Project Journal Week 9

After Dr Charlton addressed that the fact the GAQ questionnaire would not a valid method of testing with our investigation, a new testing method needed to be discovered soon. This problem could have a large impact on the investigation as if a valid method could not be found, then any results the team collects could be void, therefore it is highly imperative that the team amends this a.s.a.p.
The majority of the weekend was spent researching various testing methods. This involved reading a large amount of journals and analyzing the methods that they had used for testing. The research covered lots of academic papers including psychology, marketing and film theory. During Saturday the team managed to find the document about Color and Emotion, that discussed and used a testing method known as SAM, which is known as Self Assessment Mannequin. This method measures emotion on a pictorial graph, and was invented by Lang. SAM seemed to be the valid method of measuring emotion that the team needed.

The research still continued to see if the majority of emotion studies used SAM, which again came after many of hours was research. However it was noted that many of these studies also had an additional method such as pupil dilation monitoring or heart rate studies. After Dr Charlton had highlighted the fact that heart rate studying could be a viable option for our testing, it was concluded that this was the best second method.
Once we had identified SAM, the team began investigation in to how to use it for our testing methods. As this was quite a mathematical procedure, it was handled by Nick and Phil, as their general level of maths was much better than myn or Matts. It was soon discovered that SAM focused on Standard Deviation. This followed on to using MS Excel using its STDEV function to work out the results. After the weekend was over the team felt although the research was very difficult and put us under a lot of stress, the final results will benefit greatly from this research. A brief meeting was called between the team members and things continued as usual. This involved the completion of the design document, and preparation of the presentation.Meeting with supervisors (22nd Nov 07) all team members present
There were some major points highlighted in the meeting. The first of these was the fact that the supervisors felt that as a team we were putting too much work into this investigation and were worried about our stress levels and general low morale. This was discussed for the majority of the meeting and the group took note of this point, but we highlighted that this effort was needed in some cases to ensure the project moved along smoothly. For example, if a valid testing method had not been discovered, it could have been disastrous to our investigation.

Another brief meeting was held with Brian Morris after this as the team felt confused with some of the points highlighted. Firstly, there sometimes seems to be contradictory messages from the supervisors, for example they stated in week 6 that the group should do some sort of film analysis to demonstrate our knowledge of Mise-en-Scene, but yet the supervisors suggested it was only a suggestion and could be disregarded. This seems puzzling, in the sense that if the team does not do what the supervisors want, they we could be subsequently marked down.

Overall this week was a very important week for the project. The discussion with the supervisors raised many major points that the team took onboard, as well as having spent a great deal of time researching to ensure the project continues smoothly.

Project Journal Week 8

During this week each member completed the tasks agreed during the end of last week. This meant, as stated previously, that I would be undertaking half of the film analysis and the entire Software Risk Assessment write-up. Analysing the film was a lengthy process but was completed on time in accordance with the project management. The focus of the analysis was on Mise-en-Scene, but more specially, lighting and colour. This is because our final artefact will be based on one or both of these elements. The sequences chosen from the film were the opening scene, the dream sequences and the closing scenes. This is because these segments of the film demonstrate interesting colour and lighting techniques.

Once I had completed this section I began the write up of the Risk Assessment. This entailed detailing each software choice and assessing it in terms of risk to the investigation and artefact creation. As a result the following points were chosen in order to assess the risk.


· Cost
· Artefact focus
· Availability
· Toolset experience
· Loss of time
· Installation

Once both these documents had been completed in draft form, the remaining days of the week were spent refining it by the Editor (Nick). Once the majority of the Design Document was written refined, it was sent to the supervisors to ensure it was along the right lines.


After this meeting, the group decided it would be a good idea to see Dr John Charlton (See team blog for more details). The major point that was realised during this meeting was the fact that the Geneva Appraisal Questionnaire (GAQ) system that the team had planned for testing was not suitable. This was highlighted after a discussion with Dr Charlton who realised that GAQ could not be used in a test as it is mainly used with social interaction.

A team meeting was called to discuss the next plan of action. It was decided that this could mean a potential major change for the testing procedures. If a justified questionnaire relating to colour emotion can found, then the testing phase can contine with no changes. However, if one cannot be found, then a new testing method will need to be thought up.

Project Week 7

11/11/07After the suggestion of taking note of the Scrum video, the team took the best points from it and began implementing them into our project management. Microsoft Project was recommended, and to generate a Gantt chart demonstrating the progression of the project. Using this system, we began sectioning each milestone for each member. It was decided that myself and Matt should take the film analysis part, Phil with project management and Nick the plan of the document. It was then later decided that I would additionally be drafting the Software Rationale and Matt would be doing the data analysis, usability testing and questionnaires. Although some team members appear to be undertaking more tasks than others, the initial plan had demonstrated what each section entitled, therefore balancing the workload.

Over the weekend it was decided that each member should complete their designated task in draft form for Monday 12th November. Matt decided to analyze the film Hero(2003), directed by Zhang Yimou. This movie was suggested by the supervisors for its interesting use of colour.
I decided to analyse the movie Gladitor(2000) , which was directed by Ridley Scott. The film had some very interesting techniques regarding colour and lighting, particularly in the dream sequences from the main protagonist, Maximus. To fully understand lighting and colour, myself and Matt decided to get the book, The Visual Story, by Bruce Block. We had previously read the book and made general notes on the lighting and colour, but to fully understand them a deeper analysis was required.

Project Journal Week 6

During this week the team revised the deliverable documents, which was a rather lengthy process. We managed to deliver them on time and were satisfied with the standard that was held, therefore after speaking to the supervisors on many occasions and showing them our work, we hope to be on for a good grade.

The meeting with the supervisors on Thursday focused on a variety of things, the main point being the next milestone on the 30th of November. The supervisors gave us some items to help with our investigation. One of these was the use of Google Docs, which would allow users to upload a document onto the internet so that it could be simultaneously refined. As a result of this, each member of the group has created a Google Mail account and set up Google Docs.

Another aspect that the supervisors highlighted was about project management. They suggested that the team watch a SCRUM video, which is focused on Agile Software Development. This would allow the team to plan a very detailed schedule of our investigation and help the work-flow. The final point that was raised, was for the team to perhaps analyse a film to demonstrate their knowledge of Mise-en-scene.

After the meeting we discussed the next plan of action and what roles each individual team member should be doing. It was decided that Nick and Phil will be doing the project management at first, and me and Matt will look into film analysis. Overall the project this week had been slowed down due to other pieces of coursework having to be handed in, but this was accepted by the supervisors . After the other coursework piece had been completed, the progression of the investigation took importance again.