Evaluation Question Six: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

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

During the filming of our opening we used a range of technology, including my own FujiFilm FinePix HS10 camera, Tripod, a light board, dolly tracking as well as Adobe Premiere editing software.

Camera - FujiFilm FinePix HS10.

The camera used was the FujiFilm FinePix HS10, which is now discontinued. The camera is 10.3 megapixels with a 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS image sensor. The cameras lense is Fujinon 30x optical zoom lens, F2.8 (Wide) - F5.6 (Telephoto) and the lenses focal length is f=4.2 - 126.0mm, equivalent to 24 - 720mm on a 35mm camera.

The camera's focus distance (from lens surface) is the following; 

Normal:

- Wide: Approx. 50cm / 1.6ft. to infinity,

- Telephoto: Approx. 3.0m / 9.8ft. to infinity

Macro: 

- Wide: Approx. 10cm - 3.0m / 0.3ft. - 9.8ft.

- Telephoto: Approx. 2.0m - 5.0m / 6.5ft. - 16.4ft. 

Super Macro: 

- Approx. 1cm - 1.0m / 0.4in. - 3.2ft.

The camera turned out to be perfect for us. The movie recorded as fully HD 1080p and recorded at 30 frames/sec with stereo sound.

Dolly tracking/tripod.

Above are two images which are as accurate to the equipment we used as possible.

Due to the fact that we used a tripod we were able to film shots that were incredibly steady, allowing our film to get a more pristine, professional, clean-cut look rather than a jumpy or slightly jerky one. As well as the bonus of the pristine shots, due to the use of a tripod, we were able to connect it to the dolly tracking. Although we rarely used the tracking, it still proved to come in handy during some of the dancing shots.  

Although there were many advantages to the tracking and the tripod, there were also disadvantages; during the first few weeks of filming we truly spent most of our time attempting to sort out the tracking and the tripod. As we progressed in the filming we managed to set up earlier and quicker so that we got in the filming that was vital. As well as this the tripod that we used was rather old and therefore was quite frail. 

Lighting Board

To obtain the effect of a club for a particular scene we were aware that we needed to create a strobe effect. Thankfully, we had access to a lighting board in the schools drama room. To the right is a photo of the exact lighting board we used.

This lighting board enabled us to create a blue strobe lighting effect to make the drama room that we used take on more a club-like look to it. I believe this worked very well and is one of our best shots in the entire opening.

Adobe Premiere CS6

The final piece of technology we used was Adobe Premiere CS6. We used this editing software to not only cut our film but to enhance and tweak any lighting problems we experienced during filming. As well as this we used Adobe Premiere to add in diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. 

Over all, I think that this editing software is decent and allowed us to get the job done to a high standard, although I believe Amber and I would have preferred it to be slightly better than it came out.