28/3/2012 - Technology During Our Production

 We used technology throughout out our production with both ancillary tasks and our main task.
We used Microsoft word to create our With Child magazine review which allowed us to use shapes and borders to create the conventional layout of the magazine. We then used text boxes to insert the text in columns. Microsoft Word allowed us to change the font of the text, insert pictures and alter the layout easily. This meant we could create a magazine that was appealing to our audience by following the conventions of a magazine review and receiving feedback through the blog.

To create and edit our poster we used Photoshop CS3; a well known, advanced editing software. With this software we was able to edit the background (to black), inset text and change the style, e.g. add a glow around the text or make the character darker by using the brightness/contrast tool. We was able to use shape tools that created our logo. We then exported the poster as a JPEG image - allowing us to post it on the blog and receive constructive feedback.
We also used technology during filming. To record our short film we used a Canon 500D camera, that captured footage at 720p. This technology allowed us to re-watch the footage and re-film if necessary. With a lens on the camera, we was able to twist it and put shots in or out of focus, creating a depth of field. This technology was extremely useful for filming our production capturing interesting shots whilst using a tripod to keep shots steady.
Whilst editing our production we used Final Cut Pro X, that allowed us to import, put together and edit clips on a time line. We was able to add effects such as the camera being blurred during a point of view angle (giving the impression we could see what Lily sees through her tears). We was able to adjust volume on clips, add credits and export the film straight to YouTube at 720p.
Finally, we used technology for our sound evaluation by using a microphone to record it on Audacity. This allowed us to increase and decrease the volume whilst evaluating, playback the footage without interruptions and export the sound recording as an MP3. After we inserted this in to Final Cut Pro X, and by using a screen recorder we was able to play moving images and pictures alongside the sound evaluation as you watch.

28/3/2012 - Feedback During Our Production

We took advantage of the blog by receiving comments as feedback from our production and giving feedback to other groups. This communication between groups allowed us to evaluate each piece of work posted on the blog,  receive pros and cons from an audience, allowing us to decide whether to make the adjustment and amend the piece of work if necessary.

By allowing feedback through the blog; using the comments, we were also opening our production to a wider audience (as the blog is accessible through the Internet worldwide). This again gave us ways to improve our work.

We also presented our ideas continuously throughout our production so we were constantly reminded who our audience were and what ideas they thought were good or bad. This allowed us to make amendments to the point where everyone fully enjoyed the short film and felt the ancillary tasks were appealing and understandable.

By posting the short film on YouTube as well we opened up our audience to a variety of people, giving us the opportunity to receive feedback through comments. This is more accessible than Blogger as well because you are constantly suggested videos and anybody could come across our video through links.

27/3/2012 - Synergy During Our Production

Synergy can be described as sharing media using more than one platform. This synergy created a brand identity where our brand name becomes well known and our house style is always consistent so our audience know who we are and can trust our products.

We used synergy throughout our production when exporting our production from Final Cut Pro X to YouTube; this allowed a quick upload so we were able to get feedback instantly on YouTube.
We also used synergy by sharing our YouTube video's such as our movie drafts and evaluation to our blog. This gave us a wider audience to gather feedback by simply using the Internet.

By placing our blog website url on both our ancillary tasks: magazine review and poster; we were able to advertise our production to a generation that uses the Internet in everyday life. This kept a generic house style and created a professional look on CLMMEDIA. All three of our products were made with a sleek style to look professional using the text Cambria constantly but also following conventions from our research. All 3 of our products worked together in raising awareness and gaining the interest of the audience by making a connection through house style and appearance.

15/3/2012 - Final Evaluation of With Child

This our final evaluation of our With Child production however throughout the video there are a few seconds that show only a black screen with no image. This wasn't intended and was caused by exporting such a large file from Final Cut Pro X to YouTube. The screens are usually only where there would be an image, however nearer the end where we begin to talk about using Microsoft Word as a technology throughout our production whilst working on our magazine review there should be a video of us changing the font and showing the techniques that we used to create our ancillary task. These black screen only occur 2, 3 times throughout the video.

