Entry To Collaboration.

Thinking about the idea for the final major project and developing the Time Train VR (Virtual Reality application I am working on) concept included a lot of brainstorming, research, and reflection on the overall theme but also on its single elements. It also pushed me to write down the list of roles required for that project. That means that I had to think of necessary roles for the project to be professionally managed with all essential tasks completed. Effectively, that will lead to having the final product ready on time.

As per the brief I am responding to, this project is collaborative. That equals adding extra people to work with me on the Time Train. Role creation followed by assigning them to specific people would then be a field to work on the Time Train as a group. Since the Time Train is my concept and I have a general idea of how I want it to look and work, I will be the lead of the project (it might also be necessary since building this VR experience is not only a personal challenge, but it is a marked work completing my VR course). I am the person that presents the idea to the potential collaborators, works with them but also, I oversee the admin side of the project, making sure the deadlines are met etc.

When I first heard that my final major must be a collaborative project, I was a bit worried – I am still a bit anxious since putting myself out there and reaching people I want to collaborate with, or they may want to work with me is way beyond my comfort zone. I do not feel comfortable preaching my ideas to people, not to mention searching for people I would have to encourage to want to be engaged in developing my idea. At the same I like working with people and think that group work, even though it has its challenges, can bring amazing results.

The collaboration I need to set can be with other students, specialists, or professionals from the field. Since I am not a typical student and my story at LCC (London College of Communication) started with the covid-9 pandemic and a pregnancy, I do not have that many connections within university (when compared to my colleagues from the VR course).

I, however, thought of and invited to a collaboration several inspiring people from my local community and other social circles. Most of them are women and collaborating with them relates greatly to empowering women in the tech-creative industry. Some of the creators I asked to consider working on the Time Train are in a process of finding and defining themselves after a career change and/or starting a family, others are taking first steps in the creative industry (or starting a new job in general).

Empowerment, community, knowledge exchange and VR beyond the entertainment industry are amongst the core values and pillars of the Time Train project.

Presented below is the list of the roles and (possible) assignees of those roles.

1. Director/Project Manager: Kamila Michalak 
2. Environment Designer: Kamila Michalak 
3. Narrative/Story: Ladka Abdennour 
4. Character and Concept Art: Kamila Michalak, Vanessa Brightwell tbc 
5. 3D Modeler: Kamila Michalak, + 
6. VR Tech Support: Kamila Michalak, Max Harrison tbc 
7. UI Designer: Game Design Specialist/Student ? 
8. Sound Design: Sound Design Specialist/Student ? Zed Well tbc 
9. Filmmaking support: Filmmaking Specialist/Student ?