New Media Technology – Analysis – Primary Research May 9, 2008

New Media Technology, Primary Research Analysis

 

From My questionnaire that was given out, I found that people from a background where their education continued after school, seem to be very interested in New Media. This comes across that the younger age tend to prefer the NMT’s that are used more for entertainment and older ages tend to use them to help in everyday life.

 

70% of the people surveyed felt that the internet would interest them the most in the near future, with 60% of them also believing that Media Players and blu-ray would be interesting in the future. HD devices, Gaming Consoles, 3G phones and SatNav all had fewer than 30% interest; this may be because they are already within our lives enough not to interest in the future.

 

I also found that 80% of the population who took the questionnaire owned a media player, this by far the most popular. 50% owned a gaming console of some sort but other technologies such as DAB radio 3G Mobile Phones were only owned by 30%, showing that they may not yet be as popular as they may become. 20% owned a HD device and only 10% owned BlackBerry or blu-ray DVD player.

 

When asked ‘what NMT’s do you use the most?’ 70% answered internet, as they use it almost daily, whether at work/education/home. 50% said their media players were also widely used, with 40% said games consoles and 20% DAB radios and 3G Mobiles.

 

Only 60% of the people asked, use games consoles often, with the other 40% not using them at all. However 50% that do play games consoles, play at least 1 to 2 times per week. (30% overall) With 20% saying they use them daily and 10% using them 3-6 times per week.

 

When asked what they use games consoles for, the majority being 60% said that they use games consoles for fun and enjoyment whereas 20% use it for internet use, which could include online gaming. 30% did not reply, saying that they do not use gaming consoles.

 

70% of questioned people believed that games consoles had slightly displaced other technologies such as television, with the other 30% saying that it had not displaced other technologies; this is most likely the percentage that doesn’t use games consoles. Also when asked if portability of their games console was important, 90% replied that it wasn’t important to them, but 10% believed it was very important, this could include such games devices such as DS or PSP.

 

Out of the people questioned 40% of the people asked, said that video games and games consoles have affected their social life slightly, with the other 60% saying it hasn’t at all. This could be the population that does not use games consoles. When asked ‘are their any advantages/disadvantages of games consoles, 60% said no and another 20% believed that a disadvantage would be that they could be addictive. With others stating that the cost was too high and that they were good source of entertainment.

 

The questionnaire also helped me to find that 80% of people don’t buy video games or subscribe to magazines, however the other 20% does, but only roughly once per month. This shows that maybe due to cost, duration of other games, or even unpopularity that people may not buy video games.

NMT – Primary Research May 2, 2008

New Media Technology Questionnaire

 

Please state/cross the most accurate suggestion for the following questions;

1.

 

 

Gender:           Male                Female

 

 

 

 

 

Age Category :           Under 16                      17-21                           22-30                                                  

 

 

 

                                    31 – 45                        46 – 60                        61 +

 

 

 

 

Ethnicity:                     White British                             Black British                 White Irish                               

 

 

 

Black Caribbean                       Asian                            African

 

Other (Please State) …………………

 

Occupation:                 (Please State) ……………….

 

Previous/Current Education:             (Please State) ………………….

 

2.

Which of the following NMT interests you the most in the near future? (more than one can be selected)

 

 

The internet                              GPRS                          HD                  

 

 

 

Next Generation

 

 

 

Gaming                         3G                               Media Players

 

 

 

 

DAB                                        Blu-Ray                        SatNav

 

Other(Please State) ………………..

 

 

Which NMT devices do you currently own or have owned? (more than one can be selected)

 

 

 

 

Ipod/Media Player                    3G Mobile                    HD devices

 

 

 

 

NG Gaming Console                Blu-Ray                        DAB Radio

 

 

Black Berry     

 

Other (Please State) ……………….  

