Digital Technology

How has digital technology helped you to capture your ideas for media production?

Digital technology enabled me to expand my horizons to be able to produce my final media product efficiently using a variety of software and products.  For the filming I used a Canon Camcorder that helped me document audience research as well as of course - filming for my final opening.  Different modes/ user settings on the camera allow experimentation with a variety of shots and focus modes to enhance the way that the mise-en-scene can be formed; through the simplest of buttons - such as the 'zoom' pan.  Using a variety of editing software was challenging yet allowed me to be creative as I was taught how to use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro.  Software like this enabled me to create initial ideas such as a sketch on Photoshop - easily formatted or even erased with a click of a button.  There is a variety of editing options that can be used to enhance or manipulate the image - such as my initial 'iris' image for my production company, Phantasm Films.  I was then able to create the moving animated ident in After Effects which effectively captured my ideas.  In terms of Media Production - digital technology is miraculous - Premiere Pro enabled me  to edit my final cut in as many ways possible; being able to insert my ident imported from After Effects and use effects such as 'Cross-fading' to add effect between scenes.  Even digital technology enabled the documentation of my products such as through this blog - I was able to create and update a portfolio online where I could blog with ease uploading multi-media products such as photographs, GIF animations, videos, links and sound.  Digital technology has therefore enhanced my ability to progress in terms of creating my final opening sequence with a variety of tools and the documentation process of the coursework in itself.  These are therefore many benefits however digital technology has it's disadvantages such as piracy - products can be easily leaked online and downloaded for free illegally; such as illegal music download or film that has lead to a loss in the industry for the owners of these products.  It may be also that technology may not be reliable at the best of times - such as when a computer crashes or work is not saved.  Some artists may also like to use older technology forms such as film; which may enhance an older film effect, staying classic contrasting to big budget CGI technology releases in 3D.