160MC:(“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): Farewell Nicola

Over these last few weeks my group and I have been working on our ‘character’ going missing (fitting in with the brief). This project was challenging in its own way, but also extremely creative. It tested us, not only as a team but also as individuals. As we had to incorporate all of our “Cabinet of Curiosities” into one idea, thus proved to be very interesting. For me this added to the whole idea of creating a ‘character’ as it made sure that all of our ideas were included in the final product, making us come together more. Helping us to further understand our peers and their thought processes through the blend of all our ‘visions’ and interests etc. Upon delivering our final presentation I would say it went well.

For me, we really developed our ‘artifacts’, which we fitted into our group portfolio. This included our case file and our characters diary (which was the main focal point). One of my peers (Liam) spent a lot of time writing the passages for the diary. I really felt he channeled our characters seventeen-year-old self extremely well. This was because he worked extensively on her thought processes, her emotions and of course feelings, in finding out she was adopted. He also added a lot of dark moments within the passages, engaging us even more (upon reading it).

I would say that as a whole team we worked off each other well. I would say that I organized all the group meets and schedules too with my other team member (Jana). This helped us to stay really organized and on time, in order for us to deliver on the day our presentation, the best we could. Furthermore this particular project helped us all to think outside the box as we really thought about the brief in an interesting way. For example we liked the idea of ‘adoption’ but wanted to add more to it. Thus thought of having a diary, whilst presenting out ‘pitch’ in a debrief form (similar to a live investigation). Where we’d compared what we had then and what we have now. Whilst referring to our characters diary at the same time, for our assessors/audience members to look into. Thus in this way involving them the best way we felt fit.

To describe this project in a few words I would have to say: fun, challenging and deeply engaging. I would be lying if I said that I felt we didn’t create a ‘character’ in their true form. As I really feel as a group we did. We did extensive research and added layers upon layers to our character each week. More so, that by the end we felt that our character was going away as we’d spent so much time with them (through the construction of them involving their back story too). Thus on an end note I’d like to finish off by saying thank you to my team for all their hard work and also thank you to all those who watched us today. I hope you understood Nicola’s story through her diary and the other evidence we presented as much as we did.

 

160MC:(“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): B’day Card

Today I worked on some ideas for our character’s 17th birthday card, which she receives from her real mum. Upon writing some paragraphs I thought of the following themes: abandonment, trust, loyalty and despair. I also thought about the lecture we had on ‘characters’. This helped me to portray our characters Mum in a more 3 dimensional way, through the use of emotive language and so forth. Thus in this way I tried to get across the themes (listed above) within the message which Nicola receives on her 17th Birthday by her birth mother.

Final Edit:

To my sweet Nicola,

I can’t believe your 17 already! Time has gone by really quickly. I hope one day you’ll understand the decisions I made. I always put you first baby girl, please understand that. Happy Birthday.

Love MUM (always and forever) xoxo

My group then gave me some feedback on my ideas.

• They liked how I formed my ideas in encapsulating a mothers ‘despair’.
• They further liked the tone of language I used for the mum.

 

 

160MC:(“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): Strengths and Weaknesses

Upon evaluating my performance during this project, I’d say my strengths were:

Good time management

Very enthusiastic

Very encouraging to other members of the team

Made sure all were involved in every stage (where possible)

Weaknesses

Nerves tend to get the better of me

Sometimes need to take the back seat in some situations

Team:

Overall:

Communicated well during last couple of weeks

Came together as one in the building of our character

Made sure to voice each of our opinions for us to be heard

To keep in mind next time:

– Assign roles right at the start so that its clear to each individual their purpose within the project.

• Set deadlines for tasks of all members to do and complete by

 

For me personally this project was challenging and very creative. It helped me to develop my team working skills, whilst also testing me in the long run. It further helped me to make myself vocal as I took on the leadership role on some occasions. Thus in this way I had to command the situation in an appropriate and firm manner. I would also like to think I was a good influence on my peers, as I kept them motivated along the way. Making sure that the sessions were creative, whilst necessary (in order for us to get things done). Thus working in a team of 6 with my peers was a very good experience. Some times there was low moral, but this was boosted by a good nights sleep, on many occasions. On an endnote this project was very well though out and extremely intuitive too.

