| LOCATION SCOUTING 1 |

 

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✥ A VISIT TO RMIT: OVERVIEW

RMIT University in HCMC, Vietnam is an institution that offers a comprehensive and enriching academic experience. The campus is well-equipped with sophisticated facilities that cater to the diverse needs of students from various backgrounds. The faculty members are highly qualified and possess extensive experience in their respective fields, making them well-suited to impart knowledge and skills to the student body.

A distinguishing feature of RMIT University is the emphasis on practical learning. The institution maintains a strong focus on industry engagement, which provides students with opportunities to work on authentic projects and gain hands-on experience in their chosen field. This approach not only enhances students' practical skills but also prepares them for the workforce, equipping them with the tools to succeed in their careers.

RMIT University's student community is diverse, attracting individuals from all parts of the globe. This creates an inclusive, multicultural environment that fosters a spirit of collaboration and cross-cultural exchange. This dynamic atmosphere not only enriches the learning experience but also helps students to cultivate a global perspective.

✥ LOCATION SCOUTING

    Practicalities of reaching and accessing. 

To reach RMIT University in South Saigon, one needs to consider the practicalities of reaching and accessing the location. The university is located in the district 7, which is fairly far from many parts of the city. According to Google Maps calculation, for me, it takes around 34 minutes to cover the 11km journey. One can choose to travel by motorcycle or car, but either way, it is a long journey that can cost a lot of time. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead and make sure to finish any business there efficiently. It is also important to consider the possibility of emergencies and plan accordingly.

Once one arrives at RMIT, the next challenge is finding a place to park. The university has limited parking spaces, and the demand for them can be high. This is especially true during peak hours when many students and faculty members are on campus. As a result, finding a parking spot can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Another practical consideration when it comes to accessing RMIT is the distance between buildings on campus. The university has multiple buildings spread out over a large area. This can make it difficult for students and faculty members to move between classes or appointments quickly, especially if they have limited mobility. This university is not open for strangers, to enter, we are required for a special card - which can be a big problem.

The solution for that is we have helpers! Both Zoe and I know someone in RMIT, in my case, it's my talented cousin - as after asking out, they allowed us to borrow their cards and agreed on helping us navigate the school while also negotiating with the school's principal about us filming there. We soon realized that RMIT has a form to fill out if we are asking to film there. Overall, we gained massive support from loved ones on this Media journey.

    Suitability.

We in fact takes a lot of picture here for the flashback, in case one doesn't work we have a backup place. From the stadium to the hallway, from the stairway to the outside. One thing we can't help but notice is that the place is extremely huge - I can not imagine if I was lost here, how long it took for me to actually find a way out!

Back to the Media work, the scene where Emma first meets Kreachers will originally take place in the sports hall. However, after some consideration, we decided that we better have some backup in case there's a match and we fail to film it. That can be either in the hallway or, outside. The reason why I did that was rarely simple: when planning out more than one location for each scene, it is important to consider the practicalities and logistics of each location. 

First, identify the key elements that make a location suitable for the scene, such as lighting, background, or ambiance. Then, research and scout multiple locations that meet these criteria. For example, what happens if, on the shooting day, the sky cries instead of shining bright? In this case, is the outside and the sports hall where under the sun are when they are the most beautiful. 

During filming, it is important to have a clear understanding of the shots that will be captured at each location and how they will fit into the overall storyboard. Finally, be prepared to adjust the plan as needed based on factors such as weather, unexpected events, or changes in the creative vision.

 

    Creative Alteration.

As I gaze upon the magnificent red staircase and the adjacent winding path, my imagination is ignited with excitement at the idea of including them in a scene. The bold hue of the staircase, juxtaposed with the curving path, creates a visually striking setting that would undoubtedly enhance any creative work. In my mind's eye, I envision two characters having a poignant interaction on this very spot. One stands resolutely on the narrow corridor, while the other confidently ascends the red staircase. Despite the intense connection between them, the female lead keeps walking, paying no heed to the longing gaze of the other. Their paths may diverge, but this moment will forever be etched in the male lead's memories as a symbol of their future bond.

The art hallway is also very artistic to start with! The picture was taken by a phone, but the lightning there was so good that no further edits were needed. I was thinking of moving one of our primary scenes to this place, however, the idea has not yet formed fully. 

✥ RECONNAISSANCE

As I mentioned before, the weather could be an element key for our project as the sports hall key light is from the sun - so if none appears on the day of shooting, we will be in trouble as the scene will not have that typical falling-in-love / flashback feeling. For instance, one popular high-school movie where the scene depicts the protagonists falling in love is "The Fault in Our Stars." In this particular scene, the two main characters, Hazel and Gus, are seen having a picnic on a blanket in a beautiful park, surrounded by lush greenery and a stunning sunset in the background. The lighting effect used here is warm and soft, which adds to the romantic ambiance of the scene. The natural setting provides a sense of serenity and peace, which is a stark contrast to the chaos and uncertainty of their lives. The use of natural lighting in this scene adds to the authenticity of their love story and the beautiful backdrop creates an unforgettable moment for the audience. 

For the special time, we tend to have our cup of tea by the very early morning, or just after the sun is gone for the beach scene - therefore we had to have everything set up to ready-to-shot for just the right moment. As we soon later realize natural light will not be enough for showing off the scene, we definitely have to get there way earlier than we expect. Which, will be rough for every one of us.

       Supply access

List of food and drink at Saigon South Campus 

The university has a wide range of food options available, from local Vietnamese cuisine to international dishes, and they are all freshly prepared on-site. In addition, there are several cafes and convenience stores located throughout the campus where visitors can purchase drinks and snacks. This eliminates the need for us to bring their own food and drink, making our visit more convenient and hassle-free. Of course, to eat here, we need plenty of money. 

    Medical Access

On campus, there's one support center where easy-to-medium injuries can be cured with modern medication and up-to-date methods of treatment. With clear instructions and phone numbers, we believe reaching them is not a challenge. 

However, in the case where this Center only accepts its students, we extended our search to the surrounding area. There are five popping up immediately, the closest one being Saigon South International General Hospital which only takes 6 minutes. Last but not least, the toll plaza they mention here has already closed, so the actual time might be shorter.

For electric problems, RMIT has its own hotline to call if there is a situation where the electricity goes out - so really this is not what we worried about a lot. 

───── ❝ dox.xela ❞ ─────