Initial Preparation and Learning Contract

To get things moving I got in touch with the local council about filming using replica guns for my additional deliverable. I will go into more detail regarding this soon. I'm still waiting on a reply back. This could be crucial as without backing it will be difficult to find a location for filming.

I also set out a first draft of my learning contract, this document outlines what i propose to do and how i will achieve each element. It also explains why certain elements are necessary.

SOC10102 Honours Project (60 Credits)

Learning Contract

1. Nature of the Project I will develop an intricate and engaging story told through multiple sources of media. The objective is to tell a story in a way that moves from traditional storytelling techniques. The story will progress with optional extra branches which will provide a deeper insight into the world. These optional branches are not necessary to understand and enjoy the story but will provide a deeper and richer experience. Research will involve looking at similar storytelling methods, mainly Alternate Reality Games. The story will be developed across various platforms including mobile, web, written, audio, and visual/video. The main skills this project will draw on will be creativity and development for web and mobile. I am confident in my ability to create video or visual pieces using software. I have a reasonable amount of web development experience as well. Mobile will be a new area for me and I intend to develop new skills throughout the research phase. The main sources for my idea exist online. I will draw from experience in ARG’s such as “Our Colony” which I participated in. Also “I Love Bees” which was hugely successful in promoting Halo 3. ARGN.com will be a good source for evaluating current ARG’s. However, although I will be looking at these sources it is purely to help me look at what they are missing and to try and develop an engaging experience without the participant having the ulterior motive of achieving or winning something at the end. I want people to want to experience my project because of the depth of the story and ability to empathise with the characters involved.

2. Interim Deliverable: Week 12 Report I intend to submit full storyboards outlining the entire progression of the story, showing all branches and discussing which media each section will be told through. I will also develop the main characters, with a full back story and profiles. By this stage I will have shown that I can manage a full scale project by utilising good time management abilities to ensure I can develop the story to a full and understandable level. The research done by this stage will be outlined and help to streamline my project to ensure I am developing only what is necessary. Any issues that come up prior to the week 12 report will be outlined and any characters of story plots that have been dropped or altered will be fully explained.

3. The Additional Deliverable This will be in the form a 1 minute live action short. To create this I will need to storyboard a short scene, provide actors and extras as well a small crew and find a suitable location to film. This live action short will draw from researching similar projects, used to promote games such as “Resistance 3” and “Halo : Reach”. Once filming is complete I will use Adobe After Effects for post production and create convincing special effects to ensure the scene feels as close to the setting of the fictional story as possible. The short should feel professional and useful as a tool for expanding the depth of the story. The main benefit of this piece is that it will provide a realistic visual representation of the world that the characters and events of the story take place in. It will help create an extra depth to the story and allow participants to feel engaged in the fictional world. The final live action short will be fully complete and last 1 minute.