For my BCM114 digital artefact I teamed up with Ricardo Rodrigues in creating a joint YouTube channel of day in the life type videos on hobbies that we like doing. This in particular is surfing, exploring the local areas and hidden secrets of Wollongong as well as filming in general. How we intended on doing this was creating a YouTube channel and coming up with a creative name that linked the two of us followed by an Instagram account as another platform of exposure and filming our videos via my Nikon D5200 and GoPro Hero for those underwater shots. I developed this project because I wanted to make a YouTube series about a day in the life and short films that Ricardo and I have made in the Wollongong area. I gained my inspiration from research on YouTubers that I follow currently and have so for years now these are the likes of Alex Hayes (@Alex Hayes), Jamie O’brien (@whoisjob) and Tyler Hanley (@TylerHanley) all in which share this common conent of day in the lives. We decided to make this YouTube too as it has a heavy viewer rate which shows interest in the field as well as it is my personal interest in this. We made this starter pack to give an audience a basic what to know and what a typical audience is like! I will develop this project by creating ideas, filming on my Nikon D5200 and GoPro Hero with Ricardo on various things around Wollongong and editing clips through Adobe’s editing software.

The processes and tools in which Ricardo and I used and took to come up with our film clips were in all quite time consuming to say the least. We found that we relied heavily on weather predictions and outcomes of days as this determined whether we would be filming for the day which kind of set us back a bit in our production time and then for utilities we struggled immensely especially for the first video we released as we both were getting to know the Adobe software, Premiere pro and After Effects which mean’t we had to watch tutorials slowing down the process a lot. From what happened after this first video got complete being the surfing video leading into a concert of Hayden James was our second video to RAQFILM. This being a recent upload I filmed and edited of a wedding function. I was paid for this event so I decided that this would work perfectly in accordance with the DA as its my job so its like a day in the life of myself really plus I really liked how the video turned out and I thought it would be perfect to add to the overall DA content.

The responses that we gathered over the DA was structural feedback on where we can improve for further videos as well as positive feedback on viewer satisfaction. From the first video I we gathered feedback from both friends and family of ours who gave us both these forms of feedback described. We gained feedback such as “I think the video is really good but I feel like you should have split the videos into two different videos rather then one big video as it kind of makes it feel like two videos mashed together anyway” as well as “the video is so good! Its edited well!”, “OMG that’s wonderful well done” and finally “OMG its so nice”. We publicised all our videos on both the RAQFILM accounts as well as our personal accounts in which got comments on also from friends on Instagram.

We gained all up a decent following from our time doing the DA gathering 62 Instagram followers strarting from 0 and an average of around 14 likes a post and gaining around 100 views per video posted. For our YouTube account we gathered 13 subscribers and gained our most views on our first video with 141 and our second one lacked time exposure as it was freshly posted. Our videos ended up taking more time then we both expected to make as stated earlier due to the weather issues we had to work around as well as editing on Premiere Pro and After Effects which took about 7 hrs per video to create.

From my experience with my social utility working with YouTube and Instagram have been both easy to use and interesting to learn. I had never used YouTube prior to this assignment and found it an enjoyable experience. I learn’t how to upload to YouTube and finding out all the analysis feedback in which YouTube has similar to Instagram.

Reference:

@AlexHayes

@whoisjob

@TylerHanley

As we conclude the creating of the Digital Artefact we must reflect on how far it has come from the original pitch idea stipulating where we wanted our DA to go. The pitch in which Ricardo and I put out in accordance to our Digital Artefact was to create a YouTube and Instagram account that we both ran that would include day in the life type videos. This would include surfing and other various things around the Wollongong region.

After the project pitch was completed, this being the ideating phase of our Digital Artefact we had to also come up with a creative name to follow with our creative idea. Joining both similarities of Ricardo and I’s name to represent the two to come up with RAQFILM. This involved brainstorming techniques and feedback opinions from peers, all part of ideating of an idea. To ensure our idea of the Digital Artefact is one that will follow with success a creator must analyse the audience as well as the field being presented to.

Next stage was the prototyping stage of the digital artefact. We explored the prototyping of a digital artefact throughout the lectures, commencing in week 6 being a tangiable physical model of the idea. This was for us hitting the prototyping target of the “feedback loop”. By doing so we started by creating short snippet videos that previewed or first idea on our Instagram account, much like a taster. This “feedback loop” in which we learnt in the module provides us with understanding and improving upon when showed to people as well as the viewer engagement with the snippet. Then we released the first video live. From this point our prototype becomes a continuous loop of defining, ideating, prototyping, testing and observing.

Now after creating our first prototype we went on to the ‘making’ phase of project. This was through week 8 in which we learn’t is simply the creation of the idea whether it be arts and crafts, a digital project such as editing and software etc. This making stage for both Ricardo and myself was filming our clips and finally editing and putting together films on Adobe Premiere Pro. These being fundamental tools in creating a YouTube video. Through research we were able to learn various editing effects through YouTube tutorials as well as viewer feedback on improvements. Once we released our video live to YouTube I gathered around a physical audience to view the video for themselves in which we gained some constructive feedback for Digital Artefact which is essential for improvements and consideration.