 

 

 

 

 

160MC:(“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): Prepping for Final Presentation

Last nights session included looking over our feedback/organizing roles for our final presentation. For those who were present, we went over budgeting and our plan of action. Our plan of action included setting up our next meet, sorting out the budget for next week and delegating roles for our final final presentation for Thursday.

Although nerves tend to get the better of me in ‘marked assessments’, I’m quite looking forward to bringing our character alive. Now I don’t mean in the sense we are going to bring her in and interview her no. I mean how we are going to construct her diary and recite some of her passages to our peers. In this way they’ll understand our character much more and hopefully be engaged with her too.

Below is a collation of our ideas for our final presentation and the things which we need to get done:

As for progress today I’d say we did well. I made sure I was vocal in where I wanted us to be by next week. Further stating my views on what needs to be wrapped up pronto too. For those present (Liam and Jana), I’d say they were very enthusiastic, engaged and highly committed in today’s session. For myself however I would say I was away with the fairies for a little while (Goal 1= Get more sleep and stay energized). After the session ended I concluded by organizing another meet. For which I made clear on my groups whatsapp group, in order to make sure all could be present. So that we could start rehearsing and prepping for our ‘de-brief’ and ‘news report’ which we’d present to all, not to mention our characters diary too.

To end I’d say to myself for next time: “Be more pro active in order to really bring the session in more”.

 

 

160MC:(“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): Draft Presentation

Today we presented a draft version of our final presentation to our peers. Upon preparing for our pitch, I made sure my group knew what they were doing. This included organizing an agenda for the presentation. For example we decided to introduce our character, we then showed our news report. Next we read out some of our characters diary entries (compiled by Liam). This was followed by us presenting our case file, which was then followed by a Q and A.

Please see feedback sheet at the bottom of this post.

Personally I would say our presentation went well, considering that we received praise but also constructive criticism. Praise was aimed towards our complete idea, involving our characters premise. Whilst criticism was aimed towards our news report, which was very valid. Considering that the sound quality wasn’t very good, as an external mic wasn’t used. Whilst an ediroll also wasn’t used. Thus helped us understand the importance of editing s we’d been given a lecture on it, before hand. Thus my peers who were in charge of the editing knew what they had to do to improve the ‘news report’. Thus made it clear that they’d re-do it for the final presentation after getting sufficient tips from the lecture earlier.

After the session my group decided that in our next meet we’d go over roles for our final presentation, for our ‘brief idea’. We’d also make sure that all our paperwork was intact. By creating individual wallets for each of us, to put our input in. Collecting all the wallets up at the end within a pin button folder in order to keep things tidy and functional.

Other things, which were done today, included the recreation of the case file (by Jana) and also a ‘missing persons’ poster (created by Eddie). Upon seeing the case file and the poster, it made me feel really ‘involved’ in the character we’d created much more of. As I felt that she was coming to life even more, through the case file, posters and of course the diary entries (which my peer and I would be writing up later, including drawing up images for the diary too, with Matt).

Images below: Poster (1st edit, some spelling errors apparent)

Case file sample (By Jana):

 

Above includes our feedback from are draft presentation and our response to it.

 

 

160MC:(“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): Overlooking first edits of diary drafts/talking about draft presentation

In today’s session Liam showed us some of the passages he’d put together for our characters diary (see attached document below).

Nicky Diary Entries

After seeing Liam’s work on the passages I went around the group to assess Liam’s work (image below). This helped us to evaluate his work and to commend it too. Considering he’d put a lot of effort into writing the passages, as he really dwelled deep into our character.

Diary Passages: By Liam Spittle (Group Feedback)

After this I received the character profiles of our characters parents and her close friend from my team member Jana (see attached document below). For this my friend used a ‘name generating site’ to conjure these particular profiles. She then added to them, by editing in traits and so forth. Thus making the characters more realistic and relatable respectively.

Character Profiles CC (By Jana)

The session then concluded by my peers and I discussing our roles for our practice presentation.

