Month 2: The Happiest International Student in Melbourne

My documentary assignment, The Happiest Tram Driver: Extra Time, is in production during these two months. 

Therefore, in August, we were very busy on three assignments. First of all, in the assignment of class Writing with the Camera, we have to shoot 8 shots, including zooming and wide angle, edit shots in two sequences of Premiere Pro, and conduct a critical written document to explain shots how we did, what mistakes we made, and how to improve it next time.

Next, in The Writers Room class, we need to personally submit an episodic story discussed by our own group, Married Couple. 

It is not difficult to come up with the story plot, but it suffers during the group discussion. Our team members, Patricia, Anusha, and Sarah have good communication skills to guide us in the right direction of this story. Additionally, Parsa and Jason contribute many interesting ideas to make the story fun and dramatic. We completed the whole story structure earlier than the other team. 

The Vlogs of our two tough classes

The last one is the Documentary class. Jason, Janice, and Sanjeev joined my team to cooperate on interviewing our subject, the Happiest Tram Driver in Melbourne, Bruce. 

There is a lot of shooting equipment we have to use in the interview.

We filmed the interview on Aug. 14 since there was a mid-break week from Aug. 10 to 19. The interview location is a Tram Cafe near the CBD. Our four members coworked well and took a good frame with clear interviewee's audio. 

The more difficult part is the written document for the documentary's proposal and treatment. It is submitted by individuals. The format is so complicated. We will take our time in the following weeks.

Along with Shekhar's documentary production, Nav, we went to Geelong, where the subject lives, far away from the city. We spent almost three hours there because of the metro lockdown.

Shekhar's team is very professional, and it took them a long time to set up the light. We stayed there until 10:00 p.m., and it was almost exhausting.

In August, Shekhar, Quang, and I also went to the location scouting for wedding shootings, where we visited many places, such as Royal Botanical Garden, Yarra River, Parliament, Carlton Garden, Fitzroy Garden, Chanel Street, and Hosair Lane.

Afterward, we coworked on a wedding ceremony and two dance events, which are a DJ nightclub and an Indian club.

Watch the movie "Wake Up" at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2024

During the mid-break week, I got some interview invitations, such as one for a full-stack developer position, not related to my current major, filming or directing. It is still in the process, but I prefer to find a film production job in Melbourne because I already have one remote job teaching Taiwanese students programming. 

Many students at Deakin, including my classmates, are eager to get part-time jobs here, no matter if they relate to film or not. I would say that it is expensive cost on what kind of experience you get in your studenthood. If you decide to work as a service worker in the restaurant, you will master it in the future. It turned me into a woman sending me a message on LinkedIn, who is going to be an overseas volunteer. 

She was considering if it was a risk to take the overseas volunteer position for one year and wanted to know why and how my past experience working as an overseas IT volunteer in St. Kitts and Nevis. The conclusion is that what kind of decision is worthy of your life depends on the individual. Some people, like me, have skills in remote working and multitasking, but some people prefer to work in person without other ways to make money. 

"Humans living in the world are always taking risks. Happy living in your comfort zone, or struggling and growing in the unknown."

I said it is up to you. No one can give you advice.

Even though I booked an online appointment with Kevin, who is trying to help students and freshmen consider some advice in their careers, I know that it is a connection, not an instruction for my future.

Like why I took a part-time job to teach Mandarin in primary school here, it is because I want to improve my communication with multi-languages, interaction, and observation with children or students, which will help me direct young actors in the future. It is a connection. By the way, before taking the role, I obtained my Working with Children Check certificate and a Full Driver's License.

Agile methodology focuses on strong team connections, such as empathy, understanding, safety, and team agreement. I know it is hard, but it is the right thing to do.

AgileAus event on Aug. 13

Let's continue to work on assignments!