(GROUP POST) Evaluation Q4 - How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Before we started planning and filming our music video, we created a blog on 'Blogger' to enable us to continuously update our journey through the making of our music video. We used the blog in our AS course and also in our A2 course. We used the blog to write posts about everything from our choice of music genre, our research and our preferred filming locations. This is a technology which we had previously used in our AS media project so we were well aware on how to use it but this year we became more aware on how to organise our posts so it showed a continuous journey and learnt new skills such as how to embed a video.

Last year we used 'Prezi' for certain posts in our course, such as, target audience research analysis, this year however, we didn't use it. We have found 'Prezi' quite difficult to use and prefer to use other technologies such as 'Infogram'. We also created a few power points on Microsoft and uploaded them onto 'Slideshare'.

Youtube was used to conduct our similar product research. We found Youtube very easy to use and very useful as the videos are highly accessible which made the research process quicker for us, meaning we had more time to plan our own music video. Unlike the similar product research in AS, we were able to simply type in the music video we were looking for and it would be there in a matter of seconds, whereas in AS, we had to look on numerous websites to find existing magazine examples. 

The photography and filming part of the task was produced with two LUMIX FZ60 cameras using additional accessories such as tripods. We were already familiar with the cameras and there settings from our AS project so this made the filming part easier but we did have difficulty with the transition from still images to movement but we soon got used to the idea after a few trial takes.

When we produced our risk assessments, call sheets and child permission forms, we used Microsoft Word. We are both very familiar with this programme as we have used it many times before in AS, A2 subjects and wider uses, which made things easier to produce.

This year we used Final Cut Pro X to create our Music Video. At the beginning of this years course, we create a short documentary about sixth form to help us get used to the program. From the first documentary we constructed, we learnt how to upload footage from our cameras and import shots onto the timeline and cut them. We became competent in using transitions and filters on specific shots, which helped us to create a professional looking music video.

Overall we used several technologies to help use create and publish aspects in this year's course. I think without using certain technologies the task would haven proven difficult.

(GROUP POST) - Final Music Video

This is our final version of our music video.

(GROUP POST) - Final Adverts

This is our final adverts, one to promote the album and one to promote a tour. We decided to use the outdoor theme with the trees as well as stills from our music video because it creates synergy between all of our promotional package and music video.

(GROUP POST) Final Digipak

This is our final digipak. We have continued to use black and white and sepia colours like in our music video to create synergy along with the theme of the lake and trees which will make it more recognisable for our target audience.

(GROUP POST) - Our merchandise

This is some merchandise we have designed which could be part of our bands promotional package. From research with existing artists we found that merchandise is popular. Fans are drawn to designs that are easily recognisable with the artists they like so it is important to keep a common theme. Here we have created synergy through through the designs because of the feather and tree theme linking back to our music video and digipak. If the merchandise is a success, there is a potential for high sales and the artists becoming more well known.

                                     
                                                           

(GROUP POST) Advert - Draft One

This is a design that Ellie has created for our advert. I like the picture because it is a group shot which will be good for advertising because people will recognise the band. I like the overall advert but think it would look better if there was more information and possible a vignette background.

(GROUP POST) CD design

This is my design for our CD. I have chosen to use a photo of trees because it links in with our video well and overall outdoor theme. The colour also links to our music video because we have included sepia and black and white colours throughout our task. 

(GROUP POST) Digipak - Third Draft

This is a design that I have created. I like the autumn theme on the front and back covers and the black and white photo because It links to the shots in our music video. I also like the font on the front cover. We could take some elements from this design along with other elements from our other designs to incorporate them together for our final digipak.

(GROUP POST) Digipak - Second Draft

This is Ellie's design, I like the the back cover of the two people sat at the lake because it links in with our debut single. I like the design on the front cover of the feather but I think if it was on the digipak it wouldn't look at professional because it's hand drawn. We have talked about the design and have said if we decide to use it we will generate a better design on Adobe Elements 11. 

(GROUP POST) Digipak - First Draft

This is the first draft for our digipak. We designed it together and have decided to incorporate photos of scenery to link with some locations in our music video. We like the colour scheme but think we need to add a photo of the bad somewhere on the digipak. This is something to consider when we construct another draft.