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Project Pitch

Blog 1

Im just going to write this whole blog in the perspective of the time Im in now (extremely late) 

So yes when I should have been writing this whole process down I had a plan for a vlog (not a blog) involving some kind of narrative. I was inspired by the found footage horror genre and online horror ARGs. I was looking to make my character, Hex, feature in a horror story of its own. I knew the series would start wholesome and normal with each episode things getting worse and worse. 

To be honest during this part of the term this was the height of my planning. I have since come up with a far less general idea of each episode. Which I wont spoil here. 

Project Development 

Blog 2

So far my project hasn't had the smoothest start I basically entirely forgot about the first assignment. (which I will hope to turn in the next few days.) However my first video, as part of my digital artefact, has been posted. And in that respect, I am on schedule for the release of my 3 vlogs. 

In week 7 (like I had planned) I did all the filming I needed for my vlog, including a almost step by step walkthrough of making a normal plywood box look a whole lot more old-western using fence board and spray paint. In my filming I also included a time lapse of a throne I had designed using old tree stumps and branches. In the time-lapse you see me drilling screws to reinforce the throne for the actor who will be using the room. Also during the outro of the vlog I hinted to the "portal" I will be building in next weeks blog really kicking of the twist of this "vlog".

 Im really excited about this designed fiction approach to my DA. Ive done something similar to this with Max Capacity in BCM 112 however the horror approach with my own character developed before-hand is really compelling for me to work on. 

When it came to music I had a general idea of the genre or feel I wanted the music to have. I was looking for a creepy, southern, folk vibe to set the mood of the story which will evolve as the next episodes. I started curating a playlist with this feeling in mind, I had some songs in mind already and had even found a song to use as the opening theme of the "show". Also after some talk with Zeke, a member of my network I have been recommended a few new songs to use in future episodes.

"Through bushes and through briars

I've lately made my way

All for to hear a small bird sing

...

your rarity determines mine

Such times we find we’re in the presence of

A reckoning divine"

Now in week 8 I had done the editing over a course of about 3 days. I also included last years promotional trailer, to better describe what Heartstoppers is all about. 

I did the editing on final cut pro as I said I would in my week 6 update. Ive been using this software for years and ive grown pretty comfortable with its tools. As I said this first vlog still took some time but I now have the template of the first vlog to use for episodes 2 and 3 however episode 3 will be a bit more experimental (you'll see ;)

Im happy with my project and its alignment to the subject topic, centralised and decentralised network that in this case is the centralised network that is Youtube. Overall Im very determined to keep this inertia and not only catch up but to excel as my DA continues its development.

Contextual Report

The creation of my Digital Artefact was a very  interesting process. To start I had tons of grand plans, a “vlog” series, which would then slowly develop into a horror narrative featuring my character, Hex. However with all the work I had this term both inside and outside of school. This idea has been cut down, I created a pilot, a hopefully interesting and compelling pilot, with editing, filming and acting I'm all proud of. However as the haunt got closer and closer to opening with crunch period in full effect my DA, sadly, took the back seat. I have some more footage, which wont fit the narrative but will still be a compelling watch. Hopefully I can get something posted on the same youtube channel within the term still.

 I'm not quite sure what happened to my scheduling and planning this term. I'm quite disappointed in myself. This is (in my opinion) my worst performance academics wise since starting UOW. Even last year I took better advantage of my time while working at Heartstoppers and surviving part time study, however this year with even more responsibilities it's just been too much. Hopefully what I have turned in has been up to par to at least pass. I'm disappointed I ran out of time to complete the narrative I had formed, it seemed really interesting and fun but I suppose a normal two part vlog without the narrative is still a worthwhile digital artefact to complete.

 Outside of the disappointment with my videos, my Discord engagement was better with 10 total posts. I believe I regularly interacted in a large network with my other peers and my professors. Keeping my updates regular and informative was important to me. I believe I did much better in this aspect. I'm still happy with the parts of the digital artefact I was able to complete. I also believe I followed the subject topic of centralised and decentralised networks well posting all my work either here on my vlog, on discord or, in the case of my digital artefact, Youtube. With access to all my public posts on youtube and online through google sites i believe my project was well adjusted in the centralised network. Overall I am pretty disappointed in my work in this class specifically however I am hoping it's enough to at least pass, and do better in my future work.