#12: The Drawing Board... March 26th 2009

I conjured up numerous storyboard ideas in my head for this new project prior to the lesson, and I had these designs with the assumption that I would be working with my previous project members and had their assistance and contributions in the various aspects of creating the video. However, Ms. Wong then informed us of a change in plan, that instead of working in our original groups, we would be working in pairs. After being notified of this alteration, I realized that some of the ideas that I had beforehand needed to be modified as well because then I would not have enough manpower or assistance to fulfill the responsibilities that came with the original plans such as very thorough video and audio editing and sound mixing, multiple filming dates, casting of actors, diversified utilization of camera shots etc. This would have required me to work extremely hard to complete the project and most likely not complete it by the due date.

Nonetheless, within minutes of being notified, I created new ideas in my head that would suit my circumstances. I chose Justin (and vice versa) to be my project partner because he is my best friend and we work very well together. We spent this lesson trying to not only come up with plot ideas for the 30-second video, but also on other specific details such as choice of music, required actors etc. Since intellectual property is basically one's creation, such as art work, music, invention, literature etc, my idea was to film a bunch of my friends who are artists/inventors/musicians/writers/directors and film them performing the routine tasks of their individual occupations and also say "My (intellectual property)" and "Protect Intellectual Property Rights". The music track I chose for the video was titled "Campus Circus" on the competition's web page. I chose this music track because it was joyous, uplifting and upbeat. These themes in the music fit my storyboard perfectly. That was it for the lesson.

I felt that today's lesson was quite productive. Although Justin had not formed a full-length plot for his video yet, he did assist me in creating mine by suggesting possible actions, helping me out with song choice etc. I am very excited about my idea for the video. I think it is cheerful, engaging and at the same time delivering a serious message to the public of a devastating crime many of us are exposed to in today's cyber-era. The idea reminds me of today's "preventing breast cancer" and "get health insurance" commercials in the U.S, in which they exhibit various parties of jubilant people endorsing a product/precaution and benefiting from it.