Rental Rewind II

At the start of my practicum, I anticipated creating simple motion graphics using only After Effects from their existing assets. However, once I understood the tasks I needed to accomplish, they granted me creative freedom in the production process. Consequently, I sought a more effective approach to showcase their logo by animating it using Adobe Animate and enhancing the effects with Adobe After Effects after the initial animation process.

I found that gathering task information in a real-world setting is more challenging than in a classroom, where the instructor provides a comprehensive description and explanation of the assignment. In a professional environment, we must independently identify and comprehend the work requirements by posing effective questions. Additionally, our instructors in the workplace may not have a preconceived notion of what we might present, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or overestimations of the quality of work we can deliver. Conversely, in the real world, we must articulate what we can contribute to the company, demonstrating flexibility and predictability regarding the quality of work based on the available time constraints.

In the initial stages, I lacked clarity on when and how to submit my work. I hesitated to inquire about the production process and workflow, concerned it might appear unprofessional. To address this, I convinced myself to ask, demonstrating professionalism by proposing a potential solution. Upon sending the message to my mentor, she praised my proactive approach, acknowledging it as a manifestation of my passion for the project. She also agreed with the direction I suggested. Consequently, we now have a clear understanding of how the project will proceed and the corresponding process.

For the practicum, the most significant challenge I encountered was implementing a directional change prompted by additional information that had not been previously mentioned. Initially, I believed the video I created should establish a connection with Season 1, as it is a consistent theme for the show. When I developed the storyboard, my direction received approval, leading me to believe the process would proceed smoothly and effectively. However, after submitting the first edition of my product, my mentor expressed concerns that the content in the clips was heading in a direction contrary to their preferences. I was informed that I needed to exclude video clips from Season 1 and find different materials that aligned with the desired elements, ultimately creating a second version of the video. This experience taught me that despite a seemingly rigorous making process, unforeseen changes can arise, and you never know what challenges may impact your work. Fortunately, I had sufficient time to make the necessary modifications, ensuring the product would still be delivered on time.

Towards the end of the practicum, we conducted a Discord chat where our peers shared their work, allowing us to exchange thoughts and feedback. I made an effort to contribute my insights to both my peers and mentor through the Discord chat. Being able to view others' work for the same project was a valuable experience, creating a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

My mentor introduced me to another team that expressed interest in having a conversation with me after seeing my work. I connected with the team, and they assigned me some job opportunities, agreeing to commence their project after my graduation. It was entirely unexpected to gain the chance to work with another team and receive a job opportunity. I am genuinely delighted that my work has been praised, and I am impressed by the various methods we can use to connect with different people.

To be honest, I consider the most valuable assets I've gained to be the working experience and the contributions I've made to their project—beneficial for enhancing my portfolio and resume. As for skills and knowledge, I believe they are already encompassed in my learning journey at SAIT. If I had to pick one, I would say it is the development of a professional way of communication. Practicing formal and polite communication with the company is invaluable.

Firstly, I will ensure that I fully understand the meaning of the feedback by asking additional questions. Once we are on the same page, I will proceed to follow the given directions and update my work accordingly. Finally, I will review both versions of the work to discern the differences, aiding my understanding of the impact of the changes made.

It is crucial to demonstrate confidence in your skills. Additionally, it is advisable to be proactive, considering that most mentors are occupied with other tasks. Being flexible in such situations is beneficial. For instance, when I haven't received feedback or suggestions from the mentor, I proactively take the initiative by sending a follow-up email and preparing for the next task instead of merely waiting for a response.

Originally, I thought working for others would always be less interesting than working for myself. I found that I was wrong. Working with Crooked Cinema is genuinely fascinating because they are an open-minded team, and their thoughts align somewhat with mine, making communication and collaboration easy. I envision my future role to be a combination of my current responsibilities and some counseling tasks since we often need to explain and share our thoughts with clarity when handling a task.