Evaluation question 6

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

My technical skills improved much more after the main task than preliminary task as we had lessons on how to use the editing software and camera and also sound. We used camera “Canon XHA1’’ as I was the responsible for handling and filming with the camera I had to know how to use it properly and I needed to make sure all of are shots came out they way we wanted so I learned how to use the camera the most out of all the equipment needed with camera I learned how to slow down the zoom because we needed for one of are shots a slow zoom from the flats to the road. I also learned how to use the lines so I don’t cut something in the shot and I also learned as when the sound kit is plugged you need to check the sound levels to see if you have sound and if not you need to change settings in the menu also if the sound levels are too high you might pick up sound you don’t need or you can’t pick up the sound you want. Also the tripod we used was ‘Vinten Pro Touch Tripod’ which was really easy to use and carry to the location needed as it was light to carry and the thing I learn about is when the camera is placed on the tripod you need to make sure the spirit levels which is important as if you don’t check the levels the camera might be tilted therefore resulting your shots not as effective or coming out wrong and not creating the effect or when you review you may not be happy with it and you will have to re-take them shots which would waste loads of time also tripod helped us a lot because we mainly had still shots. The sound kit we used was ‘Senncheiser K6 Microphone’ which was the good microphone because it picked up all the sound even the sound we didn’t want so therefore we had to move places. We needed the camera in order to film are footage we needed sound because we was going to used sound in are opening sequence but then we changed are minds and used a soundtrack instead. We needed to use the tripod so the shots come out right and also because we had only still shots. We needed the microphone to pick the sound because the built-in microphone in the camera wasn’t really good and it doesn’t pick up sound like external microphone. We needed the headphone in order to hear the sound levels and to make sure the sound we heard is what we needed for are product. The windshield was very important we used it because we needed to get clear sound and XLR lead in order to make the sound work and connect it to the camera.

We also used ‘Rycote Windshield System’ this helped us to have clear sound the thing I learned about it is that the fur part is only used while filming outside. We also used the ‘Senncheiser HD 205’ headphones to hear sound and to make sure the sound levels are good. In order to connect are sound we needed to use ‘XLR lead’ which needed to be plugged in the camera in channel 1 port.

The editing software we used was ‘Adobe Premier Pro’ to edit opening sequence. The advantages of the software that it is easy to use, there are a many effects you can choose from also you can add titles and the disadvantages when you save some changes undo which again you have to change them. We used the software for trimming shots putting them in order as we had many shots just to do with editing we needed to use for things such as: statistics, quotes, soundtrack, credits and also effects it was really important to use the software to reach that we also added a soundtrack making it fade in and fade out. To create credits we used ‘add title’ which was really straight forward and also we used titles that rolled on shots. Therefore by editing we made are product look really good and sharp to watch. By editing I learn how to use effects how to fade in and fade out also how to make titles and make them roll on the shot. While editing we needed to use 80 GB lacie drive to store are work in. At the beginning we also needed to firewire lead to digitize all of are shots on the software. The software was really easy to use digitizing was really simple as I done that on the preliminary task. I was a bit struggling with the titles and credits but I asked for help and from there I was confident with creating titles and credits. However we had one issue with the sound which was the soundtrack didn’t work also the gunshot sound, but at the end we managed to make it work we looked at the software’s tools closely how to import sound because that was the mistake we were making therefore the sound wasn’t working. With using effect at first it was a bit difficult but as I carried on using it, it was getting easier each time.

The filming techniques I learnt were the pan shot how it’s used and when to use it also the establishing shots to show the area. I learned panning the camera and movement also the low angle shot us we had in are sequence and I learned how to place the camera and how. It was the first time I used the panning shot and the establishing shot.

The editing techniques I learnt was using the effects such as fades also the way the title come up dissolve and credits roll on the shots. We used credits because it is part of the conventions of an opening sequence. As are opening sequence was a bit too short we had to make some duration of the shots longer as are last shot didn’t come out right and as we didn’t have any safety shots we to use fades and the duration tool to make it look better and make it as a longer shot. The key lessons I learnt while using the technology is always check the sound levels and check if the sound interference is good. Another important thing would be always check the spirit level of the tripod to make sure the camera is placed straight.