Describe how you developed your skills in the use of digital technology for media production and evaluate how these skills contributed to your creative decision making. Refer to a range of examples in your answer to show how these skills developed over time.

When creating the thriller opening for my foundation Portfolio we found that the Canon camera was very high quality in terms of lighting and it was high in definition, however at first we had problems transferring the footage onto the Imac at first. We used the dolly to track the movements and create tracking shots, we also used a light reflector to enhance the footage.  After we filmed the footage for our thriller, we were able to upload it onto the Imac and we were able to use softwares such as Final Cut Express, Photoshop, Live Effects where we could create effects and edit the footage. 

When using Final Cut Express, we learnt new techniques such as creating wire-frames where we were able to display two pieces of visual imagery at once, we used this when creating our production logo as we were animating a still image. We learnt how to use a fade in and fade out effect when creating the credits within our opening. I also learnt how to create a white out to create a flashback effect as the protagonist was entering her premonition. The use of the additive dissolve was used to create a blinking effect to show the protagonist going into a deep sleep, this was inspired by a scene in the film, "The diving bell and the butterfly". In terms of Garage Band,  it was very efficient to use when creating a suspensible soundtrack as we were able to create a very subtle sequence which was able to blend into our footage. 

Furthermore, when creating the advanced portfolio I found that as I was familiar with the equipment and the softwares I began to want to play around with more effects and creating more footage in order to refine the editing of the product. For example, on final cut express I did not know how to use special effects last year, however this year I learnt how to blend to images together. For example we incorporated the shots of the London Eye and the close ups of the artist which was inspired by the special effects in Pixie Lott's video, "All About Tonight". We also learnt how to use the pen tools, to split the images and to create blurs and blackouts.   We also experienced how to create quite fast editing for the dance scene as we had to keep adding markers on the timeline in order to identify where we wanted to change each shot. Last year, I briefly learnt how to use the dissolves however this year I made more use of the additive dissolves and the fades.

When creating our ancillary tasks we learnt how to create texts effects on Photoshop through the use of tutorials found using Web 2.0. I learnt how to constantly add layers when using Photoshop to create the ancillary tasks. Once I got to know the software it was easy to play with the gradients and contrasts within the software.

I thought the camera equipment was very efficient to use, we used equipment to enhance filming. For instance we used the light reflector for when the artist was singing directly into the camera in order to highlight the artists face as she was singing and to add brightness to the shot. We also used the dolly and tripod when the artist walks away from her partner towards the end of the video to track the artist in a steady way. We used extra lighting for the night dancing and night movement in order to add brightness,power and force within the shot. 

During both years of making my portfolio, I have gained many skills using the digital technology. Throughout the years I have found the editing has become more refined and able to make incredible use of the camera equipment in creative ways in order to enhance the filming.