then able to screenshot the mind maps and add them to our blogs as image files. Alternatively we used a scanner to scan storyboards we had made into the computer network and also add them to our blogs as image files. Having multiple options on how to display our production planning was important as it provided variety and looked more aesthetically pleasing.
Production.
Production was split into 2 areas that both used different technologies, materials and programmes; production and post-production. For the production we used a Canon 1000D DSLR camera to film our footage, the reason we used this camera was because it belonged to one of our group. This meant that we had more freedom over when and where we used it due to not having to borrow a camera from the college.
We used addition camera equipment to help get good quality and exciting shots in our footage. This equipment included a Vivitar tripod to keep our shots steady and level, a 50mm macro lens for high quality, crisp, close up shots and a 1 metre long slider to achieve slow and steady moving shots that would track our characters and establish locations whilst including variety in the shots used.
For post-production we used the editing software Adobe Premier Pro. We felt this software was appropriate because of the level of control it enables over the final outcome. Having this programme allowed us to add the clips to the timeline to create a narrative, change the colour balancing of each clip to how we wanted it to look and apply cut transitions effectively as well as much more. One thing we did find was really effective in Adobe Premier Pro was the way we could apply sound to our production.
For our soundtrack we used a combination of music and a voice over as well as sound effects for the background. To find a suitable piece of music for our trailer we used the website http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/ to find a copyright free track. This was effective because it was free and un-copyrighted as well as the right match to our footage. A Zoom H4N Recorder was used to record the voice over; this was an inexpensive and high-quality way to record this part of the soundtrack.
Ancillary Product Production
When creating our ancillary products, the Total Film magazine cover and film poster, it was necessary to choose the right software to use to put them together. We chose Adobe Photoshop as it enabled us to work in layers adding each aspect of the products individually with total control of colour, size and shape. For the magazine cover we roughly used a guideline template to help us keep the cover aspects such as the logo, barcode and idea of what content the cover actually displays. However our main image came from a separate shoot taken on the same Canon 1000D camera as used to get our footage against a portable black studio set. Then those photographs were edited in separate Photoshop window to be then transferred on to our poster and magazine cover documents.
Screen grabs of the trailer where taken and edited in Photoshop to create the poster as well as stock images from Google Images of textures for the background. This combination of images works well to avoid having negative and boring space and makes the overall look more aesthetically pleasing to look at.
Overall we are really pleased with the outcome of this project and proud of all the skills we have gained from using such different forms of technology and equipment during this process.