1. How did you use media technologies
in the construction, research ,
planning and evaluation stages?

2. Research;
 The main tool used in our research was the Internet. This allowed us to browse through
various sites thanks to Google and find out research on albums, conventions and
information on the things we need. Also it allowed me to see what typical rap artists wear
which helped me massively in seeing what a typical British rap artist would wear.
Sites such as Wikipedia helped us to find out background information on artists and genres
which helped us when creating our own music artist.
 Furthermore, sites such as YouTube allowed me to watch other artists' videos and
compared them e.g. American videos to British which helped me learn that American
videos are more high budgeted than British.
 The use of a video camera also helped us when filming our video as it allowed us to identify
various camera shots and practise certain angles and shots before recording to ensure we
got the best shot possible. If it did not turn out right, we could then delete it and re-film it.
 We also managed to use our phones to capture ‘behind the scene’ footage for our video.

3.  To organise my research, I put it on to a website called BlogSpot
which allowed me to keep track of all the research I had carried out
and refer back to it whilst creating my video and digi-pack.
 Also, while gathering my research, I could see how certain things
linked in with each other and how I could relate my research to my
product in order to make sure it would follow the right conventions
(e.g. research on British Rap would be incorporated in to my music
video)

4. Planning;
 Whilst preparing for our music video we made an animated story
board so that we could plan what scenes we were going to shoot,
where it would be shot and how (camera angles).
 This was done by firstly drawing out the images on a piece of paper
before then using a camera to take pictures of and upload on to the
computer. We then used iMovie to help us create the animated story
board by making sure the slides shown would correspond to the
lyrics or the verse of the song we wanted it to.
 By doing this it also helped us to get used to the software iMovie as
when it came to editing our video, things would seem easier and
quicker.

5. Planning;
 We then went on to creating a scheduled calender / plan of
what scenes we would shoot on what day so that we had
enough time between each shot to make sure it was perfect
and also to make sure that everyone could attend on the
selected dates.
 We also included what costumes and equipment would be
needed for the day as well as what actors so that when it
came to shooting, no time would be wasted and we would
be able to shoot the correct scene the way we originally
planned. (Instead of organising ourselves while at the
scene- we had already been prepared)
 To create our schedule we used Prezi which clearly showed
what needed to be done on what day.

6. Filming
 To film our product we had used a Digital
video camera.
 This was highly useful compared to other
medias such as Phones or digital cameras as
it allowed us to instantly select certain clips
that we did not like and delete them which
meant we were only left with the scenes we
needed.

7. Editing
 When the filming had been complete, we then
uploaded our clips on to a software called iMovie.
 This enabled us to create the video the way we
wanted by allowing us to cut/add scenes in time with
the song. Also, we then learned how to add effects
to the clips to make it more visually attractive.
 As it was not our first time using iMovie, we
managed to work out how to use the software quite
fast, however, due to some clips not deleting or
being added, this created a few problems which then
slowed the process down, but still allowed us to
complete it.

8. Ancillary Texts
 In order to save time, whilst creating our video, we also focused on
creating the Digi-Pack as well.
 The main software we had used was Photoshop which we had previously
used in AS Media, therefore was straight forward to use and saved us
plenty of time. Photoshop allowed us to create many effects on to our
images and achieve the continuous theme of having effects (which were
used in our video) on to the digi-pack as well. It also allowed us to ensure
that all the products looked similar. We also managed to merge pictures
together and add layers on to another picture to make it look like a more
realistic Digi-Pack.
 For any effects/editing that we did not know how to do, we decided to
use Google/YouTube to work out how to do it rather than wasting time
by playing around with the tools.
 Furthermore, another software used was Picasa which is a photo editing
software that allowed us to make our images look like the best quality
picture possible.

9. Evaluation
 Using media technologies to present my evaluation helped me in many different
ways in terms of presentation and using different medias all in one place.
 Prezi is one of the key programmes I like use when presenting my research or
evaluation as it makes it more entertaining to read and also allows me to add videos
from YouTube or include images from the Internet or my own computer.
 Microsoft PowerPoint also allowed me to keep my evaluation clear and organised in
terms of keeping all of my points separate, rather than typing it up in essay form on
Microsoft Word. I then uploaded my PowerPoint's on to a website called ‘Slide share’
which enabled me to place my work on my Blog.
 I also used video devices such as my phone or video camera in order to film my
audience feedback as it would be more entertaining for the reader/audience. I then
uploaded this on to YouTube which was then transferred on to my blog.
 Having the chance to use a wide range of technologies showed me that there are
other ways of presenting work in a more appealing way. I also learnt how to use new
software's that I had never used before such as iMovie and learning how to use these
programmes gave me skills that could be transferred on to other future projects.