Our Presentation

Final Edit

After we had finished editing we had a short tutorial with Anne so she could look over our work and tell us how to improve. She told us that she was not sure about the questions on-screen over the blurred images and she was worried that having myself and TJ both as characters searching for the cat could be confusing and unnecessary. She felt that the interviews were too long and seemed like a big block in the documentary, which we all agreed, and that there was not enough presence of the cat. As our tutorial was on Friday and hand in was on Monday I started to feel quite pressured for time and knew we had to think of a new structure to the film as quickly as possible. I quickly thought up a new structure to the film so that the scenes would make more sense blending into each other and their could be more presence of the cat. Firstly I completely deleted the questions from the vox pops and removed the question 'Have you heard of the campus cat. I deleted the typography because I agreed that the questions over the blurred background looked unpolished and I realised that they were not necessary, and I deleted the question because the answers alone made no sense. I also reorganised the order the answers were in so that the names people had for the cat were said at the end of this scene. When people start saying 'campus cat' I thought it brought all the answers together and made it obvious what they were talking about. I kept the screen crackling at the end of the vox pops and the intermission but I realised that the picture that was chosen was a loading screen from the game Fallout 4 and we probably couldn't use that due to copyright so I found a typical intermission screen instead.

New intermission screen

I also removed all footage of my presenting character from the documentary and rewrote the script so a voice over of Callaghan could introduce the film instead in the lead up to the title screen. 

'My name is Jay Callaghan. I've come to the University for the Creative Arts in search of the illusive campus cat. So far all i've gathered is snippets of information from the students like its appearance, but there has to be more to it. i guess i'll start with some interviews then... wonderful.'

I edited the voice over onto shots of the campus to establish the scene and over some shots of Callaghan up against the wall. As he says wonderful the title appears, I thought this made a more interesting introduction to the first edit. After the fade to black the interviews start. I decided to split up the interviews so that they added to and introduced parts of the story, I also cut lots of the interview out as I believed there was too much irrelevant information that didn't help towards the point of the documentary. I started the interviews with Callaghan introducing himself and asking the interviewees if they knew why they were being interviewed, like the original sequence. However I then cut to 'What do you call the cat?' and then talking about the murder to get straight to the point. After talking about the murder I added the scenes where Callaghan is searching online for clues and locating the scene of the crime, I wanted this to come after this part of the interview because the two scenes connected and it was a way to split the interview in half. During the montage scene I added Callaghan's second voice over that was previously on the 360 pan in the first edit. I thought it made the montage more interesting.

Still from the montage scene

I used the second half of the interview, after the montage, to talk about the interviewees connections to the cat, so i could end the film with more presence of the animal rather than focusing on the narrative. The girls say how the cat is a friend and they would like to keep him, which I felt gave more personality to the cat and showed how the cat had obviously became a part of their lives. After the interviews I wanted to talk about how cat people are more open minded and that why they don't mind looking after this cat, and that the cat helped them integrate into their new uni lives. Now that the scene involving me and Callaghan talking about his research was gone I had to write another new voice over for Callaghan.

'From my research I have found that cat people are 11% more open minded than dog people. This understanding helps them to see past the cats greed and wrong doings. the students seem to be using the cat as a way to adjust to the responsibilities of student life and try to keep him around with the bribe of food like a pet. The presence of a pet helps to make the experience much less threatening.'

I added the new voice over with visuals of Callaghan leaning against the wall like in the intro and a video of the cat that Maisie Mok (one of our interviewees) allowed us to use. I did this to show how Callaghan is dedicated to his search and has been thinking of the cat from the start. For the conclusion of the film TJ had the idea to add in people from the vox pops talking about their stories and experiences with the cat. I liked this idea because it rounded off the story talking about the cats personality and its interactions with the students. First we had videos of the students talking with a beeping sound in-between each, like the one from the beginning, quickly cutting between each story. I had the idea to add photos of the cat fading in and out over the top of the students talking so the audience could finally see this cat (Photos also from Maisie Mok) up until the credits which I kept on the briefcase, as I felt the briefcase started the story so it should finish it. I kept the effect of the credits the same with the dissolve peel transition but decided to use the typewriter font as I thought it looked more professional and kept to the film noir theme. during the credits we still had the students talking about their stories. i also added the title at the end of the credits, the visual fades out to leave the title on a black background.

New end credits aesthetic

'The Hunt for the Campus Cat' with background fading 

After the sequence was complete Billie and I decided to colour correct the film to make it more like a film noir. We first went through the clips and darkened them using the brightness tool, we found however that the shadows and colours faded away so we raised the contrast which brought them back. I then went through the video and added a blue tone to each of the shots to give it a cooler tone and to make the shadows slightly darker. I used the colour wheel effect to colour correct as I find it the most useful. I also found a short soundtrack online that we could use for the voice overs to give the documentary that noir film feel. I looked on YouTube and found someone who specifically made a noir film, blues soundtrack which I thought worked perfectly. The music was non-copyright and there was no requirements to use the soundtrack, however I still added the creator's social media in the description of my video when I uploaded it to YouTube. Billie then helped Ade add to the video.

