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

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

By using digital media technologies I have used technological convergence to ensure that I have produced three products as a part of a successful campaign.  My use of social network sites such at YouTube has enabled me to become a prosumer, a creator of media products to a near professional standard.  The use of Final cut pro as a piece of editing software has taught me how to select and organise a music video to a very high standard using semi-professional  media equipment.  I have also been able to share ideas and research global and industry standard products.  Digital technology has made available to me opportunities to upload, share and distribute my products using You tube as a free online broadcast platform.  It is also interactive which allows audiences to feedback for example by adding a 'like' and comment on my products giving their views. These new skills learned on this course have enabled to gain experience not only as a user of digital technology, but also to also become a producer.

Technologies used in Pre-production and Post-production

In the Pre-Production I used a variety of different media technologies that enabled me to prepare for the music video.

I used the Internet as a research and planning tool in the preparation of the music video; search engines such as Google enable me to research our target audience, others bands within the indie rock genre and other music videos which influenced the ideas towards our final concept. YouTube allowed me to further research the band’s music videos again allowing me to see the similar bands videos and to listen to songs with similar lyrics. This allowed us to finalise our concept and gave us further ideas for the mis-en-scene and props in our video.

I use mobile phone technology to upload pictures of the studio on to our blog so we were able to further plan the set design and work with the space given. This also enabled us to record our progress and planning. I used my Iphone to digitally record several shots from the shot day of the make up being done, the different stages of making the scenes and taking shots of myself filming during the day, this technology allowed me to personally upload my thoughts and views, posting this of eBlogger and enabling me to have a visual digital record of my planning progress. Using my phone I was also able to take pictures of group work that we were doing on paper and post a digital copy eg set designs and mind maps.

Additionally in the pre-production process I created a shot by shot animatic storyboard where I used Final Cut Pro software to piece together my animation and all the shots

Post-Production

In the post production I designed and made a CD digipak cover using photoshop; here I learned about layering photos and using effects to enhance colour and merge to different pictures together to create a unique affect. Overall the software Photoshop helped my manipulate images to suit the style of the package promotion desire my the band to match their overall star imagine.

Furthermore, during post production I used presentational software such as Prezi, Microsoft PowerPoint, Scribd, slideshare and Sliderocket to improve and make my progress of work look more professional and readable on  eBlogger in order to convey a successful media campaign.

 

Twitter account

 

The website has many links to social network sites including twitter, Facebook and music sites such as YouTube and sound cloud. The twitter link allows the band to be viewed by the many users which use twitter all over the world. The site posts dates of the tour dates and gigs which wonderland will be playing at and images of the band members would be posted to keep the band followers and fan based keen and interested. The band twitter account is another way for the band to be marketed and the fans can like/retweet posts which are posted which allow participatory culture from the fans. 

Figures and statistics from youtube

These images taken from YouTube showing the rates and viewers from all around the world. The fact that people from other country's other than the united kingdom shows that our product has the chance to be a world wide product which can be distributed via YouTube, which allows Wonderlands newest single to be marketed and the star image of the band to be conveyed.

 

 

 

 

The majority of the viewers are situated in the united kingdom, however the second country which has viewed the video is Greece, Singapore and then followed by a number of other European countries and other countries such as Hong Kong and Brazil

Number of views

By posting the music video onto YouTube it allows it to be globally distributed and attract a wide audience. There has also been a link to iTunes which allows the 'Mardy Bum' single to be brought on iTunes.

The latest number of views shows that our track has been successful in promoting the single and the star image.

Task 3: Further information of the secondary audiene

Narelle who is ages 39, who is currently an actor who is interested in music answered some questions which contributes towards our secondary audience feedback. She gave detailed answers which allowed me to compare the answers with the answers given from the focus group of our target audience.

Task 3: Secondary audience feedback

1 Do you like the dolls house concept? What did you derive from it?

 Very simple and clear message. It come across as a perfect American household with a perfect couple living the American dream which I interpreted as a false situation and nothing can be perfect forever.

2 What did you think of the start of the video?

 A young single man that has nothing in his life dreaming of being with somebody and living together happy ever after in their own house. After a couple of times I realised that the guy in the start of the video is actually the lead singer of the band. So he is actually watching the perfect couple all the time, wanting that situation to happen to him.
 
3 Do you think the video/band is similar to artists with a similar genre? if so who?

It reminded me of the bands in the early 90s like Blur, Oasis and Pulp.
 
4 Do you think the style suits the genre?

 The American version of the kitchen sink drama. You can imagine these bands playing in a location for example in a warehouse, waste ground or in a forest supporting the story being filmed elsewhere. Having a split location.

5 Do you think that the CD digipak is realistic and professional?

 I thought the cd cover linked very well with the group's name, the concept of the video and the song lyrics. It looked professional as if it could have been sold in the shops or online now.  It wouldn't look out of place alongside other cds sold right now at all.

6 Would the CD digipak get your attention?

Yes it would get my attention. Using a big world would attract me instantly to have a look. Just because I can connect to the picture and also on the back of the cd it is funky, using funky font and putting a border around the words to make them stand out ever more.

7 Do you think the website is effective in creating an overall star image of the band?

 I thought the website indicated that the band was modern and trendy. The layout and the style of the website created the image.

8 How easy was it to navigate the website?

It was easy to follow and had all the relevant and necessary information on it. It was very clear and self explanatory. The description on each page was precise and told you the purpose of each page. I particularly liked the information on the band members. Putting that personal touch to the website allows you to connect better with your audience.

9 Is there anything you think we could have done more effectively in the whole campaign?

 Perhaps you could have done the inside of the cd with the lyrics and information about the band members like on the website especially if it was their first single so that the fans can connect to the group members. On the website and on the cd you could have had links to their facebook page and twitter page.

10 Is there anything that is unclear/ anything you would change?

 I didn't realise the couple was in the dolls house. Maybe if there had been furniture in the dolls house and 2 dolls to represent the couple it would have been clearer and I would have made the connection.

11 Did the idea of the perfect world come through in the video?

Definitely, the way the couple acted together creating the perfect romantic atmosphere. Everything appearing to be very nice and lovely.

12 What were your favourite elements of the video?

 It starts of being a contrast between the lyrics of the song being opposite to the action of the couple's story and then at the end  of the story it ends up being the same.

13 do you feel that you relate to the band or characters?

I guess everybody wants the perfect life but it never happens. It might be perfect for a bit then something happens. You see somebody else's life and it looks perfect. But what you see might not be true or it wont last. You should just concentrate on your own life and not other peoples.

Task 3: What is a focus group?

A focus group is a group of people assembled to participate in a discussion about a product before it is launched, or to provide feedback on a political campaign, television series.

Focus group questions could include having the group watch your video and then video their reactions. Also filming your target audience  navigating the website.