Evaluation

Question 6:

For our production we learnt how to use Cameras, Tripods, Apple Mac computer, basic editing software such as i-Movie and music software such as Garage Band. For the video shooting skills we firstly learnt how to film a steady shot using a tripod, then developed onto pans and then using different angles.

We learnt how to change the zoom length on the cameras and also using the manual focus on the DSLR’s. We used two Canon 550D’s to film our media work which we purposely used for the high definition they deliver, the interchangeable lenses and the ability to manually focus.

As someone who uses a DSLR for photography I already knew how to change lenses and what lens would suit a particular shot, and by the end Niall and Ed were both in tune with this as well. However, I had never filmed with a DLSR before so this was interesting and I feel that as a group we all coped with the step up very well. The camera allowed for some very interesting shots which we wouldn’t have been able to achieve with the school camera. For example, the school cameras cannot be manually focused which means that we could not do several of the effective shots e.g. the barbed wire shot.

For our editing techniques we learnt how to make basic changes to the footage. Although they were basic, we felt that this worked with the piece. The cuts were something we wanted to make perfect and we were really chuffed when we cut things to match the music. We had to cut and edit the footage to flow. For example, when the coin is picked up it is in time with the beat of the music.

This meant cutting and re-cutting meticulously.

Also with the colour touch up, we couldn’t use the same levels for each bit of film because the lighting conditions changed throughout the shooting of the footage.

This is also something we had to contend with; lighting. The day was overcast but the clouds were moving fast so the lighting conditions brightened and dimmed depending on the cloud cover. This meant that continuity and filming shots varied. We came over this by editing each piece individually and also shooting things several times. Shadows were also an issue because of the amount of time we were there, this effected continuity. Unfortunately we were let down by the equipment towards the end. When doing the zooming out shot, the camera starting to freeze every time, meaning that it didn’t come out as smooth as it should have been. Even using the shake reducing tool on i-Movie didn’t correct it.