23/1/2012 - With Child (Final Draft)

23/2/2012 - Magazine Review (Final Draft)

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We have made some amendments to the Magazine review, fixing a few sentence structures and adding a paragraph about the producer's future.

8/2/2012 - Update

Last month we presented our Short film again to a small audience in class along with our magazine review and poster. After feedback we have now edited and redrafted our magazine review and short film. The short film will be posted within the next 1-2 days whilst our media teacher has taken our magazine review to give constructive feedback so we can finalise it.

We evaluated how we subverted, reproduced, created and developed the forms and conventions of our research to create our ancillary tasks which include the magazine review on With Child and the With Child poster - both are now on the blog.

We are also half way through creating our evaluation that includes a voice over almost like a directors commentary. After this we will incorporate the voice over across footage of our film and print screened tasks that relate to our project.

The blog has a new layout to make navigation easier by adding tabs at the top of the page so you can direct yourself to specific areas of the production e.g. research or planning.

We have made a list of things to do in the next few days that will finish off our advanced portfolio:

• Upload the final draft of our short film: With Child
• Upload the final draft of our magazine review
• Upload a document of the progress taken to edit our short film
• Upload the voice over evaluation

8/2/2012 - NEW LAYOUT FOR BLOG

CLICK HERE FOR CLOSER VIEW

It's now even easier to browse our blog!

8/2/2012 - Magazine Review Evaluation

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8/2/2012 - With Child Poster Evaluation

Click here for closer view (first half)

Click here for closer view (second half)

29/1/2011 - Magazine Review (Draft 3)

CLICK HERE FOR A CLOSER VIEW

We have added an interview and compressed the writing in to a small space (1 page) so the review is brief and won't give to much away. This also gives a more realistic view as a short film would not be featured across 4 pages.

9/1/2012 - Magazine Review Feedback

Feedback on Magazine Review

1. Include an interview
2. Some sentences wern't structured well
3. Picture taglines are too vague
4. Pictures are effective and show the most important scenes of the short film
5. Sounds like an essay format
6. Star ratings are cleverly used showing the conventions of a film
7. Magazine looks professional
8. Remove what the characters dress like
9. The audience disliked the fact that the behind the scenes section included us talking about the lack of time
10. The names were confusing because a few times we included the actor's name in brackets whilst other times we incuded the character's name in brackets

9/1/2012 - Short Film Feedback

Feedback on Short Film

1. Make the font capital letters
2. Start goes out of focus for a bit however we simply do not have the time to re-film
3. Charlotte began to slow down as if she was expecting to get assaulted - perhaps cut the last part
4. Bathroom scene is very effect, a lot of the audience like the blurred vision and brilliant acting from Charlotte
5. Uncomfortable watching however this proves it is effective and realistic
6. Good quality DVD playback
7. Video was fluent and professional
8. Have the shot focused on the ring straight after the fade to black transition - remove the shot of Charlotte being thrown to the ground

23/11/2011 - Update

Recently we have been focusing on our ancillary task; the short film review. We have gone through several drafts after receiving plenty of feedback. In the next week we are improving and finalizing the final draft - which will be posted on to the blog shortly.

We have also yet to export our final draft of the short film, after completing the production in Final Cut Pro X - we will export the short film on to a DVD where the resolution and quality is supported by most computers.

We have yet to, record and evaluate the production using a microphone on the software; Audacity. We will then import the sound recording on to Premiere Pro and add images, videos and text that correspond with the recording.

This week we have also redesigned the blog, representing media whilst giving off a more sophisticated layout. You are able to click on images that appear with a new black display behind them, looking sleek and professional, this also allows you to navigate between each image on the post.

Designing the new layout of the blog.

Example of the new image viewer on our blog.

21/11/2011 - Magazine Review Draft 2

Here is the second draft of our magazine, we have made corrections from the feedback recieved; correcting mistakes and improving sentence structure.

CLICK HERE TO HAVE A CLOSER VIEW (PAGE 1)

CLICK HERE TO HAVE A CLOSER VIEW (PAGE 2)

7/11/2011 - Magazine Review Draft 1

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Here is the first draft of the magazine review, we have followed the layout from Empire magazine and Sight & Sound along with the language used to interact with the audience. Feel free to give us feedback so we are able to improve on the task.

