Here is the link to my video

For my final assessment, the hyperobject I eventually settled with was Invasive species with a focus on three species; feral cats, cane toads and the crown of thorns starfish. When I originally planned my idea, I wanted to focus on only feral cats—distinguishing between the perceived ‘meme’ like view of cats against the reality feral cats have upon the environment and native species. However, with the feedback I received, I decided to broaden my scope to three species instead. I chose these three because I think they cover the overall spectrum of how far invasive species can reach; Land, riverside and ocean. This helped me in the long run in collecting footage and conveying my message in the harm done to the environment. As Duvall explains it, the goal of films that deal with topics of animals and the environment, the audience needs to be confronted directly with the damage that has been caused by humanity in both the smaller and large scale. (Duvall, 2017) I wanted my video to ask questions about their connection to the issue of invasive species and the impact of introducing these species and wrought on the environment.

My video depicts these three animals in two lights, showing footage of these animals as harmless and not doing anything to prompt concern, as many people can view them. However, I go on to display images and footage of the destruction of the environment and the deaths of the native species as a result of their invasion. As Nurmi’s states, it is essential when creating climate media to engage with people’s emotions and attitudes in regards to the issue to incite change for the better. (Nurmis, 2016) Instead of using split screens like I originally intended, I decided to use overlaying footage, primarily when showing photos and environments so to keep everything related to one another and demonstrate how no matter where you go, these species and their damage are always there and always continuing around us.

My three constraints for my assessment were no music, no voiceover or human voices, and no footage intended for commercial and corporate use. I also wanted to avoid using statistics to convey the issue as it would have been jarring to the tone of my film. Henricks also points out that statics and facts given the wrong way are more likely to distance certain viewers rather than help. (Henricks, 2017) So, to strengthen the contrast between the types of footage, I used text to directly ask the audience if they reckon that these seemingly harmless animals aren’t a danger to the native wildlife across the country. Due to the generally disturbing content of my topic, overall relating to the deaths of animals, I took advice from my studio leader and included a content warning. This also served well to inform the audience of the severe topic being discussed, that this is a topic that needs to be addressed. I’m aware this can isolate some viewers, but it is necessary to address the issue.

I initially struggled with sound as I have always relied on using voiceover or music to help with editing and timing as well as helping to guide the footage I chose. But having to rely on diegetic sounds like nature ambience and the sound of the ocean was a challenge. I used a loud, steady heartbeat throughout the video to emphasise the tension, implying this idea that the land and its creatures are all living and all feeling the impact of these species, how humankind will also handle these effects in the long run.
Overall I am pleased with my piece and believe it conveys the message I wanted well. I look forward to others viewing it and hope it leaves an impact on them as much as it did for me when learning about the topic to create it.

References
Duvall, JA 2017, ‘Chapter 9: Animals and Extinction’, The Environmental Documentary: Cinema Activism in the 21st Century, Bloomsbury Academic & Professional, New York, p. 231-256.
Nurmis, J. (2016). Visual climate change art 2005-2015: discourse and practice. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 7(4), pp.501–516.
Hendricks, R. (2017). Communicating climate change: Focus on the framing, not just the facts. [online] The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/communicating-climate-change-focus-on-the-framing-not-just-the-facts-73028 [Accessed 30 May 2020].