M I C H E L L E
Foundation in Natural Built Environment
(FNBE)
MESSAGES FROM THE past
Project Introduction:
This is the second project given to us for Culture & Civilization where by the project is also divided into two parts: individual task and group task.
In a group of 7, the group will be given a specific civilization to understand, research and work on with. Each group will have to film and create a short 15 minute length short video about our civilization based on the understanding of the given civilization's history. Group members are allowed to choose either one part of the whole civilization's timeline or do a brief through of the whole civilization's timeline to film for our video.
To be able to conduct and film the video, group members have to carry out research on their own based on information through books or the internet. After all the necessary information is gathered, the information will be uploaded to the group's Padlet which is an online social media as information sharing among the lecturers and group members. A group report on the civilization which each group has worked on needs to be documented after the filming has ended. The report is based on the information gathered and extracted to be used in the video.
As for the individual task, students have to study the character chosen to be filmed in the short video. An A5 booklet is a journal which has to be produced with coloured sketches and information based on each person's own individual character.
The given civilization: Japan Civilization
The chosen era: Edo Period
Group Members:
Project Brief:
Group Name: Japan Babes
Group Members:
Cham Zheng Chee
Chia Keh Chian
Chin Shee Wei
Koo Jian Xiang
Kok Xuan Ying
Michelle Wong Sook Yin (me)
Koji Seow Takehira
Project Process:
Individual Task
For my individual A5 journal booklet, I have gathered information about my character in the video: Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Before peparing for the video, I have worked on research based on my character so that I can undertsand my character's background, his characteristics and his costumes.
After full understanding my character, I worked on the A5 journal booklet which includes a brief introduction about my character, understanding of related elements (to my character) regarding the culture, social strata and architecture timeline of the chosen era. Sketches and annotations were included in my A5 journal so that it is easily understood by my lecturer.
Each page consists of drawings, information which is coloured by hand.
Research and designing of page based on the character's given era.
Drawing each A5 page
Colouring and writing information for my character
Arranging the timeline of my character using collage
Writing down information about my character
Final touchups for each page
Final A5 Journal Booklet:
 Cover |  Biodata |
|---|---|
 Costume |  Characteristics &Timeline |
 Characteristics &Timeline |  Social Strata & Achievements |
 Social Strata & Achievements |  Culture |
 Architecture Timeline |  Back Cover |
Part 1: Research- Padlet
Padlet is given to us as online social media for information sharing among our lecturers and group members. We have to update the padlet with information based on the research we have conducted before each tutorial sessions.
The information on our padlet includes history, social strata, characters, timeline, culture, architecture and tradition of Japan's Edo period. The information is arranged properly according to each tutorial session.
After the main research is completed, we started to work on each of our respective categories. The costume group designed and made the paper dolls while the script group wrote the script and scenes for our video.
Project Process:
Group Task
The group task is devided into three parts to be completed: research, filming and report compilation.
We have divided each task among each group members so that the workload or everyone is equal. We have also allocated jobs for each member depending on each individual's strength so that the job can be completed effectively.
Jobs are allocated as so:
Costume group: Chia Keh Chian, Chin Shee Wei, Kok Xuan Ying, Koji
Script // Filming Group: Cham Zheng Chee, Koo Jian Xiang, Michelle Wong
Drafts of the paper dolls
Working on the paper dolls and script writing together
Materials for the paper dolls
Examples of the paper dolls we made
Part 2: Preparation for Video Taking- Costumes
After completing the paper dolls and understanding our character in depth, we started on working on our costumes. We identified the different materials needed for armours and different cloth based on their respective colours and texture in making the kimonos.
We have decided to make 2 different sets of costumes because there are equal indoor and war scenes for each character.
The armours are mostly made our of cardboard, bottles, aluminium and other decorative items. The kimonos are made our of cloth and each kimono is sewed by ourselves.
Part 3: Video Taking- Filming
After all costumes and script are prepared, we started filming our 15 minutes length video at various places. Our main camera man is Jian Xiang (Leo) as he is a talented and passionate photographer, he was the director of the whole film.
We did shooting at places such as Leo's house, Bukit Jalil's garden, Cyberjaya, Bukit Tinggi Japanese garden and many other places. We chose places as such based on the suitability of each scene from the script. This was, the video will seem more realistic.
Part 4: Project Compilation- Report
At the end of the project after all videos were done filming, we started on our final part of the group work: the report compilation. The report compilation is a brief summary of the information and research that we have gathered throughout the whole project.
Information on the padlet is further summarized and elaborated on the specific details of our civilization.
Disussing and preparing for our costume making
Cutting and preparing cloth for the kimono
Spraying paint to prepare the armour
Armour preparation
Armour preparation and touch up
Filming at Bukit Tinggi
Gynie and Alexis dressing up and preparing for their character
Props for the filming
Filming in our kimonos at Leo's house
Leo giving instructions for our filming
Armour preparation for filming
Setting up for the filming site
Armours and kimono on the filming set
Photoshooting for report compilation
Final:
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Padlet
Script
Costumes
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1. Armour
2. Kimono
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Video
Report Compilation
Reflection:
While doing this project, I was frequently asked "Why do you need filming as an architect" or "Are you a fashion designer or architect? Why do you need to make costumes for yourself". To an extent, it is true, on how you have to prepare and plan everything by hand whereby everything is unrelated to architecture. But taking a step back, through all the process, work preparation, planning and research, even though everything might not seem as if it is directly related to architecture, the whole preparation, planning and thorough research strongly relates to our future type of working environment.
Planning and preparation is the most important thing when it comes to planning our video. This is where time management comes in place as one of the most important factors in managing the project so that we are able to finish filming on time. Being able to manage each discussion has lead us to finish all needed research on time so that we would be able to start planning for our script and video. From this project, planning shows a sequence where we have stages for us to complete one by one before heading over to the next stage. When each stage is completed on time, the project will not be further delayed. Even if our filming started later than other groups because we needed to go to different locations such as Bukit Tinggi, we were able to finish filming within the planned days and complete our video because we had planned the whole process properly in detail.
Group members cooperation is another important thing when it comes to group projects because you only have each other to depend on when it comes to work completion. While filming, we have encountered problems such as insufficient group members to film some scenes which results in dragging and adding filming sessions in order to finish filming. It is a must to cooperate and make ourselves present for each discussion and meeting to be able to contribute in conducting research, costume making and filming. This project teaches me to prioritise my work (for example, personal matters, individual work and group work) especially when it comes to filming as a group. The video making always comes first when meetings and discussions are planned. Putting the video taking sessions first does not mean neglecting other personal matters, it means putting an extra effort in trying to plan my time properly.
All in all, my group and I have came very far from being unsure of ourselves as a group to completing the video with our very best. Everyone has put in a lot of effort in preparing, filming, making the video, researching and cooperating in order to finish this project together.
TGC Aquired:
Thinking and problem solving skills
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
INtERPERSONAL SKILLS
