Zixin(Shena) Wang

The proposed digital narrative:

One positive thing about the proposed project:

Shena presents a very positive interactive game story, from which I could recognize a narration of a heroine saving lives. By providing the girl in the story only three chances of going back in time, Shena enables different audiences to choose differently and to end up with varying results, which enhances the bilateral interaction with the audiences.

An idea or suggestion that might lead to something interesting：

I think Shena could somehow alter her design of the timing and space of the three time-travels. For instance, in the first plot where her friend died in a car accident, despite her wish to use the opportunity to go back in time and change her friend’s fate, she would have to find the reason for the accident in order to bring her back to life. I think her story could use more details, or more description of the connection between the life of other characters and the female protagonist. In this way, the plot becomes a better manifestation of the heroine image Shena created for the female protagonist.

What else did you want to know?

I would like to learn more about what kind of tools or softwares Shena would utilize to realize her role-playing game. More specifically, how would she produce the visual effects of the scene, characters, and props appeared in the game.

Can you suggest any literature/research that your peer should investigate, that might be useful or informative?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Love

The story Shena narrates resembles a Japanese movie I once watched called “Operation Love”. The movie talks about how the male protagonist, who have always had a feeling for his childhood friend but never got the chance to tell her, is at her wedding when a supernatural creature decides to use magic to help him travel back in time and change his fate. Every time he travels, he would relive the key moments in his life and try to make amends for the mistakes he made. In the end, he relinquished his right to time-travel upon realizing that making the loved one happy is another form of joy. I think Shena may be inspired by this movie and add in some variation to the plot of each time-travel in order to gain another perspective at last.

Are there any details about specific aspects of the proposed project that weren’t clear to you? Explain.

Regarding the characters involved, what is the relationship between the protagonist and other characters? I am confused about how many branches will she design. Is each of the three time-travel opportunities a branch? Will there be minor branches to each of the main branch? In what form will she present the final project to the audience? Will it be an online or mobile game or others?

The presentation:

Something you noticed that could have improved the pitch：

I think in order to help us better understand her game and how audiences interact with it, Shena could make a rough demonstration of the game as her pitch.

 

Makara Vorn

The proposed digital narrative:

One positive thing about the proposed project：

The project Makara proposed is a VR video about cultural sensitive of aborigines at Uluru (Ayers Rock). I think it is a viable subject, using latest technology to raise awareness among tourists of the relevant rules at Uluru, and filming the scene there to provide them with an immersive experience of the spectacle of the place. It is a great way to improve tourists’ respect for the culture and to employ new technology to help the land remain intact.

An idea or suggestion that might lead to something interesting：

Makara mentions in her proposal that while cultural activities and spiritual performances held annually deeply attract tourists to take pictures or film the events, such actions are in fact disallowed. I think in order to change the situation, besides showing audiences the scenery through VR, Makara could also interview the aborigines, or make a mock video that demonstrates the potential changes to the soil if tourists continue to disrespect the local culture or climb the rocks recklessly.

What else did you want to know?

As far as I know, RMIT has no VR equipment for us to use at the moment, then how would she realize her project? How long does she expect the filming will take? Does she have prior experience of video production using VR? If not, I think it would be very difficult for an amateur new to VR. How would she deal with these difficulties?

Can you suggest similar projects that your peer should investigate, that might be useful or influential?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbu4R8YWLcc “360° Field of Light Uluru” is an amazing 360-degree video of the scene of Uluru. And https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wo4rI6kYI4&t=8s “Uluru Vr” is a video consisting of a dancing scene of the aborigines, from which one can see their respect for the land, and interview clips with the aborigines. The solemn background music also calls for an innate sense of respect.

The presentation:

One positive thing you observed：

Makara’s presentation employs symbolic pictures to clearly identify her topic for the viewers, and is much more appealing than PowerPoint slides full of words.

In your own words, summarise your peer’s project back for them:

Overall, I find Makara’s digital narrative quite appealing, at least I am deeply interested. Because for people like me who have never been to Uluru and have little knowledge of its culture, her project will be a great aid to my understanding of the place and its history. However, given the difficulty of realizing her goal, she needs to think about how exactly to make this project. She also needs to seriously consider how to negotiate with the local government since, as she mentioned, it is forbidden to film culturally sensitive matters there.