Overall the entire process of the digital artefact has proven that our original idea has been met at the end of the entire assessment which Ricardo and myself are pleased about. The only issue in which we had with the DA was that we weren’t able to release as many videos as previously hoped for ending with 2 videos. This was both due to lack of skills in editing as well as weather issues that we had to work around as we could not film through the rain etc.

As we arrive to week 10 of semester 2 for BCM114 it is important for ourselves to take a step back and reflect on how far we have come with the Digital Artefact and also whether or not we have in fact moved away from the initial pitch idea or whether we have successfully stuck to what we planned to do. For me and Ricardo Rodrigues who I am creating a joint YouTube channel and Instagram with we have both successfully done so in staying on track with our pitch idea… “to create a day in the life YouTube and Instagram accounts on surfing, concerts etc”. This account being called RAQFILM.

The feedback loop in which we learn’t about throughout week 6 is key for the digital artefact as it allows us to understand improvement that we can take away from feedback. This is a continuous loop of defining, ideating, prototyping, testing and finally observing. Prototyping in which had to be undertaken through this stage of the digital artefact is simply a tangible physical model of what was discussed in the ideate stage. This being our first video in which is live and can be found on our RAQFILM YouTube channel. This prototype being key in gaining feedback in improvements that can be undertaken further into the development of the DA.From the initial day one of the digital artefact, which began after the pitch for us both we started filming surfing clips at the local beaches to Wollongong (North Gong, City beach and Bellambi). During the filming stage we decided that we needed something to spice up the YouTube video, something that would make the video turn into a more day in the life so coincidentally we had a Hayden James concert we were both going to, therefore made a perfect addition to the video. Once we started filming we had an issue of disagreement between myself and Ricardo, he wanting to join the two videos into one and for me I wanted to have them as two seperate videos. This mean’t we had to do some ideating and brainstorming on what option would work best in which we agreed that we would join them together.

The next phase is making in which we explored in the week of 8 in the lectures and tutorials. This depending on what your digital artefact is on is simply the creation of your idea. This can be through arts and crafts, editing software etc. This stage for Ricardo and I is the editing of videos as we bring together each individual clip to form one video with effects throughout it as well as electronically making branding for our DA. To make, we used Premiere Pro as well as Illustrator. These all being fundamental tools in making content for our YouTube and Instagram account. Along with making is sharing, this being sharing our video to multiple platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter, as described one of the best ways to grow your channel. Through research we were able to learn various editing effects through YouTube tutorials as well as viewer feedback on improvements.

Once we released our video live to YouTube I gathered around a physical audience to view the video for themselves in which we gained some constructive feedback for Digital Artefact which is essential for improvements and consideration. Feedback received from Lillie Paton “I think you should have split the concert and surfing videos up as it kind of feels out of place from the video and the transition between the two does not fit well but other then that its really good!”.

With our digital artefacts for BCM114 up and running following our pitch assessment it is time to reflect on how in fact the idea of the digital artefact really came to life through inspiration from other YouTubers of the likes, how the artefact was set up and built, reflecting on the ideas that are discussed in the lectures and materials in context to the artefact.

Inspiration that was built for the digital artefact was mainly from three various Instagram influencers and YouTubers across Australia and America. This was the beginning of the artefact progress. Influencers such as Alex Hayes, Jamie O’Brien (JOB) and Tyler Hanley. These influencers all have one thing in common, this being vloggers of everyday life, commonly surfing.

This was the way in which Ricardo and I wanted to follow for our Digital Artefact too. Attached is a screenshot of Alex Hayes Instagram account. With common interests to me which basically includes spending time outside in our surroundings and enjoy time with friends it was a perfect idea to do.

From inspiration we began making the artefact, creating the YouTube account and Instagram.

Before this we had to brainstorm a name in which was suitable for both Ricardo and I, with a brainstorm we came up withRAQFILM as it is both simplistic in name and easy for a foreigner to pronounce. This was all apart of the ideating of a group project that we both could do and come up with a name that resembles both of us straight from the name of the account.  Then created the Instagram and Youtube channels.

Observing the audience in which these influencers have gathered and create content for was key in striving to help build our own. Through simplistic actions such as seeing most liked and viewed videos to reading audiences feedback in the comment sections, because whether trolls or fans everyone likes to voices their opinion. This audience base is predominately surfing and adventurous viewers who can relate in a way to the content their watching and aspire to assimilate. By posting taster videos and snippets of videos as social utilities it has been made easy to help understand and observe the audience through their engagement and comment feedback.

So with this in mind a clear trajectory is in place for how and where the D.A will go, a insightful YouTube/ Instagram account that conveys outdoor adventures and lifestyles of myself and Ricardo in the local Wollongong area. Creating engaging and visually appealing content we hope to make entertaining for the viewer.

For my digital artefact I intend to participate in a grouped project with another peer (Ricardo Rodrigues) to film various day in the life short montages. I will be the one to film and edit these various films and upload to Youtube, where Ricardo will take over the social media branches of Instagram and Facebook. I intend to film the montages through my own personal camera, a Nikon D5200, a GoPro Hero 6 series and edit the films created through either iMovie or Final Cut. This project is relevant to users as it is a space for people to watch and enjoy a snippet of day in the life of various people in the Wollongong area.