JUDGE CLAUDE FROLLO: “What was the most challenging Stanza of this season? Answer now or face the fire!”
This may start to sound like a broken record, but it did have to be Ikspiari. I hadn't even heard of this location before, let alone Tokyo Disneyland had a shopping complex, but that might be because I generally focus on the parks and not the hotels, shopping areas, etc. While creating a shopping centre in the design of Kingdom Hearts was wonderful, I did feel the stanza had one too many ideas, everyone was bickering, and not deciding on what the final design would be. Thus, we went with every idea and turned the complex almost into a new park. I am proud of what me made though. I did struggle with other stanzas like Inventus (being a park I had no prior knowledge of), and the flat ride felt a little too small as project.
TOAD’S JUDGE: “Is it true that you developed new Imagineering skills during the season? What were they, guv’nah, and were they worthwhile to learn? Thank you, that is all!”
I was certainly exposed to new types of presentation during this competition, including the use of video, flipbooks (!), viral marketing, and all of them were quite creative and well-made. Personally speaking, I learnt to think outside the box a bit more, being more vocal in my opinions and suggestions, which can be difficult when you are a quiet person in a team with a lot of more forward and imaginative people. But, it is better to try then not at all. I have struggled a bit with certain stanzas and methods used in this comp. The fact that I am several timezones and hours ahead did make it tricky to keep track of ideas or give comments, or found the idea had been cemented before even knowing it existed. That did happen in one stanza, though I don't recall which one. Anyhoo, I did learn to use Google Slides for the first time to create the presentation for Holiday World, one which I particularly enjoyed imagineering. This competition has offered a lot of different competitions, designing toilets, viral campaigns, restaurants, malls, HHN, and in parks I had never considered or knew existed. Now all we need is a parade (hint hint). Future rounds and competitions will help me to further come out of my shell and take on new creative hurdles. That is all, thank you!
JUDGE DOOM: “How else have you improved as an Imagineer? Have you tried at all to rein in the insanity?”
Insanity is a good thing, means you are more creative, spontaneous, and open to unexpected encounters and ideas. I believe I have contributed in every stanza to the best of my abilities, even if I have found some stressful or being pulled out of my comfort zone, but managed to find enjoyment in some. Admittedly, perhaps the Other Parks stanza threw me off the most, due to changing the teams, and working on a park I had never heard of! I am glad I chose Holiday World as my park to work on, as it was highly enjoyable, and seeing the charming work by the other teams was equally fun. As said before, I have experienced new areas of imagineering I would not normally tread into (designing toilets, shopping malls, etc.), and strived to embrace them and give them a go. My best skill is writing, and it has helped me a lot during these stanzas.
JUDGE CLAUDE FROLLO: “Any additional thoughts before we pass your sentence?”
As with everyone else, this competition has been extremely enjoyable despite the ups and downs, and I thank our three hosts/judges/villains for their time and hospitability (that's the ability to put us in hospital with their wicked ways).
