Evaluation

Our media product is most likely to be associated with Top Gear (BBC). Top Gear is a factual documentary and it shows conventions of the expository documentary. An expositor documentary’s purpose is to inform the audience about a particular issue. As well as this, Top Gear has features of a mockumentary as it shows humorous elements. This contributes to its popularity: appealing to wider audiences.
Our documentary also shares conventions of an expository documentary as its purpose is to inform the audience about which method of transport is cheaper, greener and quicker across Brighton & Hove. As well as this, the film shows some comical moments like a mockumentary; for example when Thomas decides to have a break on the nudist beach. Additionally, The Test portrays elements of a personal documentary. A personal documentary sees the presenter(s) addressing the camera directly, sharing their views with the audience. This resembles each of our journeys; for example when Sean in the car is frustrated when hindered by traffic lights.

The main product and ancillary tasks are directly linked to make a good combination. This is because the images on the advert and double-page spread present the 3 central protagonists; all of whom are featured in the film.
When drafting the advert, we analysed other newspaper adverts. One such example is included in my blog: the Two and a Half Men advert. This extract presents the main characters of the show in the centre. This resembles our ancillary task as the main presenters also dominate the page. Plus, the details of the show are situated on the bottom of the page; with the TV channel taking up the bottom right-hand corner. This is similar to our advert as the BBC3 logo dominates the bottom of the page; so it is clear for the audience to know where to watch it.
Whilst producing the double-page spread, we researched other layouts and texts from various listings magazines. Our double-page spread gives the reader a ‘snapshot’ / insight into events in The Test. Moreover, the double-page spread presents some images and a fact-file. This is so the article doesn’t bore the reader and it is easier to read.
Through the production of our ancillary tasks, we carefully considered other articles, adverts and their layouts. This is so our projects would look as similar as possible.

The audience feedback has been mainly positive. For us to attain such feedback, we set up a focus group and posted the film on Youtube.
Our focus group were mainly positive about our documentary; with all of them enjoying it. They especially liked the types of music that were played at certain points. For example Slam (by Pendulum) at the end to make an exciting finish. From this, we learnt that specific types of music make an ordinary scene more effective.
We also received some good comments from Youtube, saying that they enjoyed it. One comment; however noted that the same shots had been used for Thomas and Shaun running up the stairs. They thought it may be repetitive to see the same shots of both Thomas and Shaun at the end. From this, we have learnt to possibly speed up the finish and ‘cut to the chase’ whilst using different camera angles.

The new media technologies we used in the advanced portfolio were Apple mac computers, Apple’s iMovie and Final Cut, Photoshop (for ancillary tasks), cameras, and the blog itself.
During each stage of our advanced portfolio, we learnt new techniques on how to make changes to each of our blogs. For example, when uploading our videos onto the blogs we needed to copy the ‘embed code’ into a post or onto the website.
To produce the film (construction stage), we used Apple mac computers and iMovie. This was a new piece of technology that none of us initially knew how to use. To overcome this, we were taught how to edit, add transitions to the film and add audio clips to our film. Over time, we gradually felt confident with Apple iMovie.
Also, final cut was involved in the construction stage. This was for the split screen of our video. At first, it was very complex to understand; but we eventually knew how to make a split-screen clip in the video.
Whilst researching around our advanced portfolio, we extracted online articles from websites of newspapers (argus.co.uk). This is a new media technology as newspapers are trying to attract wider audiences with such websites.

Audience Feedback

In order to attain audience feedback, we uploaded our documentary onto the video-sharing website YouTube. We then analysed the comments, consequently gaining insight into possible improvements.

YouTube Comments

thedarkknight1110000 this is well good! the editing is perfect except from a really small thing when the dude on the bus comes through the door at the top of the stairs, nothing major, just a lil jump.
other than that, its awesome! how is it marked? will you get an A because you all deserve it!!!

Emilleeee hahaha that was well goood

joshlgbray nice work guys!!
really well done :-)
one thing though...when Tom and Shaun are running up the stairs, you've used pretty much the same camera angles and shots which gets a bit tedious as it's like - well Shaun was definitely last so maybe just cut to the chase?