Evaluation.

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

  I used different media technologies throughout all stages of my A2 production; these technologies however depended on how well I could execute specific material. During the research stages of my coursework I mainly used the iMacs to go on the internet and research previous rap artists and to get a better general over view of the genre. I looked at successful rap artists to take note on things such as body language, facial expression, clothing and general ideologies of rap music videos I looked at various different artists which all offered something unique I looked at Jay-Z, Wiz Khalifa, Eminem and Professor Green. During the planning stages of my coursework I used Microsoft word, the internet, social networking sites- I used Microsoft word to create documents such as the shooting schedule, the character profiles, planning the timeline, and the questionnaire. I used word as it’s the software I’m most use to working with and knew It would be most efficient for these jobs.  Social networking sites were useful when finding out people’s opinions on rap and getting them to fill out the questionnaire. The construction of the video involved using more advanced media technology, during the filming of the music video I used a camcorder to capture all the footage I also used my mobile phone during this process in order for the person playing my rap artist to hear the words as we were filming. This is something I found worked really well for the end result. I also used a digital camera in order to take stills of the artist and use for my promotional package. When it came to actually editing the footage I used iMovie to play around with different things to end up with the end result, this Is where I struggled the most as I struggled with iMovie during my AS coursework as well, I have however developed my skills since then so managed to use the software more efficiently this time around.

2.  In what ways DO your media products use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

 
  I decided through my research of rap artists it would be best to reinforce forms and conventions of rap artists. I thought it would make my rap video look more realistic within the genre. So, in order to fit in with the dominant ideologies of rap music videos I had the actor dress in dark clothing and remain serious through his body language and facial expressions throughout the filming process. Rap music videos are notorious for having woman, drugs and money advertised in their videos but it could be argued I’ve challenged this ideology because I have not used any of those conventions within my video. The lyrics contain swearing and long with the aggressive body language of the actor conforms to the way rap artist behave in their videos.
We also found during research that rap tends to be all centered around the artist so this is the theme I wanted to create in my video. This is why I have used long shots of the artist walking by himself and the camera tracking him as he goes this creates a ‘journey’ like experience for the viewer.

3. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

I wanted to create a strong brand image for my artist Deeviant, so I used the same image for the poster cover that is on the front cover of the digipak this creates a brand identity and something people will recognize. Alongside, a strong bold artist title on both CD and poster this also helps construct the same idea. This is something I picked up on when it came to looking at artist’s promotional packages. Artists like Jay-Z and Eminem have a very strong brand identity and had probably contributed to their success. Not only did I want to create a brand I also wanted the Video and promotional package all to tie in together and look professional. I feel that the promotional package represents the artist well and ties in well with the music video.

4.WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND OUT FROM YOUR AUDIENCE FEEDBACK?

Our audience feedback was very constructive; our peers assessed our final product and our promotional package. The feedback for our digipak an poster were good we had comments saying it was structured professionally, although our pictures could have been clearer which would have improved the product even more. We had a good response about the artists name in bold letters our peers agreed that it created a sense of identity. However, we faced some criticism from our music video which was said could have had more of a storyline to it. I agree that our music video could have had more of a storyline especially as we were trying to create a background for the artist. We had some trouble early on with getting the words learnt and getting the actor to mime them the same time as the music, this showed first time around during editing. So with thanks to advice from peers who assessed our work we went back and re-filmed which resulted in much better quality miming in the end. After reflective time with peers of all our finished coursework pieces, we tried to make amendments to as much as we could, changing clips around and messing around with different pictures for the posters. In the end result there are still little things if I could go over a do again I would fix but I think it represents our initial idea well and fits into the rap genre correctly.