How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Research:
In the research stages of my portfolio I used basic modes of new media technologies, such as, the internet and internet based websites like google and youtube in order to look deeper into the genre of my song choice. As google is the largest online database I took full advantage of the information that it had to offer, filtering out the irrelevant information from the integral information. I decided to use other sites like wikipedia in order to use what people who are also deeply interested in my chosen genre had to say and to develop their information into my own conclusions and ideas. I accessed all of the information via platforms including various different apple devices and mobile phones. This is testament to how technological convergence has aided my portfolio and furthered my opportunities for research.
I used Spotify Premium to finalise my song choice decision once I had selected three songs of which to choose from. Although this wasn't a vital part of my process as I could have used youtube, iTunes or sound cloud, I feel it did help as I was familiar with the software and it has a huge database of songs and offers information about genre, artists and albums.
Planning:
Throughout the planning process I started to introduce some software, such as, photoshop for my photographic storyboard and Final Cut Pro for different feedback and blogposts. This is where technology really started to kick for me, having the option to choose between software like photoshop over fireworks and being able to differ between different levels of software helped to advance my use and understanding of them in preparation for the construction of my final product. I used photoshop to touch different shots for my photographic story board then compile them into a single .jpeg to upload onto blogger, the same applies for Final Cut Pro. I stuck to FCPX because I am comfortable with it and know how to resolve any problems which I may have encountered during the planning and construction processes. Again I used the internet and survey websites like Survey Monkey to gain feedback on my planning and also to compare my plans to previously created products of the same genre, all the while using my smart phone to update Blogger on the move, again showing how technological convergence and an always on connection has helped to aid my portfolio.
Construction:
This is possibly the stage of my portfolio where technology aided me the most and all of the different software was used together. My main product and previous cuts were all edited on Final Cut Pro, as I have previously said, I am more confident with FCPX than other software like Adobe After Effects and Premier Pro, so although these platforms may be more commonly used in the professional industry I decided to stick to what I know where I know I could produce a solid product as far as editing goes. Adobe Photoshop was the basis of my entire ancillary pack, I know that other people used fireworks and struggles when it came to touching images, so I decided to use PS and I feel that it paid off, giving me an easy experience as I have some prior knowledge of the software which came into play. Again I used up to three Apple macs of different kinds and in different places, but advances in technology allowed me to carry my project on a hard drive and upload it to which ever workstation I was working at. This prevented me from being constricted to working purely at college and allowed to carry my work at home which was incredibly helpful, I may not have finished my project if I didn't have this option due to my time constraints with switching songs three quarters of the way through my allocated time.
