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

New Media Technologies are described as forms of media that are used digitally. These are opposed to old Media such as magazines and and newspapers (static representations of text and graphics). Most New Media technologies I have described are through digitally recording, software and internet related resources. However, some of the media technologies I have described are not new to Media necessarily, but are new to me.

1. The Mino Flip Camera

The Mino Flip Camera is a handheld HD camera with an internal USB which allows recordings to go straight onto the computer. We used this to film audience feedback from a fellow media group as they watched a rough cut of my film. This helped us with the evaluation stage. The flip camera was beneficial as it allowed us to record and provide a summary of how the others felt about our film. However, due to time constraints and technical difficulties we were unable to upload the actual video itself of the feedback. If we didn't have the Sony PD15O camera, we could have filmed it on the Mino Flip Camera; this proves how easy it is now for digital consumers to become producers. As for low prices anyone can make a film and distribute it for free online.

2. Blogger

Blogger, is a website for internet logging - or blogging. It has the ability to upload both film and pictures with personalized customization options. Blogging helped me through all stages as it has allowed me to keep control of all my work. By doing so online rather than paper, it saves risk of loss of work as well as the ability to keep all work presentable.

3. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a programme on the computer which is used for the purpose of creating and altering pictures. Photoshop was used during the construction and evaluation stages of my project. I used it to create my posters, reviews and moodboard of technologies. As I hadn't used Photoshop before it was extremely hard to get used to. However, over time I am now quite able to use it for creation at my advantage. With Photoshop pictures can be manipulated in practically every way. This helped me to make my work more presentable and enhance my creative skills.

4. Lowell Pro Lights

The Lowell Pro lights was used during the construction of my project. Pro lights are small lightweight lights that have the ability to be attached to a tri-pod light stand. These were used in all scenes in which Amelia's bedroom was being filmed. Lowell Pro Lights may not be considered a New Media Technology as they initially do not digitally record anything. However, this year was the first time in which I used this type of lighting and therefore it was new technology to me. This not only helped me construct my project but also helped create atmosphere and enhance my knowledge of lighting. Without the lighting each scene filmed would be considered too dark and would look of bad quality. Therefore I found it crucial to the filming process.

5. Adobe Editing Suite

The editing suite was used to edit each scene after it was filmed. This may have been to correct sound, remove scenes, add effects or edit framing. Without the editing suite we would have had to rely on filming the whole film in sequence without the ability to cut scenes. Without the editing suite our film would have been a disaster. The Editing Suite, also allows for adding effects, extra sound and altering the whole film itself. This was especially beneficial in altering uneven sound levels.

6. Sennheiser Headphones

These were used to plug into the camera so that all sound could be heard that came from the boom. As the Sennheiser headphones are of excellent quality it allowed us to hear the recordings of every single sound. In one case during filming they were not available to us, when trying out in-ear headphones we found that they were next to useless. Showing us the importance of high quality headphones when recording.

7. Microsoft Word

Microsoft word is a programme on windows used to create documents. Perhaps one of the most programmes to be taken for granted, I used from the beginning to the end of my project. From the pre-production, feedback and evaluation stages, without Microsoft Word I would have had to use a basic document writer e.g. wordpad. This would have made things extremely harder as wordpad is very limited. Without Microsoft word the storyboards, shot list, risk assessment and script would have been impossible to produce.

8. Youtube

Youtube is a social networking site used to share videos. This is to be used after the project to gain further audience feedback. By using Youtube we can upload the film and request that people leave comments for future reference when we make more films. YouTube was used frequently for research as it allowed the ability to watch several short films to gain ideas of how to create Toast before the idea was even formed. YouTube is an extremely popular way of distributing and advertising short films, as it is free and easy to upload it has become increasingly popular. Without YouTube we would have to rely on film festivals and screenings to get audience feedback.

9. Facebook

Facebook was used during the advertisement stages of making Toast, we created a page for Amelia and added teenagers of her age and posted statuses of when the film would be released.

10. Sony PD15O

In the making of previous films we used a a small hand held camera with limited settings. Using the PD150 was at first difficult as we were unfamiliar with its controls and settings. Although it didn't take longer for our cameraman to figure it all out. Without a digital camera we would have had to use film to create our project. This would have been costly and taken up more time than doing so digitally. The end result would also not be as good because effects would not have been added.

11. Boom/Windjammer

As explained in detail previously, the boom and windjammer was operated by myself as the director of sound and lighting. Using the windjammer we were able to film outside without any excess sound of wind interfering. The microphone was extremely sensitive picking up the most smallest and distant sounds. Sometimes to the effect of picking up too much sound making our editing harder to tone down sound levels. Without we wouldn't have had ability to monitor the sound that we were recording with attention to detail. This is also a new media technology to me, as I had never used it before. I have since learnt how important sound is when creating a film.

12. Scan Jet G2710

After finishing pre-production a large amount of our documents had to be put onto Blogger. However, as the script, risk assessment, shot list, storyboards, costume designs and other aspects of production had a specific layout; we were unable to copy and paste it up. Therefore, after printing we scanned our documents onto our computer and were able to put the documents up as images.