for mrs blackborow

iv had alot of trouble with my computers at home so im unable to add the pictures i had saved on ma computer as my hard drive has been wiped clean. i should have more pictures and animation up by the end of the week
xxXxx

DVD Special Features: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

DVD Special Features: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The expected breakdown of DVD special features are;

• Featurettes
• Commentaries
• Documentaries

However, the Harry Potter DVD raised conventions as the disk is designed to take you on an adventure.

Disk 2 contains the extra features and is built as an adventure, where you must discover the secret at the heart of the DVD. This is an example of interactivity because they get the audience to relate to Harry Potter, as they are able to follow the basic path that he does in the film:

• Self-guided tours: Before you start your adventure, you’ll be offered a tour at Hogwarts. The interactive, 3D tour allows you to explore various rooms.
• Diagon Ally: You must view this section in order to access all areas of the features. Like in the film, you must remember the sequence that the bricks on the wall are pushed to gain access into the ally. You also have to visit the shops, Ollivander’s Wands, Gringutt’s Bank, and Eeylops Owl Emporium in order to get a wand, money and an owl respectively.
• Library: In the library, you are presented with a selection of books that either give clues for future reference on the adventure or show clip guides to the characters of Hogwarts.
• Hogwarts Grounds: Before you start here, you must catch the Golden Snitch using your remote. Once this is done, you get a self-guided tour around Hadgrid’s Hut and rules of the Quiddich Game.
• Interview: Here there are only sixteen minutes of the interview featurette, where the transformation of the book from screenplay to film is discussed. There is also behind-the-scenes footage of filming.
• Sorting Hat: This takes you through the four houses of Hogwarts.
• Classrooms: Here you’ll have to sit a potions exam to see how well you remember ingredients of different potions. There are also various clips from the film to explain story elements like spells and charms, and transfiguration.

Technology is used

• The standard DVD player and TV setup
• DVD ROM features that links to…
• … The internet- The Harry Potter Website.

for mrs blackborow

I've got 1 more case study to do which is the 15th one but my computer at home isnt working (it refuses to swich on) so I'll write up my last 1 - im doing it on a DVD that i have at home - and then I'll put it on the website at school on monday. Sorry
xxXxx

podcasts

Definition of a podcast: An audio broadcast that has been converted to an MP3 file or other audio file format for playback in a digital music player or computer. The "pod" in podcast was coined from "iPod," and although podcasts are mostly verbal, they may contain music.

Podcasting allows individuals to publish radio shows, that interested listeners can subscribe to. Before podcasting you would have to record a radio show and put it on your website, now however, people can automatically receive new shows, without having to go to a specific site and download it from there.

Podcasting is not like TiVo, which lets you watch what you want when you want by recording and storing video. The difference with podcasting though is that it’s used for audio and is currently free of charge. It can be used to push any kind of file, including software updates, pictures, and videos.

Different media texts use podcasts, from TV sites such as the BBC’s Eastenders site, to radio shows like Choice FM. There are also sites dedicated to providing consumers with podcasts such as http://www.podcastalley.com/ and i-tunes. Recently, with the emergence of video i-pods, podcasting has become a lot more video-based, and you can download video podcasts.

Blogging

Definition of a Blog: a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies; and postings on a blog are usually in chronological order.Blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of most early blogs. Blogs are replacing the old fasioned way of recording events in peoples l;ives: instead of people writing a diary, they use online diaries instead.

Different types of blogs:

• Vlog: video log


• Linklog: one including links


• Sketchblog: a portfolio of sketches


• Photo blog: a blog comprising of photos


• Tumblelog: shorter posts and mixed media types


• Moblog: a blog created by a mobile phone or PDA
  

Key producers of blogs:

• The main social group that use blogging are teenagers and young people, this is mainly because they were raised as a computer generation and are very comfortable with using computers and publicly express their views. Older generations have also begun to take on the concept of blogging.


• Blogging can also be an effective tool for businesses to use. Blogs can be used either internally for communication between staff or externally for marketing, branding or PR purposes. These are called corporate blogs.

Why blogs are popular with producers:

• It allows them to feel as though they are producing the media, they are participating actively, and can become like online journalists, who comment on news, politics, entertainment etc.


• It allows freedom of expression, there is no copyrighting, as there is on websites, or moderation as there is on forums.


• They can customize their blog


• It is a free, quick and easy way of publishing views


• It gives consumers the opportunity to discuss more niche subjects and still find people who share their interest.

Why blogs are popular with consumers:

• It allows them to read the opinions of others, either people that they know personally or people that they don’t, often on subjects that it is hard to find information about in the mainstream media.


• It can allow them almost instant information about news events or television programmes.


• They can feel part of an online community, commenting on other users blogs and expressing their opinions as well.


• Many readers of blog users prefer the informal, casual and opinionated views presented by regular people rather than newsreaders, journalists etc.

Technologies involved:

• The main technology involved in blogging is, of course, the internet


• Users can upload:
  1. Pictures
  2. Music
  3. Videos
  4. Games
  5. Graphics
  6. From mobile platforms such as PDA’s

Linkin Park, What Ive Done - YouTube

One Vlog http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=linkin+park+-+what+i%27ve+done&search=Search:

The up-loader of the video is able to showcase their work to the rest of the world where they can get feedback from comments and ratings that YouTube users can leave on the vlogs. The comments mean that the up-loader can develop their work based on the feedback that they get. Music artists and amateur film-makers benefit from the comments that users can leave as consumers can post the videos on their own webpages and blogs which can act as free marketing. It could also lead to a full time job in the industry for some amateurs.The users of YouTube have the options to add videos to their ‘favourites’ list, rate videos and comment or video comment clips.Not only can they upload their own videos but they can share them via email, or post the video on their own blogs. YouTube makes it easy for you to search for what their looking for easily as not only is there a search engine, but videos are categorized both by genre and by tags.

There is also a section for similar videos, which gives recommendations based on what consumers have already watched, a good example of personalization. There is ‘More from this user,’ which shows all the other videos uploaded by the same user. There is also the opportunity to create your own playlist, which makes watching videos easier and more personalized: consumers can create almost their own channel.

The video I have chosen is a music video by the band Linkin Park, and by posting their video on YouTube they are able to be publisised.

Technologies involved:

• The internet:

1. Email

2. HTML/embed codes

3. Adobe Flash Player

• Video cameras


• Home PC editing software

Metro Newspaper Online

Metro Newspaper Online http://www.metro.co.uk/:

This site complements the daily, free newspaper that is given out in train stations, and like every other website, there are different elements that the site splits into:

• News


• Sport


• MetroLife


• Fame


• Weird


• Pictures


• Gimme


• Play


• Your Metro


• Travel


• Metrosexual


• Money

On the home page there are the top stories/articles for each section, and you can access these by clicking the drop down arrow. The site has different constant advertisements for other companies like ITV 2 and National Rail. There are other ads on the top of the page that differ: Wilde Hogs, BT, NHS and Alliance Leicester.

There’s also a section called Metro TV (http://www.metro.co.uk/video/videoPlayer.html?inMediaId=1057&in_page_id=1) where you can watch news clips that are daily bulletins; morning, afternoon and evening. There are different categories to be chosen: news, sport, showbiz, film and other.

The site is very interactive by allowing the audience to be more involved with the newspaper. On each article that is printed, the site enables the readers/audience to input their own views by leaving comments on the articles. As well as commenting on the articles, the site enables you to share pictures you’ve taken and inserts them into the different categories that run throughout the site. There are also competitions in the Gimme section, as well as there being games for audiences to enjoy. As with many other sites, you have to be a registered member to enjoy all the features of the site.