Constructing Kevin

Coming near the Finals. Look how far we have come! What do you see?

A website that needs repair. How can we upload it if it is not good? All lies in Aldric's hands now.

Even though it is impossible to get into Grand Finals (judging by our looks and chances) we must try to achieve A.

Project's Day Semi-finals

Constructing Kevin

Today was the semi-finals, and I was so nervous when we knew we were going to be the next group to present. (I was afraid that I might screw up, by speaking too softly or something) One of the judges commented that we should have used the camera at the media resource center, so that our film quality would be better. Another thing was that our trailer might not have had the impact it was supposed to give, as the sound for the computer did not work. One of the judges also commented that we dwelled too much on why we decided not to use claymation, which got me quite worried, but think we might just pull through.

Constructing Kevin

Because i knoe most of you guys are selfish slackers who probably wait for me to do most of the things, and most don't bother to check the blog, this will show to Ms Huang how committed you guys are.

Aldric, I asked for a better website for weeks, the whole of June in fact. I expect the font and images to be uploaded. If you don't have the photos, that is not an excuse as you could have called me this week to send it to you. If you had no time that is also no excuse as home learning week should give you enough time.

We will meet Ms Huang on thurs when sch reopens to show the Finished video. That's right. FINISHED.

Since your house seems to be our hosting area, Jun Weng make the skeletons. Make them more flexible and durable. We can't film them with stick arms and breakable heads.

I and Oon will work on directing the film and organising filming.

TASKS:
WEBSITE- WITH PHOTOS AND UPDATED LOOK- ALDRIC BEK
SKELETONS, BASIC PROPS- LIM JUN WENG
FILMING, DIRECTING- VALEN, RYAN
EFFECTS- NOT CHOSEN, BUT PROBABLY ME AND ALDRIC.

We need someone to provide a better camera as I had learnt from my experience with the Shakespeare project that sound quality was scratchy in all recordings. I expect one of you to volunteer a GOOD camera for use.

Also, my camera will be used to take photos for the site, if needed. Its primary function will be showing Ms Huang what you guys do during meetings, (me included of course).

Tuesday- Effects, editing. We will make the sound file needed for the first scene and edit the introduction. Currently, aldric put us as Valen, Ryan, Aldric , FISH. And the intro looks bad. So we need to edit it. IF we can get a better camera we will refilm first scene.

look forward to sacrificing all you free time left. we need to finish the website and video version 1 3 days before 16 july, which is semifinal. That means we have 5 days to it, maybe if we include Sundays 6. Actually, if we could film on Sunday, Jun Weng, Your mother can help in filming to be , well, a actual FEMALE mother. Aldric sounds like Prince Charles with flu in the video.

PLEASE RESPOND.

The video

Constructing Kevin

Hi guys,

Maybe you would like to watch and hear this part of the video.




Somehow it just doesn't feel like a mother...

Good job!

Impt! Non Stop Pday MArathon!

Constructing Kevin

OK guys,meeting 2moro starts at 9.30am, at JW's house ( all our materials are there)

Time: 9:30am to Whenever we finish (tentative)

Tools:
1x Video Cam
1x Web cam
1x Camera
nx Laptop
1x Project Materials
Actors for Boon Kee and Kevin: 2x School Uniforms
EZ-Link Cards (For travel purposes,if needed)
Pday Scripts
etc...you get the point.

Reply if interested in acting or I'll pick you.

Order of Events:
1. Preparation of sets, characters, human characters
2. Preparation of first scene
3. Preparation of first scene (acting)
4. Et Cetera x Scenes
5. Compilation
6. Video Editing and Music, Audio (Done by Aldric mostly.)
7. Picture-taking ceremony (To show proof)
8. Blog Edition
9. Dismissal/ Slacking.

Simple. Any other things we need you just call me ....

Non-stop Pday GG Marathon
24/6/09

Metting slots available

Constructing Kevin

my bad for not checking the blog...im free on everyday unless my CCA decids to inform me about a meeting at the last minute...

Available Dates

Constructing Kevin

I am available on Wednesday. However, I am not available on Tuesday, because I have another project to finish. I am also busy on Thursday and Friday.However, I can communicate with you via MSN on Thursday. Thanks.