11/10/2011 - Filming

After receiving feedback from our first draft short film we were suggested to perhaps add a dip to black and have the shouts of the offender and the cries of Lily still playing to add emotion.

We carried out this process by sound recording Chris and Charlotte in a quiet empty field. To get in to character, Charlotte and Chris had a fake argument, where Charlotte began punching Chris in the chest; once Chris became slightly angry he got in character and started shouting at Charlotte. The two moved each other round whilst sound recording, pushing and shoving until Charlotte collapsed on Chris crying. After the sound recording, both made up and were smiling after successfully knowing we had completed the filming and production of the short film.

The host file of the mp3 that includes the original audio sound of Chris and Charlotte getting in to character and acting can be found here.

10/10/2011 - Magazine Review Analysis (Empire)

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7/10/2011 - Magazine Review Analysis (Sight & Sound)

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7/10/2011 - Feedback Report

After showing our second draft of our film in front of a small audience we received a lot of positive feedback. The audience felt the rape assault was a lot better and stronger when reaching out to the audience's emotion. They enjoyed the blurred screen when the rape was taking place as well as the new dip to black screen with the cries of Lily and the viscous voice of the offender are still heard. This is quite emotional and has shown a massive improvement with the assault compared to before.

The audience also like the bathroom scene and the blurred out focus view of Lily's vision looking at the shower. This gives the impression that she is crying and ill. The backing track also appealed to the audience whilst they stated it adds to the emotion and makes the short story very strong, revealing the true genre and meaning of the film.

We will be creating the final draft shortly whilst fixing the flash of green that appears half way through the film from exporting. We will also adjust the unsteady movement in some shots caused from the stabilization tool in Final Cut Pro.

6/10/2011 - Update

We are currently finishing off our project overall whilst considering our new deadline, which we have agreed as a group that a reasonable deadline would be by 12/10/2011. Our original deadline which was set at 5/10/2011 has over run and has been extended for another week because we felt it was necessary to research more in to the conventions of a magazine review before starting. I also want to receive more feedback before completing our final cut of With Child.
We have recently researched and compared the conventions of a magazine review between formal film enthusiastic magazines and more informal bigger magazines such as EMPIRE. We will be starting the magazine review on the 7/10/2011 with a first draft done by the 10/10/2011. By our deadline we should have the final draft of our film magazine review complete after receiving possible feedback on our blog.
We have already begun completing the final cut of our With Child short story, and we will show it in front of a small audience to receive a bit more feedback one last time.
There is still a few things we need to upload to the blog that should be uploaded in the next couple of days. Overall however i feel we will be onset for our 12/10/2011 deadline if we continue to work on each area of our project steadily.

6/10/2011 - With Child (draft 1)

If there is anymore feedback offered, it would greatly help us with the completion of our final cut.

5/10/2011 - Consent Forms

We designed two Consent Forms so that each participant understood what was taking place in the film, and just in case the public questioned what we were doing.

5/10/2011 - Filming

Last month we found ourselves filming the final part to our short film, where Lily Rhode's reveals her pregnancy 2 months after the assault.

Our first shot was to feature Charlotte (playing Lily) coming out of the bathroom and in to the bedroom where she shows her stomach in front of the mirror.

After looking at her new image in the reflection, Lily breaks down. At this point where you can see from the video we were able to make an effective shot from using our planned storyboard. We asked Charlotte to fall to the ground holding a pillow; the camera then zoomed in capturing her body language and facial expression. We found this shot quite interesting as we wanted viewers to see the new image of Lily and her reaction; it wasn't as complicated as the previous shot featuring the assault and we were able to get the filming done quite quickly.

We are currently editing our final draft of the short film which should be uploaded to the blog by the end of the week as we approach the end of our production.

5/10/2011 - Codes and Conventions of a Magazine

Here we have created a table of codes and conventions that a magazine review page should include; comparing two magazines, that has helped us understand what we should include in our magazine review page.