Earth Hour Project Blog

Introduction 

This blog is a day to day sequence of events of how our class decided on and carried out a very fast paced project in a  short time span of two weeks.The purpose of the project was to full fill the conditions of the brief that was given to us. The brief was to create awareness  of the forthcoming event Earth Hour on the 28th of February 2012.Earth hour is now becoming a global event to create awareness of global warming.Our brief was to see how our class could manage as a team and execute the large project of having as many lights turned off on the campus at a specified time.The brief allowed us to choose various mediums to carry out the projects expectations.

Our group 

Philip Sheard

Laurie Sugdon 

kelly Louise Arnold

Monday 13th 

Today we was presented with a brief. Following this the tutor asked us to divide ourselves up into groups and for each group to have a team leader to liaise with the rest of the teams.We then were on our own to decide what parts of the brief we would be responsible for. 

I suggested to the class that as a whole we should write down our mobile numbers, course and email addresses. The intention of this was to be able to have direct contact with each member of the class. This was put into effect but was later rejected by another team as they wanted to use social media sites for contacts, they thought this would work better. 

Wednesday 15th 

I suggested  we organize groups by categorizing people into specific roles according to their initial ideas that they had thought of for the event.On the whole this was agreed but because the marketing team was not present there was some dissension which was understandable as this would limit some choices for some groups. For my part I wanted to get on as I was worried about the time span. Our group chose to do an short TV advertisement. Laurie made it clear that we had the support of her flat mates who were on the film and TV course so cameras would be available for us to utilize.

At this particular moment i was very concerned about the time scale we had to complete the project in. I did wonder at what the quality would be as regards to the tutors expectations. However despite the stress involved as to the time scale and the group dynamics I found that consequently  some of the group and myself became more motivated, enthusiastic and passionate to succeed.We came to realize that this was what the tutor was looking for and wanted to see how we were going to act as a group under such pressures.

I found at this time that i needed to find some quiet time alone to reflect on where we were up to and where we were going next. I did this by relaxing in my room watching a little on Earth Hour and also having a time out session on the xbox. I had a vision of a student running up and down the halls switching off the lights. This idea then triggered a song that would fit nicely into this called Hit The Lights by Metallica. I thought this could be a great idea to base the project around as it was simple and cost effective. This was paramount as we didn’t have any money but also didn’t want the problems of seeking funding. 

Thursday 16th

Today i presented this idea to the group which was received with enthusiasm. Some of the group had also come up with some ideas. Laurie suggested letting a large numbers of lanterns off, however after discussion we decided that this would deem to be too expensive. 

My belief was the project could be completed with out any outlay of money.

Later on in the afternoon I drew up part of the story board for guidance and fresh ideas ready for us to start filming on Friday night.

Friday 17th

At this time our group really did pull together and began working smoothly as a team. We began filming at around 5:00pm until 8:00pm Kelly, and Laurie took part in acting for the film. Many jobs overlapped but the team all accepted working toward the common aim,

although two of the people were cameramen i did also use the camera myself as i wanted it recorded exactly how i visualized  the event. At the end of the night we were very happy as what we had accomplished. 

Saturday 18th

Today I added more to the story board that was then later incorporated into the film with myself Laurie and Kelly.

Sunday 19th

Laurie and myself with the help of Ben the camera man filmed the final parts of the film ready for editing on Monday.

Monday 20th

Today me laurie and kelly were editing the film. Laurie had much experience with this so I was there as guidance while she herself did most of the editing.There was however some difficulties getting the right effects I wanted. After a discussion we asked a tutor for some help. I believe that with working as a team it was responsible for getting the filming accomplished effectively. We all felt very excited about its completion.

Tuesday 22nd

Today me and laurie were editing the Video.

I was still concerned about the time scale so to move the project forward, I thought it was time to talk to the student union in regards to distributing the video across campus. This was done by talking to a gentleman named Colin who works up in the Hub student union. He was kind enough to help with much enthusiasm. He told me that there should not be a problem to have the video put up on the large screen.

Wednesday  23rd

Today me and laurie spent our time editing.  

Thursday 24th

Today me and Laurie spent the day doing the rest of the editing and tying loose ends.

I also approached the manager of the student bar the Venu but had no luck as he didn't seam to be on the same level as myself. I did however mention the benefits and that he might have more revenue but again i just got nothing. I went to then see Colin up in the student union to give him a copy of the Advert so he would then put this on the screen. I had a conversation with a few members of the class and got a comment that it would have been so much easier to have had everyones number as it was found that  facebook and twitter was not very reliable. It made me think that i should have then stuck to my guns and went with what i thought would have worked at the beginning. 

Monday 27th 

From what colin told me the Advert was to be put up on the friday but when i came back to uni on the monday it was found that unfortunately this did not happen.Today we had a lady in for a talk about where we was and what we wanted to get done. I gave her the Advert DVD as she was going to go and get it on the big screen . Later i see colin and he told me to go get the key tomorrow and then i could have the Video on all day. I was quite upset that it took this long for the video to go up but i was please when it was.

The Event  

The event was slow to start but it really did fill up with  over 100 people. The entertainment was fantastic so I was very proud of the team who organised that. I was however concerned that we could not get any lights out in the hub , it would have been such a good thing to have had but health and safety unfortunately got in the way of that. Over all I think from start to finish it was moderately organised and strong in places. Well done all! x