 

 

 

 

 

Which NMT do you currently use the most? (More than one can be selected)

 

 

 

 

Media Player                            3G Mobile                    HD devices     

 

 

 

 

Gaming Console                       Blu-Ray                        DAB Radio

 

 

 

Sat-Nav                                   The Internet

 

Other (please State) …………………….

 

3.

 

How often do you use/play Video Games/Gaming Consoles?

 

 

 

 

I don’t                          once/twice weekly                    3-6 times per week

 

 

 

1 hour/Everyday                       5+ Hours/Day 

 

How do you use Gaming Consoles/ What For?

 

 

 

 

Work                           Fun                                          Socialising                   

 

 

 

 

Competition                  Education                                 Use of Internet 

 

Other(Please State) …………………

 

Have games consoles displaced the use of other technology?

 

 

 

 

None                            Slightly             Yes, A lot

 

How Important is the size and portability of games consoles?

 

 

 

 

Not Important                          Very Important                         Not bothered

 

Please state preferred size and portability …………………………..

 

Have games consoles impacted your social life?

 

 

 

 

No                               Slightly             Yes, I no longer leave my bedroom

 

Are their any advantages/Disadvantages with games consoles?

 

…………………………………………………………………………………..

 

How many Games/magazine subscriptions do you buy?

 

 

 

None                                       Few per year                            1 every 2 months

One Per Month                        2+ per month                            weekly

 

 

synopsis 2 April 21, 2008

Sound Design

Most sounds within the short opening of the television programme will be diegetic, as many comical sound effects will be used to tie in with the comical effect of the superhero. However non diegetic sounds will also be used, such as background music and the theme tune to the start of the show. This will help to draw the audience into the show and help to create the different tensions at the different parts within the show. Sound levels may vary, this will be to create tension when necessary.

Audience

This piece is aimed at children aged between 5-12, children aged below this may find it hard to understand and above may not find it as enjoyable, although could also be enjoyed by families. It is a fun show so can be enjoyed by all, doesn’t take issues too seriously and makes things fun! It will be short but sweet and taking this from our research, goes in the direction of many other children’s shows as they tend to have short attention spans. It will also contain a lot of repetition as we found our target audience enjoy repetition.

Synopsis 1 April 21, 2008

Abstract

A Short, comical fun entrance to a new children’s television programme, aimed at those aged 5-12. Matt a young boy, drinks the milk of his magical pet cow Daisy and magically turns into The Calcium Kid, a superhero who can stop the evil Bad tooth Bandit from getting his way and making children drink/eat lots of sugary foods to rot the teeth/bones. Promotes healthy living/ strong bones/teeth.

Synopsis

Matt is just a normal boy, he isn’t a special child. Grew up in the average family and went to school like any other child. He wakes up, just like he does everyday, dressed in his fun pyjamas, goes to the kitchen and drinks a bottle of milk, just like every other day. But This day the milk is magic milk, milked from his magic, talking pet cow daisy and not knowing Matt drinks the milk and turns into the friendly superhero The Calcium Kid, wearing his sparkling white superhero costume.

In The Calcium Kid’s home town, the Bad tooth Bandit sneakily steels a young girls toothpaste so she can no longer brush her teeth. The Bad tooth bandit is an evil cretin who wears nothing but black and lives in an evil underground lair. He is so evil he wishes that every person within the town s teeth rot and become unhealthy. As The Calcium Kid hears the girl cry for help with his superhero healthy hearing, he runs to the rescue and supplies the girl with a new tube of toothpaste.

Meanwhile as the Calcium Kid is attending to clean up all the bad things the Bandit has done, the Bandit sends one of his minions to ‘cow’nap Daisy the cow. The minion locks Daisy in the boot of his car and takes her to the Bandit’s lair.

This causes the Calcium Kid a problem as he is running low on Dasiy’s magic milk, and as he cannot find her he knows his powers will soon drain and wont be able to her his hometown any longer.