 

Zhexiong(Lyn) Ning

The proposed digital narrative:

One positive thing about the proposed project：

Lyn proposed a parallel narrative short film with multiple storylines happening simultaneously. It will narrate each story separately before uniting them in a complete structure to form the ending. I think it is a very good start to develop his story.

An idea or suggestion that might lead to something interesting：

I think this is a rather complicated narrative technique, in fact, every storyline that Lyn narrates makes me confused. I suggest that he make more specific changes to every storyline, such as the close tie between each of them, how they contrast each other. Make the contrast more obvious to enhance the artistic effect on the audience.

What else did you want to know?

What equipment will Lyn use to make this short film? Where would it happen? He mentioned that two different languages will be used in the project, does he mean different subtitles or audios? How would he put six different parallel narratives in a film that lasts 5-6 minutes? What about post-production?

Name single, specific problem you observed：

I think Lyn’s story lacks a catchy climax. I didn’t see a significant turning point in the story he proposed, which according to him would be a parallel montage. Yet, though he described each of the storyline as closely connected to the ending, I could seem to find it in the pitch. Meanwhile, I think there is little space for audiences to interact with the project besides watching it on social media platforms. This flaw would make his project rather boring and traditional.

Are there any details about specific aspects of the proposed project that weren’t clear to you? Explain.

Lyn has a very diverse character setting, ranging from a man and a woman arguing in the restaurant to the waiter, the dinners, and then to the little girl. As the story progresses toward the ending where a truck bursts into the wedding scene, everything seem to be a series of fuses.I am a bit confused about the final visualization of Lyn’s project because he didn’t really introduce the style or theme of his short film in detail.

The presentation:

One positive thing you observed：

I think it is worthy of learning that during his pitch, Lyn employed a lot of body language to explain his project. He made good use of arrows to point to each story as he talked through each of the storyline, and helped us get a clear sense of the development of each.

Something you noticed that could have improved the pitch：

I think he can show some clips during the pitch instead of just putting posters of the film in the PowerPoint. These clips would help audiences understand more about the style and narrative of his project.

Margot Treinsoutrot

The proposed digital narrative:

One positive thing about the proposed project：

I believe that Margot’s project is very flexible and would be a highly interactive game in which players can identify and eliminate opponents by assigning different roles, goals, and power. Margot has a precise sense of how she will accomplish this game, which is using different softwares to write the programme for the strategy role-playing game.

An idea or suggestion that might lead to something interesting：

I think Margot will need to plan the unique aspect of every role or character. The design of each special power is important since the progression of the game plot will rely on these power distributed. I also suggest her to add special events in the game to make it more intriguing. Players should be able to acquire corresponding health points or power through these events. In addition, it is most important for Margot to consider the plot design, which for me is the key to a successful strategy role-playing game.

Can you suggest similar projects that your peer should investigate, that might be useful or influential?

Like I said, I think the uttermost important aspect of strategy role-playing games is the design of the script. I once played a similar game called “Holy War Pedigree”. I especially love its plot, which depicts the distinct fate of two generations of people. Taking players through the huge emotional changes from joy to lamentation, and the other way around, the game leaves shocking impression on its players. Besides, building on the theme of politics, love, and war, the game deeply alluring.

Are there any details about specific aspects of the proposed project that weren’t clear to you? Explain.

Regarding the final visualization, in what ways will Margot deliver the sensory experience? Will it be 2D or 3D, or even interactive card name? I think besides the plot and the various types of power, visualization is also an indispensable part of strategy role-playing games. Therefore, presenting the game to players in 3D will make grant players more sense of space and immersion.

The presentation:

Something you noticed that could have improved the pitch：

Margot made a coherent introduction of the production method of her strategy role-playing game. I think it is off to a great start. While she displayed the relevant player’s panel in the game, I think it would be even better if she could include a demonstration to help audiences understand her project, such as the interaction between two players and so on.

In your own words, summarise your peer’s project back for them：

Margot’s digital narrative is a highly viable project because she is adroit in utilizing various kinds of programming softwares to realize this game. However, I think it would be more attractive to audiences if she applied more visual displays. Moreover, there has to be a distinct feature to the plot design. Subjects that are too traditional would bore players, while an ingenious concept will be definitely be more favorable to them.

I declare that in submitting all work for this assessment I have read, understood and agree to the content and expectations of the assessment declaration.