Constructing Kevin

I don't want to sound like a Ting Yit in addressing you guys, so I will be kind of quick.

Before you think I'm a screwup for having no meetings, ask yourselves this: Have YOU - Not Russell - YOU done anything for the project?

Due to the tight timeframe we have left we will be having 3 meetings next week. I beseech you to tell me when you are free. How can I contact you guys if you guys do not check the blog?

Project Updates

Constructing Kevin

I don't know whether any of you irresponsible bums have been checking this blog, but here's a project update I hope you'll read.

Due to our poor commitment schedules and our sucky animation skills, part of the animated film will be acted out instead. Sort of like a superimposement of claymation and drama to form one film.

There were originally meetings scheduled this week, but I had a fever for 4 DAYS...so I cancelled all of them.
The starting song of our video will be "The Siren", a free for use song from Newgrounds chosen due to its peaceful start, sort of dreamy feeling. It is available here:

http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/22906

Meetings with Ms Huang: Probably after 18 June, since Aldric and I have ATC camp. Jun Weng, we need to know when your holiday is.

Meeting probably at school or at JW's house. For the drama we might pull in Ms Huang for the role of Kevin's teacher. Roles to be finalised.

Please indicate in the CBox to show that you have read this message. Thank you.

Any suggestions please leave them here.

Postscript: I might not be going for ATC due to my high fever. However, that does not mean that we can hold full meetings. In the case that this does happen, feel free to call me for any inquiries.

PS.PS. PLEASE read and post something for once guys. So far only Ryan has contacted me abt meetings. I have taken the initiative to call JW, but it's up to Aldric. Guys please post your schedule for the rest of June so I can plan meetings better.

Constructing Kevin

Aldric raised a good point to me today. Where will the sound effects for the video come from?

Either we find music pieces to use, or we might have to compose our own, whether recorded or using a computer.

Posting Protocol

Constructing Kevin

Posting Protocol:



Title:

Constructing kevin

- Talk about event
-Reflections
- Other notes

No vulgar or crude words

Constructing Kevin - PRELIMS 2!

Prelims 2 TODAY! Had to do some last minute changes to the presentation. Presentation was okay, nothing much, except that i stumbled some parts. Aldric left after the presentation...i'll just console myself with the fact that at least he left after the presentation, not before it. If i'm not wrong, this should be the 4th or 5thh time he left for third lang or council meeting.

At first, Valen had no battery left on his laptop, so he wanted to use mine, but i couldn't access internet. Then, we realised Valen brought his charger. After the presentations, i found out why i could not connect to the internet. I forgot to turn on wireless......

Anyway, it turned out quite well today, and i'm confident we'll be moving on to semi finals, then finals and grand finals. I realised at least one thing: that I had to be responsible for what I actually promised to do: i forgot about writing the script until late last night, at about 9pm. There was also a great rush to edit some things in the presentation. Then, i realised, that i missed out something in the script. Well, i just had to be responsible.

PRELIMS-2 30/4/09

Constructing Kevin

Today was Prelims 2. We touched up on our Project Compilation file and powerpoint.

I was actually quite nervous before we went on. Not just nervous, but panicky. I was so panicky that I tried to work on the project compilation file in recess, or even anytime left. I had the notion of doing it in Chinese class, but my conscience stopped me.

Anyway, I felt that today was actually an success. Nothing went wrong, except maybe my slip-up in Q&A over claymation.However it was not so important.

Our group ran out of time half way, so I did not need to present. I wished that our mentor would give us some guidance, but well, she was judging us, so I felt even more nervous, like i was going to die.

The opposite happened, however, because I am still alive to type this. If we do get into the semis, everyone's happy. If not, well, thats another unlikely story=D

My next plan of action is to start filming. The Judges gave us good advice on the claymation, a la Robot Chicken, our figures, we can consider using action figures. We can either make those or order those from craft shops. I plan to ask our mentor about the animation course and of course, about conducting interviews. I hope that our group is competent enough to get through into the Finals. With hard work, conviction, dedication, motivation and of course, a sprinkle of luck I am sure that we can get into Finals.