The Bandit terrorises Daisy the cow and tells her about his evil plan to stop the Calcium Kid. The Calcium Kid then starts to worry, as this happens, there is a sharp knock on the door, which he sees too, but no one is there. He accidentally knocks over an empty milk bottle on the floor which he realises has been left for him, he then reads the message, finding out that it is from the evil Bad tooth Bandit.

Subject & Themes

The short entrance to the episode gives an example of what to expect in the whole of the episode, already touching subjects such as healthy living/eating/drinking/lifestyles and right and wrongs. These are areas that parents prefer children to know and although is fun can also be educational at the same time. This derived from the unhealthy lifestyles that a lot of children live and was set out to try and help them understand that looking after your teeth and drinking milk helps your bones/teeth to grow strong and healthy.

Visual Style & Structure

The short beginning of the film will use primarily a DV film footage alongside with a still camera. Using different combinations of shots, but mainly simple efficient medium shots, as it tends to get the plot/dialogue across to our target audience much more efficiently.

Depending on the scenes/ locations, lighting will change. The Lair scene will use low lighting and dark colours to create a scary atmosphere. Whereas more upbeat scenes such as

The Calcium Kid’s house will use a lot of bright lighting/contrast of colours.

The beginningof the film Is used to create a happy upbeat atmosphere within the audience, to engage with them and to get them to enjoy/ watch the rest of the show. After the opening sequence it stays upbeat with lots of action happening with the calcium Kid (CK) having to clear up the Bandit’s mess. The film then builds tension and a small amount of suspense as the cow is kidnapped by the Minion. The scenes with more action/tension will primarily use quicker shots.

The story is told in the present day, lasting approximately 4 minutes. The style is based on comic books and superhero’s and although is not entirely realistic is based on realistic issues that crop up within children’s lives

Equipment / Budget List April 21, 2008

Equipment List & Budget

List

DV Video Camera

DV Tape

Microphone & Boom

Clapper Board

Tripod

Spot Lights

Lighting Equipment

Extension Lead

Costumes

Props

Puppets

Budget

Costume for Cow - £5.00

Costume for CK - £5.00

Pyjama Costume - £4.00

Makeup/Accessories - £3.00

Food Props - £2.00

Walking Stick Prop - £1.00

DV Tapes - £2.00

Misc. - £1.00

Total - £23.00

New Media Technology. March 31, 2008

New Media Technology

Article 1 – Internet 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7294174.stm 

‘AOL acquires Bebo social network’ 

Time Warner’s AOL are to buy networking site Bebo for £417 m. Bebo is the 3^rd biggest networking site in the US and 9^th in the world. Bought as it is a huge investment into advertising and marketing to a young audience. With information about each individual, they can be targeted specifically with advertising.  

         •  AOL Buys Bebo for £417 million.

         •  Bebo is 3^rd biggest social networking site.

         •  40 million viewers search an average of 78 pages per day.

         •  Much cheaper buy than others such as facebook ($240 for 1%) and myspace ($580).

         •  Valuable location for online advertising – member information shows what they are interested in. Can be targeted with specific advertising.

         •  Teenage/young adult market.

         •  Another traditional publisher buying into the power of social networking

         •  Microsoft did it with facebook

         •  News Corp with Myspace

         •  Time’s Warner (AOL) now with Bebo

 

‘News Corp bought MySpace for $580m in 2005 but now estimates that it is worth more than $15bn’‘The price-tag is tiny when compared with the valuations of similar websites. Microsoft bought 1.6% of Facebook last year for $240m.’‘$850m (£417m)’ 

Article 2 – Internet

‘MySpace to ‘hyper target’ UK ads’

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/12/1?gusrc=rss&feed=technology

Myspace has found that their ad campaigns in the US has been successful and now are to launch it for their UK site as well. It will target users on the basis of their profile information. Hyper targeting only analyses info on user’s profiles. Analyses profiles and puts users into ‘enthusiastic groups’.

·        Myspace set to launch an advertising system on their UK site after being deemed successful on their US Site.

·        System targets users by their profile information and puts them into groups.

