Media Opening Sequence Evaluation- Technologies

Technologies

During the filming of our main task, we used a variety of different technologies to put it together. From cameras to software’s we picked out and used different technologies and demonstrated the use of them in our final piece. The camera that we used to film our opening sequence was the fantastic ‘Canon EOS 60D’ which we found was light and easy to work with. Canon's X0D series has throughout its life, attracted a wide range of photographers, from fans and semi-pros through to some pros who appreciated having a lightweight option. The camera was a great choice because it offered us wide range of colour variations (or 'Ambiences') which could be applied to the image when using the scene modes, and whose effect can be previewed on screen in Live View.

The 60D gave us the ability to convert raw files to jpeg in-camera, including the option to correct for lens aberrations including distortion and chromatic aberration. As an added bonus, we could looking back apply new 'Creative Filters' to files that we had shot, including 'Grainy Black and White' and 'Toy Camera' looks. The video allowed us to upload our video in the HD option of 1080p.

 Next we used the Glidecam HD 2000. This camera stabilizer assisted us to transform the hard to watch, shaky camera footage into hypnotically smooth, professional footage. The stabilizer enabled the camera to float, be balanced and isolated from our hands undesirable motions. We were free to move with the camera - panning, tilting, booming or running without any camera instability or shake. This benefited us in many ways e.g. filming specific shots such as the 360 degrees shot in our opening sequence.

Next we used a Tripod which is the standard piece of common equipment used for still-shot filming also similar to the Glidecam Camera stabilizer, helped with panning and tilting in still shots. The tripod helped us in spaces where the Glidecam was not efficient and unnecessary. 

We used a range of lenses like the Canon EF 50 mm f/1.8 II Lens and the Canon EF-S Zoom Lens 18 mm - 55 mm - f/3.5-5.6 IS MK II, which assisted us in filming shots in and out of focus when needed.

To edit our opening sequence, we used the software iMovie. A built-in library automatically organized our footage, so all the clips we’d captured were just a click away. iMovie made it quick and easy to browse the library and create our opening sequence and was also very simple to upload our video to YouTube with options to do it straight after editing. Enabling us to put our camera shots together simple all that was left was to add music and a few effects and the sequence was done.  The work was exported from iMovie and shared to YouTube so we could post to the blog.

We used music from an underground artist from Islington named ‘Joe Black’. We used two tracks from his mixtape named 'Reallionaire'.

Overall the technologies that we used in this season has benefited us massively, giving us the professional effect which is reflected in our work and final piece.