Month: March 2024

A crucial part of all schools is teamwork, which is tested and presented in many ways. Most places will have group projects like PowerPoints and experiments, but PLP is on a whole other level, as they use the most team-reliant type of project, Destination Imagination (DI)! DI is a school-wide event, where people attend a school to witness their families and friends compete for first. There are 4 different challenge topics: Technical, Engineering, Scientific & Fine Arts, each getting a new challenge every year. This year, it was my first year in DI, and I got placed in the technical challenge this year – Pinball Hero! In Pinball Hero’s, each group has to create a working pinball machine, with 3 or more modules. The pinball has to complete one full pinball round where the size three soccer ball interacts with every module to get any points. And this year, we had to make it themed around an action/adventure movie. But, you’re not here to read paragraphs on the rules and regulations, so let me indulge you in the absolutely crazy process of making a pinball machine.

When it was first announced in early January, my mind instantly started brainstorming ideas for potential ideas. I was working on some plans when we were assigned our groups and challenges, and as soon as we did, my group started collaborating. It turned out that I wasn’t the only one with ideas, because our conversations were full of cool and crazy thoughts for modules, art and the story. We bounced things around but eventually ended up with the story idea of Mario. It was a classic, and everyone in my group was familiar with it, so it seemed like the perfect idea. Once we had the basics of the plan, we split up into 2 groups; one from the machine, and the other for the story. 

Jannik, Logan and I worked on the story and script while Magnus and Charlie worked on the actual machine. We stuck to the original elements and stories in Mario but added our twists to it.  We had fun creating it, reminiscing on the joy that Mario brings us, and focusing on the specific ideas we think would fit best. Then, once we had the story, I created the script to bring our story to life. While we did that, our 2 grade 10’s (Charlie and Magnus), worked diligently on the machine and the modules. We all communicated throughout the entire thing, to make sure the story matched the machine and vice versa. Everything and everyone was great and on the same page completely, until the semester change. During February, my group lost touch. We all had conflicting schedules, never agreeing on times to meet up, and having to do all our tasks on our own. I spent that time collecting my costume and making all the necessary props we agreed upon. 

I made fireballs out of whiffle balls, mystery boxes with cardboard, and fire flowers with both. It was stressful enough working together every day in Maker, but not meeting up added a whole new layer of anxiety. But finally, everyone’s schedules cleared up, and we started working again. The 10’s built and assembled the machine, while the rest of us started to paint it, adding more of the Mario feel to it. Before we even knew it, it was March 2nd, Destination Imagination Day! The day was eventful, to say the least. We all met at 8:30 am in our practice rooms and started rehearsing immediately. Hours and hours we practiced, trying to make sure everything was perfect for our 12:45 pm presentation time. In between we had our instant challenge, then lunch, and the next thing we knew, it was time! We grabbed our props, sign, and machine and headed onto the stage.

The presentation went well! We all remember our lines, acted to the best of our abilities, and completed a pinball round. Our group was sure we snatched a place on the podium, but when we talked to the appraisers, that idea was quickly dismissed. Because of some technical problems and actions, we placed last, and I was furious. How dare I put 3 months of hard work into it, just to end up at the bottom?! I didn’t understand, but I kept my anger inside as I congratulated the groups that won. I realized that my group has many things to improve from the art of the machine to the modules themselves. After the day was over, went home and started again from square one, thinking of new ideas to make sure we secure a podium spot for next time. We may have not won, or come close in any way, but we all learned the hard way, that if you want to win, then you need more than a half-finished product and a dream. So until the next teams, may the best and most improved machine win.

If you could create any random animal hybrid, what would you make? I ask this of you, because our most recent project, ‘Rise of the Frankenstuffies’, we all had to use our imagination and semi successful sewing skills to build the hybrid of our dreams. 

We were first approached with the project in the beginning of February right after semester change. We were told to bring old stuffed animals that were ready to be repurposed and destroyed in the name of art. We were given free rein to pick and choose whatever materials we wanted to use for our creations. After scavenging around different tables for stray parts, I found a frog head, lamb body and ears, cat tail, and leopard legs. It was a mishmash of different textures and colors, but somehow it all seemed to come together in a weirdly cohesive way. Over the next two days, I spent every spare moment working on my creation. Sewing, stuffing, and stitching until my fingers were sore and slightly bleeding. But the result was worth it.

Process of Creating Leonid

After the assembling of our stuffies, we moved into 2 separate things at once. We were first given a book to read called “Levithan” by Scott Westerfield. This book was about an alternate world in the midst of war, where there were genetically engineered creatures called ‘Darwinist Beasties’. The creatures in the book were a mix of different animals, just like my creation. At the same time, we were tasked with creating a Hero’s Journey diagram for our stuffies. We had to break down their story into seven different sections, and describe our strange friend. It was a challenging task, but I dove in with enthusiasm. I wrote the entirety of Leonid’s story, bringing him to life with every detail. The combination of reading “Leviathan”, creating my Frankenstuffie, and mapping out his Hero’s Journey had opened up a whole new level of thinking for me, showing me how anything can spark creativity.

Once we our entire story, we had to choose one part to present in our film. I choose 3 parts and simplified them to the length of one, and it was no easy task let me tell you that. I love writing, I do it all the time in and out of school, but having full creative liberties on an assignment can cause writers block for me. So while everyone was writing, I was still plotting the perfect way to share Leonids story, and once I found it, everything fell into place. Words spewing from my brain onto the page instantly, and before I knew it, I arrived at the last part of the entire thing; the video.

This process was the most infuriating and difficult part by far. I realized some of the parts that I wrote about were going to be difficult, so I had to simplify even more while still portraying my story. Once I had my new final draft, I started gathering background photos for editing. But, I couldn’t find any, so I decided it would be more unique if I drew it all by hand. It took me hours and hours of drawing, erasing, redrawing and animating, but I finished it just in the nick of time. Before I handed it it, I added some sound effects and video effects to spice things up, then sent it in!

“How do we as writers make our message clear and engaging to an audience?”This is the driving question, the bigger question around the entirety of this project. The main focus is on how writers can make their message clear and engaging to an audience. The writer suggests drawing inspiration from various sources, incorporating elements that resonate with the audience, and utilizing creative storytelling techniques to make the message more captivating. By being creative, persistent, and innovative, writers can effectively communicate their message and capture the attention of their readers or viewers.

In conclusion, the ‘Rise of the Frankenstuffies’ project pushed me to think outside the box and get creative with my storytelling. From creating my own hybrid stuffed animal to mapping out its Hero’s Journey and bringing it to life in a short film, every step of the process was a challenge that ultimately led to a satisfying result. By immersing myself in the world of ‘Leviathan’ and drawing inspiration from various sources, I was able to craft a story that was engaging and unique. This project taught me the importance of perseverance and innovation in writing, as well as the power of storytelling to captivate an audience. Who knows what odd creature I may create next, but one thing is for sure – the journey of creating it will be just as exciting and rewarding as this one.

Now you, my amazing viewers and teacher, I would like your feedback on my video. After watching my film, click this link, and it will take you to a padlet. There you can give me feedback alongside comments for me to take into consideration. Thank you very much, I’ll see you next blogpost!

Rise of the Frankenstuffies Padlet