·        Social networking sites have been experimenting with advertising models such as banners and buttons

·        Behavioral targeting – Patterns the users patterns online.

·        Facebook was forced into a climb down after an intrusive marketing product.

·        Will not exploit users personal data

·        ‘Users like it as long as it is relevant and presented in an engaging way’

·       Mainstream phenomenon

·        Myspace is evolving from a networking site into a mainstream medium

·        Enables advertisers to run much more relevant and targeted campaigns

Advertisers “Get more bang for their buck”

Article 3 – Internet

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91248-1303624,00.html

‘Microsoft Makes Move For Internet Firm’

Microsoft make a £22.4 billion bid for struggling internet firm Yahoo. An offer of £15.50 per share. 62% more than the value of Yahoo Shares recently. Announcement came a day after Yahoo’s chief executive quit. Profits dipped to £103million at the end of 2007. Advertising market online was worth $40billion and is set to continue to $80billion in 2010. Microsoft feel that yahoo will be able to offer advertising and marketing, which looks likely to be successful.

·        Microsoft has made a £22.4bn cash and stock bid for struggling internet firm Yahoo

·        Offering to buy the company for £15.50 per share.

·        62% more than value of each share

·        Came after Chief Executive of Yahoo Quit

·        Yahoo set to lay off 1000 employees to improve profitability

·        Yahoo has been hit by sluggish revenue growth despite launching a new online advertising platform

·        Its profits dipped to £103m in the final three months of 2007

·        Yahoo’s revenues last year rose 8% to £900m but its net profit was £330m compared to £375m in 2006

·        Microsoft said it saw four areas that would generate at least £500m a year for the new combined business

·        The advertising market online was worth $40bn last year and it’s predicted to be about $80bn in 2010

“There was an increasing inevitability about it. Yahoo has been playing for time and trying to catch up with Google for a while but it’s so far ahead.”

Article 4 – Video Gaming

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7294812.stm

Rockstar is EA ‘primary interest’

Rockstar is EA’s primary interest after its take over of Take Two Games. Take Two turned down EA’s first approach so is now targeting share holders. Take Two said that EA undervalued the firm. Take Two are said to have four of the best studios in the industry; Rockstar, Irrational, Firaxis and Visual Concepts. The bid is not an attempt to remove a competitor from the market for sports games. Riccitello (EA) said he had no fear that the value EA placed on Take Two could be damaged if the trio of Rockstar creators decided not to pursue further Grand Theft Auto titles after the latest release.

 ·        EA interested in takeover of company Take Two

·        First bid turned down by Take Two, so are targeting shareholders directly

·        Take Two said to have four of the best studios within the industry·        Rockstar is where they wish to put their main interest but said they will not focus just all on one area.

·        Bid not an attempt to remove a competitor from the market·        Ea have improved franchises since taking over such as MAXIS – The Sims

Article 5 – Video Gaming

‘Video Games Ratings Face Overhaul

’http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7314751.stm

Video game ratings need to be overhauled to make them easier for parents and children to understand, a UK government-backed review has said. It calls for the creation of a UK body to draw up and oversee a national strategy to keep children safe online. One key recommendation is lowering the statutory age at which games have to go before the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to 12. Video Games have been seen to be potentially harmful to children and therefore games ratings (age of which you have to be to buy) could be re-established and possibly go up.

·        Video game ratings need to be overhauled to make them easier for parents and children to understand.

·        It also recommends that new PCs be sold with software that will help prevent children seeing harmful online content.

 ·        “I challenge government and industry to step up to make the digital world safer for children and young people,” said Dr Byron·        At the moment video games only get a mandatory review by classifiers if they have “human sexual activity” or “gross violence” 

·        The introduction of a statutory requirement to classify games for children aged 12 plus will see the workload of the BBFC increase dramatically. 

·        The wide-ranging review also calls for more support for retailers so staff feel confident refusing to sell a game to anyone who is too young to play it.

