Question 6)
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product When constructing our final product, a large procedure was taken in order to actually begin planning, filming and editing. This was carried out using a digital Blog and was the first piece of software that helped to shape our outcome. ‘Tumblr’ is a social networking site where users can ‘post’ either work, images or their general interests. In our case, it was used to piece together all the research that was carried out. This meant that we could interact with people -to then receive constructive feedback- as well as keep track of what has or has not been done. It also meant that we could then explore different ways to carry out our research as we could then post links that would take viewers either to presentations, questionnaires or other various interactions.
The research itself has proven reliable over the period of this course as it has provided some muchneeded information that I was unaware of before entering the subject. This meant I was able to discover different sub genres which meant my group and I had a wide range of ideas to base the groups film upon. It meant references where available at all time and as we were using a social networking site, I could also get influence from other students within the class. It also meant I could investigate into different techniques that could later be used within my own film as we spent the first term researching into the different codes and conventions that help to shape the media itself. Now, I have more of an understanding on a wider range of techniques e.g. an Eye line shot as well as the camera work that is used within the different horror sub Genres. This can all be reflected on as we learnt what techniques are used in different styles of films and how we could incorporate them into the genre we have chosen.
Question 6)
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product We had also taken the time to use software’s such as photoshop to Develop “Group” photos as well as logos and production imagery. This was interesting as it meant we could explore the different techniques to give an overall horror aesthetic to our imagery. It meant the option for experimentation was available and we could investigate into different techniques which resulted in some interesting imagery. The equipment we used during the filming staged where; a digital DLSR, a Crane, Tri-Pod, Tacker, Lighting as well as a hand-held stabilizer. We then followed this up later with the use of Final Cut pro which then allowed for us to Develop our outcome by viewing and adjusting the footage we had just captured.
Question 6)
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product We chose the DSLR for the reason being is that it most modern digital camera that the school could provide. This then meant that the footage was sharper in quality and it was Hand-held making it portable and acceptable when traveling -to film. The Crane was used to capture ‘BirdsEye-View’ shots as it meant we had the ability to heighten the camera without the need for any unnecessary risks e.g. climbing a tree to shoot Alice’s ‘dead’ body. Despite being incredible useful, it did consume a large amount of time as carrying it to and from the location (the forest) then trying to adjust the balancing with the use of weights took some experimenting with. Yet, what caused the most hindrance with this piece of equipment is the sheer scale of it, due to its size it proved quite difficult to transport it to and from houses as we then had to find other means of travel such as vehicles which then meant we had to plan the days where available to make use of the traveling as we had to ensure that the equipment made its way back.
The Tri-pod was used for the majority of the shots as it meant there was less camera shake throughout our footage. It also provided a variety of different shots as the size and angle could be adjusted. We used the Tracker to ensure that the movement that took place within the film was fluid and proved believable as we wanted to it to appear natural as the camera moved with the actor. The lighting was used to alter the mood that we intended to portray throughout the film however, due to its size -much like the Crane- it proved difficult to set up as well as travel with. Finally, when filming we used a Hand-Held Stabilizer, this meant that we could move freely when shooting as we could use the camera handheld yet eliminate all camera shake. Nevertheless, this piece of equipment was disregarded as we fund that adjusting the balance between the camera and the equipment itself was much difficult and it eventually began to eat away at the much-needed time.
Question 6)
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product Due to the technologies that we had used when filming, ideas shifted as reshoots meant that all the equipment we had previously used where available to us again. This was primary because of the travel arrangements, and the distance between the school as well as the filming location. This meant that on the day of the filming we had to rethink some initial ideas and revisit out shot lest and we began to realise that some of the shots that where we either ‘missed’ or needed to redo just weren’t going to practical in terms of ‘doing’. This meant looking at things retrospectively, as we had to use the equipment we were left with, to make adjustments that would fit into the previous footage. This was not necessarily a ‘bad’ thing as it resulted in some motivating ideas being developed which I return left us with some interesting footage.
When editing, I found that this is where I most struggled throughout the course. I couldn’t grasp how to use the software and found myself shadowing my fellow peers when working in our group. This was by far the hardest thing to understand throughout the entirety of the course. Also, when shooting the footage, we found that we constantly kept running out of battery due to long period of time that we were filming for, we also had to spend time reviewing footage and removing ‘outtakes’ as the SD card being used, was constantly running out of space. This was a major issue when re-filming as it meant shots had to be filmed quick as we were running against the clock.
Question 6)
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product To Summarise this sixth question, I learnt that I could explore the media we were studying using social networking, which was then more innovating as it resulted in finding our target audience in a more social way. I also learnt about the use of different techniques used within the filming industry through the use of presentation software such as Prezzi and Emaze. As I could present my findings and revisit them when needed. I then had the opportunity to test these techniques out when using the different filming technologies such as the DSLR. As the group and I got to see these in action we then could review them ourselves -alongside fellow peers and our teachers- We also got to experiment with the editing used within modern horror films as had the ability to use Final Cut to refine our own footage. I also learnt some additional approaches throughout Photoshop as the use of carrying out different techniques meant we could produce our own production imagery.