New Programmes and Skills

When we started the coursework I had never used the Mac computers before and was excited to see what they can do and the difference between them and other computers. This was very visible to me because straightaway I acknowledged different new programmes that I have only seen on the Mac's and interesting ways of using tools to create effects. I also found that simple tasks like saving and uploading were much quicker and easier on the Mac's. When revealed to the Mac computers we did have some practise from our preliminary task when making our music video. This meant that were able to become familiar with the tools and layout of the programme Final Cut Express. This is the programme we used to edit all of our trailer and found a comparison between this and the programme we previously used in AS, Pinnacle. I think Final Cut Express has more techniques available for us to use to help give our trailer better effects and the setup of the programme is easier to use. I personally see editing as one of weaker areas in this project as I am much more able on Photoshop but I think through this project and with help from the other members of my group I have definitely developed my skills and become much more confident with the programme. Towards the end of the project I felt that I could comfortably use most tools. I think one of the most time consuming and difficult times i had using Final Cut express is when me and another member of the group tried to make the title run smoother but we didn't know the effect of the different transitions well enough to help us change it. I think if we had more time I would have been able to explore this more to know I had a larger variety of transitions and effects.

As I have mentioned we used Photoshop to produce the magazine cover and poster for the project. As I use this programme in another subject I felt that this would be my stronger point in the project and I found that I helped other members of my group. Me and Laura took a big part in producing the magazine cover and poster but we all had our input and the other members were able to develop their skills too. We used Photoshop because we felt that this would be the best programme to use to modify images and to help us build up layers, especially for the poster. We made small changes using the programme but found they were effective and helped the presentation of our photographs. However, we did use PowerPoint on the Mac's for the magazine cover because we all decided that this is the easiest way for us to import text over the top of the cover image and place the text in various places and the use of different fonts and sizes. I think the programme helped us produce a pleasing magazine cover.

To film the trailer we decided on using the HD Flip Cameras which is different to what we used in our preliminary task. This is because we thought the camera was easier to use in different angles and also uploaded footage onto the Mac's very easily. It also meant that whilst filming we could easily play back what we had filmed to see if it was okay to use. I found the cameras easy to use and the tripods that we used definitely made the footage less shaky. I think with the tripods our filming wouldn't be so clear and wouldn't look professional. From using the cameras I learnt that the quality of the cameras is very good and gives a clear picture.

Another new programme that I was involved in using was GarageBand to create the music for our trailer. I hadn't used the programme before and found it great fun to listen and mix the different sounds available on the programme. When practising it was interesting to see how different sounds create different atmospheres and this was something we thought about when creating the music for the trailer. Along the way on the programme I learnt how to gradually lower the sound of the music so it fades out in sections and how to change the speed of the music. I think the programme is very easy to use it was just sometimes difficult to decide whether the sounds we were putting together worked.

 

To gain feedback about our trailer we used Facebook and You Tube as we knew that they are very popular sites and the majority of people our age use the sites. Exposing our trailer onto this sites showed me how much use the sites get and also how they are a great way to advertise products to our age group.