 ·        Search engines should also take steps to help parents limit what their children can look at and display links on their home pages to sites that can provide advice.

 ·        The government would legislate where necessary to bring some of the recommendations into force.

 ·        It also called for the creation of kite marked filtering software that is installed on all new PCs sold.‘

”Kids are the digital natives, she said, “parents are the digital immigrants.” While BBFC logos will adorn the front of game boxes, the “equivalent” ratings from Pegi will appear on the back of boxes. Pegi is a voluntary ratings system set up by the games industry.’

‘I want parents to be empowered,” said Dr Byron, “I want clear logos on all games so parents can make an informed choice.”’

Article 6 – Video Games

‘Video games ’stimulate learning’’

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/1879019.stm

Computer games could become part of the school curriculum after researchers found they had significant educational value. Strategic thinking can be improved by simulation and adventure games. This could potentially improve other areas of peoples learning.

       • A UK Study confirms that strategic simulation and adventure games can improve children’s strategic values.

       • Parents and Teachers also thought that it improved their children’s reading, mathematics and spelling.

       • Investigation into habits of 700 children between aged 7-16 children preferred to play games in a small group or pairs.

       • Children can improve important skills using these games.

       • Games could be used in classrooms in the future

       • Working in a team Is the most important aspect of playing video games

         •  The Teem study comes as other researchers argue the multimedia age has put children off reading and has produced a generation which spends too much time playing indoors

         •  Teachers and parents broke down the play into; negotiation, planning, thinking and decision making skills

         •  Teachers find it hard to justify the use of computer games within school as the content does not map the national curriculum

         •  Such examples of games include; Sim-City, Rollercoaster Tycoon, Championship Manager.

“Adventure, quest and simulation type games have a lot of benefit – they’re quite complex and create a context in which children can develop important skills,” said Professor McFarlane. We’re not advocating arcade, shot-the-baddie type games,” she stressed.At the moment though, there’s no way of knowing whether the software used in some of the games that involve building and running cities are based on valid economic models,” 

Article 7 – Mobile Technology

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/03/rumor-apple-ord.html

‘Apple Orders 10 Million 3G iPhones.’

Apple has reportedly ordered 10 million iPhones based on the network 3G. Based on rumors from Asia. The 3G iphone would be thinner, lighter and more efficient. Aiming to sell 10 million.

         •  Apple has ordered 10 million iPhones.

         •  To be based on the network 3G

         •  Based on rumors from Asia

         •  3G iPhone will use an Organic Light Emmiting Diode (OLED) display.

         •  The OLED will mean the iPhone is lighter, thinner and generally more efficient.

         •  Apple is claiming to have aimed to sell 10 million iPhones worldwide by the end of 2008

         •  Company Declined to comment on the new 3G iPhone

Rumor was let out by iPod analyst Ken Dulaney.

Will Contain two Cameras and for purposes of chat

Slow sales have been down to the iPhones lack of ‘3-Gness’

‘The Company Declined to comment on ‘rumor or speculation’ about the new 3G iPhone when contacted.’

‘Two camps have emerged: One that thinks the second iteration of the phone will debut sometime around the holiday season. Another believes May or June is the most likely date.’

Article 8 – Mobile Technology

‘Future Mobile Phones Will Have Blazing Speed, Biochips To Diagnose Ailments’

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20080328/tc_cmp/207000254

If Japan’s NTT DoCoMo has its way future phones could feature data speeds of 250 Mbps and have biochips that analyse a drop of blood for stress or illness. The first of its kind to combine biochemistry and communication technology. Could also be used for entertainment purpouses. Research into LTE which is also known as Super 3G.

 

·        Japans NTT DoCoMo says its future phones will feature data speeds of 250 Mbps and biochips

·        Research findings by the Japanese phone service provider tipped its hands on future product plans, although they may take several years to meet the market.

·        The world’s first molecular delivery system for molecular communication had been successfully demonstrated by the biochip.

