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

Being specific about the technology used whilst filming our video we used many pieces of equipment. Similary to last year we used the exact digital camera, Canon legria fs306 and a tripod. The use of a tripod helped us hugely in the making due to the fact many angles we produced as the tripod allowed us to explore these with various heights as well. The advantages of using a digital camera consisted of it being easier to handle as they are very light weight and easy to use once shown in AS. This meant we could film steadily in any direction/angle we wanted with use of the tripod. We imported our footage from the camera onto the Apple Mac computers using a card reader, it took seconds to import. There were hardly any disadvantages to using the tripod and camera combination, as we had previous knowledge from AS. The only disadvantage that could be said is the tripod only goes to a certain height and so it was difficult to obtain footage from a high place.

Another aspect of technology we used was the studio which has a different range of expert cameras, JVC 3CC0. These cameras are extremely technical and so we had the help of a teacher as we began to use to them. We grew accustomed to the use of them and eventually learnt how to use them. They were extremely beneficial as they exerted an soft and thourough image and they were moveable, so we could put them in any position we desired to gain the shots we neeed. Jacob performed in the studio which reflects most modern day hip hop videos, as they all contain a performance which looks extremely professional. In the studio we had the choice of using green screen or a simple coloured background. We took advantage of both these offers and filmed using both the blank coloured and green screen so we had a lot of footage, and the choice of two. Green screening was a great facility as it allowed use to insert any image we wanted onto the screen with Jacob performing infront. We used images that were greatly associated with the lyrics, for example "bottles" we used a picture of a bottle and with "money" we used a selection of different notes. We also opted to use some of the footage filmed with a white blank screen. This contrasted with the black costume Jacob was wearing and this was indeed our idea. By using simple colours we are presenting the contrasts of life.

'CHOOSE ONE'

A green screening used was a Money background. This is used when the lyric "Make it stack" is being said. The money in the background is shows the money piling ontop of each other acsocaiting to the lyric. Money is however very sterotypical in this genre of hip hop music due to the fact it justifactes power and status. We tried to replicate this aspect in our video as it conveys jacob, the protagonists, moving 'On to the next one'.

'MAKE IT STACK'

'SO I SWITCHED GOLD BOTTLES ONTO THAT SPADE SH*T'

Our adaptability allowed us to experiment with different video footage in search of attaining the best outcome for our video. For example we would compare footage of Jacob's performance gathered on the Arndale rooftops to a whole performance shot against the green screen. This process revealed to us the benefits of using the green screen through its interchangeable background and adaptability to fit specific scenes.

We used the vision mixing desk which allowed us to cut and produce different angles between cameras. We

were at first unaware of how to use it because was of course new to us being the first time we used it. These features allowed us to explore and use a wide range of shots making our video imaginative and intriguing for others to watch. Once all the footage for our video had been obtained we had to go about editing it, using "Final Cut Pro" editing program. This was easy to use as we had used it in AS and so we had particular knowledge. However, we did in fact have to re-cap as we had forgotten some aspects such as changing the size of the shot or applying a specific effect. When our sharpness was attained, we began to experiment with the various amounts footage we had collected in search of something unique and original. For example the climax of our production consisted of various scenes which were specifically edited to every 2 beats to create an essence of montage editing.