And the winner is...

This week, we have had a film project at school, which we had to show today. The best video would win a prize. We were divided into groups, and each group had to make a 5-7 minute video about a subject we picked ourselves. It could be an informative campaign, an advertisement or an "a day in the life of" video. My group chose advertisement. We then had to pick what kind of advertisement we wanted to make. We picked the only correct thing to make - a spoof of a 90s era tv shop advertisement. We then had to figure out what we had to sell. The advertisement was meant to be targeted towards truckers, so we decided to do an advertisement for ratchets and straps. Then we needed a name. Here's where my brilliance came in.. "Why not name it Strap-On?". The other people in my group looked at me and went "YES! Brilliant!". So we got to work with a storyboard. I was in charge of writing and filming, while another one was in charge of editing and one was in charge of doing some voice over work. Out fourth man in the group wasn't fairly active, but it was fine. He had some stuff going on, so his mind was somewhere else. He did help with setting up shots, so he did contribute something.

Then it was time for filming. Tuesday was spent getting b roll footage, and Wednesday was the big day, where lines were to be said, and where I was going to do my first ever stunt. The majority of filming took about three hours to film, so we had plenty of time to edit and write. But what about the stunt? Well, it was glorious! The plan was to have a metal hook thrown at me, but not really hitting me. I then had to sell being hit, while a sound effect was playing, but when it was time to shoot it, I thought "Nah, that seems a bit too no-no. Let me just be pelted with straps". That was my stunt, and I nailed it! Anyway.. Thursday was spent getting an interview shot, with one of the teachers, playing the part of a trucker. I told him to improvise his lines, so it would flow naturally. Fifteen minutes later, everything was shot. I then sent the files over to the editor, and he went to work putting it all together, and making it look fantastic. At around 4 pm yesterday, we got our first rough cut - and it was fantastic! It was the proper 90s feel, and it really felt like we were watching something made back then. By 3 am, the video was complete. I watched it this morning, and I couldn't stop laughing.

It had a 90s filter on it, so it looked like VHS quality, and the entire video just had a nice flow to it. Then it was time for the premiere of the videos we all made. Group 1 made a video called Trucker Life, and it was about what a trucker did. There was also an interview with a trucker, where a student from my class played the trucker. Group 2 was my group. Group 3 made a video about the importance of having the correct safety gear. Group 4 was absent, and group 5 made a video about the school. It was fairly well made, and it was by far our toughest competition. Group 6 made a video about a company, where they also had an interview with a trucker. All in all, great videos.

Then it was time for a vote, and then the winner would be named.

5th place, with 1 vote: Group 6
4th place with 2 votes: Group 1
3rd place, with 6 votes: Group 3

It was then, where I thought "Can we really win this?"

I was about to find out. Only one vote separated 1st from 2nd.

In 2nd place, with 8 votes: Group 5

Which means, ladies and gentlemen, that group 2, my group.. The strap-on advertisement WON! The prize was our own safety vest, a pair of gloves, an air freshener for a car, a bag of candy and an ice scraper. Quite a good way to start your week off!