Reflections

Constructing Kevin

When my group read the results of the preliminary round, we were sad and emotional (our leader especially), but we knew that at the time of the judging already. We knew that crying would not help, hence we were determined not to fail again, and got set to work very quickly. I am quite happy that now we are back on track.
When I read "Kevin" the moment we decide to adapt a story, I felt that the story was very interesting, and I can relate to boy of the expectations that his parents had on him, just like the many expectations my parents have of me as well. Hence I believe that I would be able to complete this project well. I hope to get through prelims 2.

Throughout the entire project, I felt the most responsibility of every mistake the group committed, especially getting into Prelims 2. I felt as though it was all my fault. I felt that I did not enough as Leader of the group. I also felt that I did not motivate the group to do the work enough.
However, my mentor, instead of being angry with us, she actually gave us words of encouragement. With each meeting I felt better and more confident about the project. I started to feel as though the project was not a complete failure after all, but a success in need of improvement. I felt that all these work was worthwhile after all.
Now, I feel that my group does not enjoy strict meetings, but ones which everyone can be informal in speech and relax while doing the work. If I get everyone to work this way, I am sure that the project can be completed in June, or even the end of May.

Overall reflections/thoughts so far

Constructing Kevin

Okay, I just finished the screenplay, a bit too early, though. We haven't got permission to use it first, so nothing's going to happen yet. The screenplay is just in case f we get it, then we've aready done something. So far, writing the screenplay was fun, but it took quite a while. We only knew that we had to request permission for copyright fter a talk during our Secondary 2 assembly...and we had to ruh out the letter for the Prelims, exactly 5 days after I post this. I still haven't received any news yet...hope we get it within the 5 days.

Actually, It was quite disappointing for me when we didn't get past Prelims, but thinking back, I didn't really do anything significant, and at least now the entire group has done a lot as a whole. The Prelims really told us ho e have no time to slack or procrastinate, so let's just do all the work first. This time, I personally feel I'm better prepared for the Prelims 2.

Well, after the Prelims, there has been quite a rush to right the wrongs, and I've learned a lot of things, including copyright laws, how to write a letter to request for copyight laws, not to procrastinate, well, and I think havin to wat fo the reply wil also tet my patience, and mot probably my group's too. It has been enriching and fun, and I don't want the fun to end so quickly, so I hope we'll manage to get past Prelims 2.

Constructing Kevin: Meeting with Mentor 23/4/09

Well, to day we edited the presentation, added in analysis of the characters and wrote a letter to request for copyright permission...nothing else. Aldric had to leave early for third lang, Ryan came just before we finished so me and Valen kind of did all the work (no offence, Ryan, and I would like to acknowledge Valen for doing about 60% of the work). And yeah, thats about all that happened today.

Ok, then thats all for today. At least I learned how to request people for copyright permission and......at least I learned one thing.

After getting copyright permission(I really hope we get it, or it's back to square one), we should be able to start on the adaptation to screenplay, something I'm really looking forward to. Let's hope it all turn out well enough. Prelims in about two weeks, and we can't do anything but wait and see if we get copyright permission.

Meeting with Mentor 23/4/09

Meeting with mentor

Basically, she told us that our presentation was not very interesting and that we needed to change the layout. We also needed to prepare character analysis and personalities.

I felt really casual today as Jun Weng and Aldric once again, broke the atmosphere by talking about the biology lesson we had before the meeting. What made it worse was that Joshua, who was there as well, added on to the discussion.

Actually, we can have meetings in a casual tone after all, but we just need to stay focused.

Meeting 21/4/09 @ Jun Weng's House

Okay...the meeting was kind of successful. We managed to finished the work quickly and then wecould all play a bit. IOt was better than working in school; at least we had all the time we needed.

Well, at least we finished annotating, and identified the key themes. We could say this was one of our more productive meetings...

Next meeting should be either tomorrow or on Thursday...hope we don't mess up...

Meeting 21/4/09 @ Jun Weng's House

-Completed Key Themes and annotations

This meeting was to test whether it was suitable to meet at Jun Weng's house after school is neccessary. Aldric did not go as he had a council meeting, which was good because we finished before his meeting started.

Personally, I am feeling more confident about passing prelim-2, even though that was an easy task.