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Introduction to using an iMac
Given an introduction on how to use iMac hardware in media. This was convienient for me as I have an iMac at home and so I am familiar with how it is used and how to do certain things on it. The advanced software is more appropriate for developing media than PCs, however its controls can be confusing for those that are not familiar with iMacs. -
Activated my 'Mahara' blog
I have used 'Mahara' throughout my Foundation Portfolio to display all of my research and work in one place. 'Mahara' uses cloud computing to allow users to post blog updates from any online device. An advantage of using 'Mahara' is that it securely stores information, but a disadvantage is that it take a while to load and quites occassionally before I have saved. -
Period: to
AS Media - Foundation Portfolio in Media
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Used 'Prezi' for the first time
I first used 'Prezi' software to complete a task for my skills development. 'Prezi' uses cloud computing to allow the user to portray information in a more advanced and visually appealing format than regular 'Powerpoint' that can be accessed from any online device. From using 'Prezi' I learnt how to customise and create my own without using templates and engage the viewer, and went on to use 'Prezi' for several to display research several times during my planning and research stage. -
Used iMovie to edit our preliminary task
iMovie is a basic editing program used on iMacs. I first used it for Media purposes to edit my group's preliminary task, although I have used it at home before, and so this was convenient for me. An advantage of using iMovie is that it is simple and quick to use, although a disadvantage would be that it is not very advanced and there are limited effects and editing that can be made using it. It is for these reasons that I used iMovie during my raudience feedback, but not for my main task. -
Used 'YouTube' to upload 'Arlington Road' remake
'YouTube' is a form of cloud computing, in which the public can upload, view and comment on videos online and access them from any internet device. We first used it during our project to upload our preliminary task and remake of 'Arlington Road' in order to embed them on our blogs, but have also used it to display several other videos, both as a group and individually. Advantages of 'YouTube' are that it is easy to use and can be accessed from anywhere. -
Used 'Go!Animate' to present sound terminology and research
'Go!Animate' is a cloud computing website that allows its users to create a short animation of their choce. I displayed my sound research and terminology in this format as it seemed appropriate for the theme of sound and visually engages the viewer with its characters and setting, which happened to be a teacher and student in a classroom in my case. For these reasons 'Go!Animate' is a visually stimulating piece of software, although it does have a relatively short word limit. -
Used 'Final Cut Express' to edit our 'Arlington Road' remake
'Final Cut Express' is a more advanced piece of editing software than 'iMovie', with a greater rage of effects available and the option to customise. It is for this reason we used this software to edit our main task title sequence, but first on our 'Arlington Road' remake to familiarise ourselves with how it is used and to experiment wih different effects. A slight disadvantage of using 'Final Cut Express' is that it is complex and can be difficult to use. -
Used 'Popplet' to present lighting research
'Popplet' is a piece of cloud computing software that presents information, images and ideas in a mind map form, making the content easily read and followed and aesthetically pleasing. I first used this website for diplaying my lighting research, as I thought the images and information would flow clearly in such a format. As visually pleasing as its format is however, 'Popplet' is not really appropriate for detailed information as the small boxes look too busy and disorientating. -
Used 'Powerpoint' for research and planning stages
I used 'Powerpoint' to diplay important planning (e.g. shot list, character and prop planning etc.) in an easily readable, simply formated composition throughout my planning and research stages of my main task. This included using a graph, images and shapes to make it visually appealing. An advantage of 'Powerpoint' is that it is easy to use and read, yet a disadvantage is that it is limited in ways that you can use it and is not very visually appealing in comparison to other software. -
Used 'Slideshare' for the first time
'Slideshare' is a piece of online cloud computing software that allows the user to upload presentations and slides that they have already created so that they can be viewed from any online device. I used slideshare thoughout my research and planning stages to upload 'Powerpoints' to the internet so I could embed them on my blog. An advantage of this is that the website is easy to use and reliable, yet a disadvantage is that once published, anyone can view your work. -
Began developing our company ident on 'Photoshop' and 'LiveType'
To develop our company ident we created a logo image on 'Photoshop' before animating it using 'LiveType'. 'Photoshop' is commonly used piece of software that can be used to edit and create images in a professional manner. An advantage of using 'Photoshop' is that it enabled us to create a completely original logo, but a disadvantage is that it had to to be animated on a different piece of software. -
Used an 'iPad' to film target audience primary research
We used an 'iPad' to interview our target audience for our target audience primary research task as the hardware is easily portable and the footage can be edited using 'iMovie' either on the 'iPad' itself or another computer. A disadvantage of using an 'iPad' to film is that the sound quality may not be as good as other devices. -
Used a tripod to film main task
During my Media AS, I have frequently used a tripod and 'HD Flip Camea' to complete tasks, most importantly for my main task title sequence filming. The camera attaches easily to the tripod, which can then be adjusted to different heights and angles in order to achieve a steady shot. A slight disadvantage of using a tripod is that it is not approriate for hand held camera style filming, and can sometimes be too big to fit in a certain location, as I found during my preliminary task. -
Used 'HD Flip Camera' to film main task title sequence
We used a 'HD Flip Camera' to film our main task (and also our preliminary task, 'Arlington Road' remake and shot composition activity) as its high deifinition quality gives footage a professional effect. It is simple to use, you press the red button to begin filming and use the arrows to zoom and view footage. However, a disadvantage of using this hardware is that it only has minimal functions, for example you cannot focus maually or use macro effects. -
Used 'LiveType' to begin developing and creating titles
'LiveType' is a software program developed for 'Apple' that enables its users to create titles for films and title sequences. We experimented with fonts and transitions before deciding on and creating our final titles for our title sequence 'Meat Eater'. An advantage of using 'LiveType' is that it is advanced with a range of choices, however we have to edit the titles seperatly to the film. -
Started development of sound track on 'SoundTrack'
'SoundTrack' is a piece of editing software that enables the user to create their own music piece or sound track using pre-recorded sounds and instrument loops. We used 'Soundtrack' to create our sound track as it has a variety of different atmospheric categories to choose from, although it is more complicated and difficult to use in comparison to simpler software like 'GarageBand'. -
Used 'Xtranormal' to present target audience profile for evaluation
'Xtranormal' is similar to 'Go!Animate' in that it is a piece of cloud computing software that allows the user to create custom animations, but differs as its graphics are better and there is a wider choice of animation. A disadvantage of using 'Xtranormal' however, is that the voices of the animations sometimes have trouble saying certain words.