Below were the topics we’d go into:

News Bulletin (introduced by Ashish and Jana)- featuring Eddie and Matt (filmed by Dilyan)- 1 minute

Introduce Case File (Created by Ashish)- ALL- 1 minute (bonus)

Diary Passages (by Liam)- Spoken by whole team- 4 minutes

Debrief (all)- 1 minute

Duration= 6 minutes (with a 4 minute Q and A coming in after)

In structuring our practice presentation like this, we felt it would flow better. Considering we’d all have an equal part in presenting, with many of us being present in the Q and A as well. Thus really coming together as a collaborative upon presenting a draft version of our presentation. Giving us that confidence that we’d need for a final presentation, in order to sell our character to our peers. Making it clear to them that someone has gone missing, so forth. One last thing, which was discussed, was that Liam would carry on with the diary passages, Whilst Jana and Matt would aid him in the drawings for the diary. Leaving the rest of us to formulate the brief and to delegate speaking roles (where needed) for it.

 

 

 

160MC:(“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): Further Preparing for Our Draft Presentation

To prepare for our draft presentation I thought it best to assign roles to everyone. For example Jana and me were left in charge of recording voice clips for the case file- to photographing pictures for our character. With Eddie and Matt were left in charge of the news report, with Dilyan on camera. Leaving Liam responsible for drafting up the diary entries for all of us to add to. This worked well as we split the roles up equally. Feed backing to the group when possible, regarding our progress, during our group meetings.

In critiquing my performance whilst working with Jana. I’d say that I was a good listener and very co-operative. Whilst my team member Jana was fully motivated and ready to do the task at hand, making sure we overcame any obstacle. For example upon recording clips for the interviews (i.e our characters parents) using our voices, we stumbled upon a small issue. The issue here being the handheld microphone, as we couldn’t get it to work). Jana quickly searched up the model and went through the instructions till we eventually could use the microphone to the best of our abilities. This proved successful as we managed to record rich audio, which we’d later edit on ‘Adobe Audition’, to change the pitch of the voices.

I also started to finish off the case file I’d been working on for our character, using Adobe Photoshop CC 2015. This was a good experience as I’m quite familiar with using Photoshop.

Case File Template (Google Images):  http://orig12.deviantart.net/f22d/f/2013/338/3/f/short_police_file_oc_reference_template_by_falconbirdex-d6wozdx.png)

I made the template into what I saw a case file too look like, thus used the burn tool where appropriate and also added in text too. To make the case file even more authentic. I then decided that I’d attach pictures to the case file much later.

Finished case file (may be subject to change)- By Ashish Patel

References:

Google Images (Image):

http://orig12.deviantart.net/f22d/f/2013/338/3/f/short_police_file_oc_reference_template_by_falconbirdex-d6wozdx.png (link accessed 17^th of November 2015)

 

160MC: (“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): Progress Post

So far my group have come together to plan our presentation (practice one). Upon deliberating we opted to create a news bulletin, start on our case file and our characters diary too.
Below are some pictures of this:
Case file created by me (image found on google images, edited on Adobe Photoshop CC 2015).
Diary Images: Jana Soltisik

I then communicated with my group what needed to be done (see list below):
Eddie and Matt: News Bulletin
Liam: Diary entry drafts
Jana and Ashish: Case file and Diary entries (initial designs)
All: Learn whole character profile, to prepare us for Q and A.

One last thing which was decided was that as a group we’d present the investigation brief to our peers for our draft presentation. Thus giving us sufficient time to prepare a live investigation for our final piece. This would also mean that we’d communicate our character in a more direct and informative way. Thus making it clear to our peers and lecturers, what our character is about and why they went missing and so forth.

Making them understand our character for what they really are, rather than be really confused by them.

