Evaluation - Question 4 - What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

For the process of constructing this product, I had to use many different tools.

RESEARCH -

For my research, I used search engines such as -


In order to gain a better understanding of both the mind of the internet predator and the victim. Since I was making a film, I thought it was important to include looking into organization websites such as CEOP to obtain access to documentaries about the same topic. Google was a helpful tool in gaining my secondary research, enabling me to cross-reference different statistics and present them on my blog. I also used google to research for my ancillary tasks, looking at the codes and conventions for typical film magazines and posters. All the time when researching I kept in mind that my main and ancillary products were a whole product in themselves, so my research needed to work around this. I also used google to research my audiences age and what I could do to help appeal to them.


CONSTRUCTION -

I have been introduced to software for editing such as Pixlr from Open Source Software, which has many of the same functions as photoshop. Pixlr enabled me to edit my images for my poster and my magazine front cover. I was able to warp my images using bulge tools, the magic lasso tool and
 others. Once I got the hang of pixlr, it was a very easy application to use.

I was also introduced to a D.T.P or desktop publishing programme called Scribus from Open Source Software. From my AS Coursework, I was familiar with desktop publishing programmes however I was new to scribus. It is a complicated programme, because of it's many functions and it's need for you to find it's toolbars etc. However, once you aqquaint yourself with the basics it proves to be an effective and professional programme. This programme helped me to create the products I envisaged and was effective in helping me to create my work professionally and work with layers.

I also used a new editing software - Movie Studio Platinum by SONY - to edit my shots into my social realist trailer. This software made it easy for me to create transitions, cuts, to trim shots and many other useful tools. I found this software very easy to use and it was similar to Windows Movie Maker, just with more tools to use. I was also able to create colour edits on shots in edit, which you are unable to do with some editing programmes. In terms of over-coming obstacles, I had to learn how to be patient about my shots while leaning how to string them together to create a flowing product.




I have also learnt how to effectively use a DSLR camera. The camera I used was the Canon EOS 550D. Following a camera workshop with my school technician and my teacher, I became more comfortable with using the camers and I was taught how to set the camera onto the tri-pod etc. The manual features of the camera such as the exposure, focus and zoom made it easier to compose shots and create more interesting shots for my trailer. The manual focus enabled me to create the effect of seeing through teary eyes in my trailer, as when Annie was crying the camera un-focus's but focus's back in, creating a ''blinking'' effect.



PRESENTATION -

To present my work, I used a website called Blogger. Blogger enabled me to keep all of my work in one place. Blogger also enabled me to use images and text to better explain my work - for example - the use of screen-shots when explaining the construction of my poster helped me to do this more effectively.


For some of my evaluation posts I have used a zooming presentation editor called 'Prezzi' in order to more creatively produce answers to questions. Prezzi enables you to choose different layouts for presentations of questions or answers. It enables you to get creative with the way in which you examine your questions.

To obtain audience feedback, I decided to upload my finished trailer to my personal YouTube account. When the trailer had uploaded, I was able to post the URL into several social networking sites, gaining feedback from many people. YouTube also has a thumbs up and thumbs down rating system which helped me to gain a better understanding of whether people liked or disliked the trailer.