Week 12 (tri 2) - Free Writing & Reflections

Today we all sat down and reflected on our work in a form of free freewriting. We sat down for few hours or so and let everything out. It was an enjoyable process!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtIyR9h3t2g

Project Reflection

In my project, I aimed to explore my deeply personal connection to the video game Final Fantasy XIV during the early COVID era. I wanted not only to capture the unique mood of that time, but also to reflect on my own experiences - my journey, my emotions, and the process of healing. At its core, this project was about me - my story and how I chose to tell it. I wanted to draw people into that story, to create something immersive and intimate. My experience during COVID might differ from others, but one thing we all share is the undeniable hardship the pandemic brought into our lives. As people, we each find different ways to cope, to survive, and sometimes even thrive in the face of the unknown.

In the video essay, I focused on the solace I found in the digital world of Final Fantasy XIV and the meaningful relationships I built within that space. I walked the viewer through my personal journey in the game, reflecting on what those moments meant to me then, and what they continue to mean now. I voiced the entire essay and supported it with visual elements, including in game footage and a collection of screenshots spanning several years, which I found on old drives. These images weren’t just nostalgic - they were emotional signposts that helped piece together a narrative of comfort, connection, and growth. Through the combination of spoken word, gameplay footage, and these memories, I hoped to create something deeply personal, grounded in honesty and emotional truth.

I stepped out of my comfort zone in terms of video editing. This was one of the first times I worked with video on a larger scale, and while it was daunting at first, it became a meaningful part of the creative process. Recording the voiceover was especially challenging. I struggled with finding the right tone, wanting it to feel honest, soft, and kind without sounding overly polished or forced. I'm proud that I pushed through that discomfort. While the final product may not be technically perfect, I think it carries a certain charm and sincerity that fits the story I was telling. I structured the essay to follow a linear path - beginning with an introduction, then setting the historical and personal context, before gradually moving through past experiences to where I am now.

One area where I felt I fell short was the captions. If I had more time, I would’ve revisited the editing process with more attention to detail - adding polish where it was needed, and ensuring the title had the intended overlay effect. Only after the exhibition did I notice a few minor mistakes in the captions, but thankfully no one else seemed to notice. In hindsight, I’m grateful for that, and I’ve learned a lot from those little imperfections.

Reflecting on the Exhibition

Putting my work on display to the public was, honestly, a nerve wracking experience. I wasn’t sure how people would respond, or if my story would resonate with anyone. But to my surprise, and relief, I was proven wrong. Many people came up to me afterward and said how much they enjoyed the video, how it made them think or feel something. That meant the world to me. Sharing something so vulnerable and personal was terrifying, but it was also incredibly rewarding.

Organizing a group show came with its own set of challenges. As a bit of a perfectionist, I always want everything to go exactly according to plan - but in reality, coordinating multiple people under a tight deadline is never that simple. Despite the stress, everything came together in the end. Everyone seemed satisfied with their work, and our guests seemed genuinely engaged and impressed. So I suppose, as the saying goes, all’s well that ends well.

Despite the hard work and moments of anxiety, I genuinely enjoyed the exhibition. It gave me the opportunity to connect with others and share a deeply personal story. There was a real sense of joy and satisfaction in watching all of our projects come together, side by side.

Reflecting on My Favourite Elements of This Module

One of my favourite parts of this module was creating the soundscape and combining it with my abstract images. I’ve always loved abstract photography, it’s a medium I naturally gravitate toward, but making my own sounds and music was entirely new to me. I was completely out of my depth, a fish out of water, but I’m proud that I embraced the challenge. It was especially funny when I accidentally left the sound of dogs barking for far too long in one segment, yet somehow, it gave the piece unexpected charm and gave everyone in class a good laugh.

As for the photography, I felt like I really got to play again. I was proud of how the images turned out, especially the subtle image merging in the background that included a werewolf. It was a fun little experiment that brought me a lot of joy.

What I took away from this process is that I should never be afraid to try something new. I’ve always enjoyed pushing myself creatively, and this module reminded me of Bob Ross’s words: "There are no mistakes, just happy accidents." Art is about exploration, expression, and a bit of chaos - and this project was a perfect reminder of that.

Reflecting on My Work

For my research, I primarily looked inward. I revisited years of screenshots, conversations, and digital archives - things I had long since buried or forgotten. It was like stepping into a time capsule. The process brought back waves of emotion and made me reflect on how much that era shaped me. I didn’t realize until I started digging just how emotionally tied I was to that specific time.

In terms of form and content, I intentionally chose to keep things informal. The video wasn’t just a presentation, it was a personal story. I wanted viewers to experience it intimately, which is why I set up headphones for listening during the exhibition. I wanted people to feel like they were stepping into a private moment with me.

Working on this project was an emotional journey. It felt like writing a love letter to a past version of myself - a self who was uncertain, scared, but also quietly resilient. There was a vulnerability in revisiting that time, but also a sense of peace. I think the emotional responses I had during the process were telling me something important: that I needed to revisit that period in order to truly move forward. In many ways, this project helped me close a chapter I didn’t realise was still open.

Reflecting on My Work in Terms of Personal Growth

What I find personally fulfilling about engaging in my creative practice is the freedom to express parts of myself that are hard to put into words. It’s a way to process my experiences and emotions, and to make something meaningful from them. That’s what creativity means to me - translating emotion into form.

I define creativity as a process of emotional and intellectual exploration. It’s about making sense of the world, but also about celebrating the parts of it that don’t make sense at all. It’s messy, unpredictable, and deeply personal. In comparison to where I was at the beginning of this module, I feel like I’ve grown - not just technically, but emotionally and intellectually as well. I’ve become more confident in my voice, more open to experimentation, and more willing to let go of perfection.

My thoughts about creativity and being creative have evolved. I used to think creativity was about making something impressive or "good." Now, I see it as a process of truth telling and vulnerability. It’s not about polish - it’s about honesty.