·         DoCoMo aims to develop to develop systems that could transmit information about the biochemical conditions of living organisms, such as excitement, emotion, stress, or disease,”

·        This could lead to a biochemical analyser or biochip which would be useful in health and medical situations.

·        The chip will be situated in mobile phones which could generate data and send it to medical specialists using wireless transmitions.

·         The concept could also be used for entertainment purposes such as fortune telling.

·        Research in LTE which it calls Super 3G will be shown soon

·        Ultra high speed technology has been targeted for 2010 initial rollout

·        DoCoMo has chosen Ericsson as its partner to supply LTE infrastructure.

‘DoCoMo aims to develop systems that could transmit information about the biochemical conditions of living organisms, such as excitement, emotion, stress, or disease,”’

Article 9 – Mobile Technology

‘Nokia morphs itself from within’

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7266187.stm

Nokia and other phone companies, are no longer just phone companies, but software and services companies as well. This will increase as mobile phones become more an extension of our own lives and less about making calls. Nokia is investing into research centres around the world. Unveils new nanoscience unveiled as ‘Morph’.

Nokia is transforming itself from a hardware company into something more converged

Company has changed several times since 1865

Morph has been unveiled. A concept phone that revealed the companies long term ambitions. Combines high technology and services.

Morph will be a product of nanoscience, can be folded, stretched, used to the world around it.

·          Nokia is transforming from a hardware company to something more converged. Software/entertainment/services

·          Company has changed many times since it was first established in 1865

·          Nokia invested into research centres all around the world, building relations with universities and academic institutions

·          UK Nokia has partnered with Cambridge university and is focusing on applications of nanoscience.

·          Nokia unveiled Morph, a new concept phone which uses nanoscience

·          US Nokia is focusing and developing on internet and web applications

·          Nokia are using GPS technology to  help create real time pictures of traffic flow. This will be trialled on certain new mobile phones

·          GPS could be used to monitor message/data between phones and mobile networks. And systems which could be used for motorists

·           Nokia sell 18 phones every second.

·          About 200million people are using their devices at the present in the internet 24/7.

 

“We’re not a cell phone company we’re a software and services company as well,”

If one billion devices each produced one message every minute, it would swamp the network capacity.

“The real focus now is compelling user experiences. It has to be user experience driven rather than technology driven.”

 

Article 10 – Mobile Technology

http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/Jobs-Aims-to-Make-iPhone-the-Platform-for-Mobile-TV-93127

‘Jobs Aims to Make iPhone the Platform for Mobile TV’

·         Television on Mobile phones is one of the hottest things available. As consumers are becoming aware of watching television through other mediums then just a television set the demand for TV on mobile phones increases. Apple wants the iPhone to be the leading competitor iPhone is set to be the leading competitor in the new area of web development

·         Apple is updating the iPhone to please wireless consumers

·         Company recently announced new 3G iPhone

·         Iphone platform has opened up for third party developers.

·         $100 million fund to support software makers has been given

·         Apple looking for the ‘3^rd great platform’ after the PC and internet in this new area of development.

·         Mobile TV is widely anticipated

·         As consumers are getting used to watching TV on other devices the demand for mobile TV grows.

·         Several companies have began launching mobile TV on certain handsets

·         Mobile broadband is becoming more ambiguous

“A couple of weeks ago, Jobs announced that he was opening up his iPhone platform to third-party software developers. The venture fund of Kleiner Perkins has just announced a US$100 million fund to support software makers, with the fund’s vice chairman, John Doerr, describing Apple’s software plan as the “third great platform” after the PC and the Internet.

storyboard 1 – AS production March 30, 2008

storyboard 7

storyboard 6

Storyboard 2 – AS production March 29, 2008

story board 5.jpg

storyboard4.jpg

Storyboard 3 – AS production March 29, 2008

Story Board 3

Storyboard 4 – AS Production March 29, 2008

Story Board2