Evaluation Question 6

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

During the process of constructing our product the hardware we used were a Canon XHAI Camera and tripod. Through using these we learnt how to set up and use the tripod and camera so that it remained secure and steady at all times. If this was not done it’s possible the shots would be unlevelled and not securely taken. We also learnt how to maintain the spirit level and keep it centre so that the camera shots are all level and had to remember that with every move of location with the camera, the spirit level was to be checked. From using the tripod we learnt that if all the legs on the tripod weren’t equal and level the tripod would not be stable and hold the camera upright.


For editing we used Adobe Premiere. From using this hardware we learnt how to import different images and sounds and learnt that we could import images throughout the process of editing. We used the cut tool every time we saw the white board in the shots from this we were able to split up all of our shots and edit them individually. The media technician was there to teach us how to add fades. From his teaching we were able to use ‘fades in’ and ‘fades out’ within shots to introduce the audience to a new location as some shots did not look natural as it would cut to a completely different scene. The fade then made it all flow together and look much smoother.

The special effects used made all the shots look more dull and gloomy helping to relate to the action on the screen and on the narrative of the psychological thriller, we did this by lowering the redness and the brightness of each shot. Throughout editing we used many filming techniques including total shots which allowed us to have a backup in case when editing we didn’t like the way something looked we were able to change it. We also tried to use as many different camera angles and shots to not only allow the audience to see his surrounding but to see things from his point of view.

The key lessons we learnt whilst using the technology and equipment were that the camera is the eye and that the camera needs to be level through the spirit level and the lock of the tripod clips.  We understand that there is a step by step process to ending with the media product we did and that it’s not just the case of picking up a camera and filming the idea that we had in our heads. For example the storyboard and shooting schedule, timetable for the day, actual production and post-production. We learnt that anyone can use a camera and make a film but, we learnt how to use a camera in the correct way and make a film professionally.