Level 3 Media Nationals - Unit 2 Student Evaluation

I had completed a media GCSE last year and I knew basic skills of how to use Photoshop, Garage Band, Illustrator and Final Cut. I then decided to take on A level media, to make my skills even better. I think my skills have got much better in unit 2 and I can now work independently on Photoshop, and if I do struggle or need help then I won't hold back to ask. To create my magazine cover that I made I did this in Photoshop. Last year in GCSE I also made a magazine cover, but i found that it took me less time and more skills were used to make it, making it overall a better magazine cover. I think that my magazine is suitable for a wide range and isn't too busy or overpowering. At first I found it hard to use Garage Band, but then I got use to it I found it quite easy to use. I used Garageband to make my sound clips using different sounds.  In the course I made a film trailer for a film, this was the most creative and productive part of the course, I could use my skills I had learnt with the camera and final cut. At first I thought I wouldn't enjoy it, but as i got into i really enjoyed it and this was my favourite part of the course. After i had final finishing shooting all the scenes I then imported them into final cut. I then started to produce my film trailer using the different tools on final cut. I edited some of the sound and contrast and colour of the images I used to give it a more edgy and professional feel. I put a soundtrack in the background called the devils 39s backbone as i thought that this really worked in the film trailer.  the style of the style of the music started of very subtle, leading up to a fast tempo which draws you in and gives more tension. I used special effects on the texts I added to really show off my skills and give impact to the audience.

Throughout the course I asked other students for help. This was so I could get better at my skills and so they could show me what they know to help me improve. To film the scenes for the film trailer we worked together as a team, and I enjoyed working together, as I could show others my skills that I already know. When we worked together as a group we had individual roles, and this is very important to the group. We all put our ideas together so we all knew what we were doing and what had to be done to achieve the best out come that we could. The roles were equally spread out to everyone so that it was fair. Working as a group is good as people tell you what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong, and it is also good to have the skill to work as a team. No one really had a specific role in the group all though we were given out separate roles, this was so that we could all help each other out so everyone got so show off their experience and learn of people throughout the filming. I also enjoy working on my own , so then I only have to rely on myself and nobody else and if anything goes wrong I have myself to blame. I like to present my work with my own touch and unique style, so that they feel more and show of the creative side to work that I have. The first presentation was the design of my CD packaging for an upcoming Coldplay album. I presented my CD cover, and the research that I did before making the final CD cover, such as the mood board and my influence sheet of which influenced me to do certain things. I then received feedback from the focus group, they told me what they liked about it and what they didn't so i could then improve it. I had to give feedback to other people in my class on their CD packaging, which i found quite difficult, as i didn't want to offend anyone, but you can then give them some negative points to help them in order to get them a better mark. If I feel that i am getting behind in work then I catch up in my frees, as I like to keep on top of my work and meet deadlines that are set.

At the beginning of this course I didn't think that I would have enjoy it, as I only new basic skills, but I have learnt new skills and really enjoyed it, if I wanted to improve my skills even more then I would look into educational courses, such as a media master class every Thursday after college at half 3, or media at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology as a full time course, or work experience in media so it give me a feel what it is like as a job, such as a internship at the  BBC.