160MC: (“Cabinet of Curiosities” Project): Pitch Feedback

After pitching our idea the following feedback was received. The first included the diary as many warmed to this idea. Our lecturer commented how we should watch out for the content of the diary. Making sure that we establish the characters ‘starting point’. One of my group members then explained how the initial diary includes our character being adopted. For which she’d find out through a birthday card on her 17^th birthday. We’d then bring in the character of a psychologist, who would give her a diary. From this point we’d see her darkest and most personal thoughts set out in her diary. This would document the really important things in her life to those things, which she keeps a secret. One of our peers also asked us a question, he asked us: “How would you get across your character, what would they be doing?” I then explained that her body language would come into play here. Considering that she may be really silent and distant on the outside but on the inside be really dark and destructive. Thus keeping a lot of anger within her, eventually bringing it out at some point.

During our pitch two things, which weren’t mentioned, were ‘the drugs’ and ‘the mask’, (as our character would be a ‘vlogger’. Thus we decided to take these parts out, as although they would add more layers to our piece, the audience may get really confused. Considering that they may get lost in the over complicated storyline, which may occur if we were to add these sub plots in.

Our lecturer further pointed out that, as there are six of us in our group, we should aim to take a particular element of our character. I then responded by saying that I may look into her personal relationships, whilst my other team member may look into her family life and so forth. Thus in this way we’d be able to really build up our character from all the different aspects which would go towards her being who she is.

Afterwards we also thought about our ‘final presentation’ ideas in how we were going to opt for a ‘live investigation’. As one of my team members felt that we could opt for a psychological report of our character instead, as a ‘live investigation’ may be too long for our timescale.

160MC: Preparing our pitch for our “Jane Doe” character- (initial ideas pitch): Meeting 3

Today we carried on preparing for our pitch. The first thing we did was look over our characters ‘chain of events’ which was collated by Liam.

Timeline

• Age 17 July – Finds out she is adopted via birthday card, family life suffers.
• Age 17 November – Starts seeing a psychologist, told to write down her feelings into a diary.
• Age 17 December – Christmas does not go as planned. Arguments ensue.
• Age 17 January – She runs away from home. She comes back 2 days later after a small manhunt. (Was with her real mother)
• Age 17 March – Starts to fall behind in studies, parents displeased.
• Age 17 April – Family dog discovered dead.
• Age 17 May – Starts to pass exams with flying colors.
• Age 17 June – Stop’s seeing psychologist, refuses to part with her diary.
• Age 18 July – Takes a Holiday with friends to Spain, instead spends two weeks with her real mother.
• Age 18 September – Starts university studying criminology and photography.
• Age 18 December – Christmas goes well.
• Age 18 February – Is admitting into hospital after a heroine overdose. Real mother blamed.
• Age 18 March – Original diary discovered by adopted parents, discovered she killed the family dog.
• Age 18 March – She runs away with her mother.
• Age 18 April– Starts dating John, a junkie from London.
• Age 19 July – John discovered dead.
• Age 19 October – She and her birth mother argue, mother leaves her on her own.
• Age 19 December – She returns home in a bad way, is cared for.
• Age 19 January – Starts rehab program.
• Age 19 February – Deemed mentally unstable.
• Age 20 July – Released temporarily for her birthday for good behavior, run’s away.

Our story starts here.

• Age 20 – July 12^th – Spotted getting on a train from Birmingham to London Euston.
• Age 20 – July 13^th – Used parents debit card to buy items. Cigarettes, Coat, 2L bottle of vodka, 2 pot noodle’s and a lighter.
• Age 20 July 14^th – Checks into a hotel room.
• Age 20 July 15^th – is seen on CCTV with another women.
• Age 20 July 17^th – Birth Mother found dead.
• Age 20 July 19^th – No word from parents (vanished).
• Age 20 July 21^st – She is found dead.
• Or changes identity

July 25^th – Her father is spotted at her funeral holding a 3^rd diary.

Upon discussing these events the following points were brought. First off all, I felt unsure about having a psychologist in our story. However my group explained to me the purpose of the diary being introduced by the psychologist. They said that it would persuade her to start a diary rather than to have her monitored by the psychologist. Thus would include all of her thoughts and emotions in a very personal way. Another thing, which was brought up, included changing our characters age to be younger. Furthermore we may include our character having an ‘addiction’ with drugs as it would add to her instability and issues. During this we also highlighted the bits, which we liked the most (see above). Thus condensing our ‘chain of events’ in a more fluid and precise way.