Using the colour wheel to add blue tones

Before and after colour correction

Before and after editing brightness and contrast

Like from Image Factory music video, I made a thumbnail for the film when I upload it onto YouTube. I used a still from the introduction/ title sequence and overplayed the title of the film in the same font I usually use for my YouTube thumbnails.

First Edit

For the first edit we decided to do each scene in chronological order. We decided to start with the vox pops as we thought that would be a nice way to start of the film and show the research that I, as the reporter, had conducted, so I could talk about it in my Introduction to the documentary. I chose to only use 4 of the questions as any more would have been way too many and to quickly cut between them. The questions were:

1.  Are you a dog person or a cat person? 
2. Have you heard of the campus cat? 
3. What does it look like?
4. What do you call it? 

I thought these questions had straight to the point answers as they are quite closed and would be easy to cut quickly. I also thought they were the most important to give the viewer an idea of the film. the first question shows that we are planning to look into the difference between dog and cat people. The second introduces the topic. The third, so we can make a comment that the cat is mysterious and not many people know what it looks like (we were hoping for lots of different answers, which we got) and the fourth to touch on people having a connection to the cat, this is shown by the students naming it. To show the questions, I had the idea to have them written over a blurred shot of the first interviewee to answer the question. For the typography I used the American Typerwriter font as it fit with the noir film theme. We thought it was necessary to use the typography because it was difficult to hear me asking the questions. At the end of the vox pops we wanted the screen the crackle out and jump to an intermission before the presenter introduces the film. So we found a video of a television screen crackling and overlayed it on the last vox pop shot. 

Questions on blurred background

Crackling screen effect on last vox pop

Intermission screen

After the intermission screen I straight cut to the introduction and arrange the shots of myself, as the presenter, in order with a shot of me packing the briefcase with my 'research' while I say 'After gather research from the students' and then fading to black at the end of the scene. The next scene was the title scene with Billie and TJ edited, we followed the storyboard showing myself handing over the briefcase to Detective Callaghan in an alley way. While the shot of the briefcase is on the floor, just before Callaghan picks it up, the title appears in a noir style font just above it. We chose to use a dissolve peel transition to fade the title in and as as we noticed from research it was a commonly used effect. The title fades away as Callaghan takes the handle and walks away with the briefcase. This sequence is cut like a slow paced montage with shots of me entering the scene and standing against the wall with Callaghan, me placing the briefcase beside him, nodding to each other, me walking away, the briefcase on the floor and Callaghan retrieving it, and finally shots of Callaghan walking away. We decided to film a short sequence for the opening title because we felt it introduced the theme of noir film to the documentary. The scene then fades to black.

Opening title 'The Hunt for the Campus Cat'

After the title sequence, We introduced Callaghan talking in a voice over, with visuals of the college campus to establish the setting. We used a voice over as this is a common convention in both noir films and documentaries, I also liked the idea of a voice over instead of the character talking on camera as we had just had the presenter talking and it adds another element to the film. Once again this scene fades out to black. In the script Callaghan ends by saying 'I guess I'll start with some interviews... wonderful' which introduced the next scene. After the fade in we see a girl sitting in a dark room only lit by a practical hanging light above her and a table. For this interview scene we cut between interviews so both of the interviewees looked as if they were answering the same question, although much of the time they were not. We used all of the interview that we shot for both interviewees and wove between. This however made the interviews seems slightly too long. at the end of the interviews Callaghan thanks the participants, they walk away from the table and the screen fades to black.

Screenshot from Sherry Leigh's interview

After the interviews with Sherry and Maisie, the narrative carries on showing Callaghan searching for the crime scene of the pigeon murder. I liked having this scene involved in the film because Callaghan is able to make the point that the students still love this animal, whether its killed something or not. It also adds to the detective theme as it gives us a crime scene to investigate. When the screen fades back in we see a 360 panning shot of the student village from the porters lodge which I edited the last voice over onto, I thought this shot was appropriate because it fills up the entire monologue, is interesting to look at and doesn't take attention away from what is being said. We thought it would look interesting if as the camera pans round the lighting gets darker and darker as if going into night until it eventually fades out. Next I edited a short montage of Callaghan putting his evidence on the cat together on a cork board. I started with a slow paced shot showing Callaghan sitting at his desk the shot pans in from the door and shows the briefcase in plain view opened. I used this shot to start off the scene because it shows the new setting and the open briefcase shows that he has looked through the research I had taken at the beginning of the documentary. After that I edited more faster paced shots of Callaghan sorting through evidence and putting it up on the cork board, I used close ups of the pin board to identify what pictures and notes he was pinning up, and shots of him sorting things on the desk. Much of the desk footage i used was primarily for the sounds, I liked the sounds of him ripping paper and the pen writing because it gave the scene more personality and I thought would make the scene more engaging when the soundtrack was put over top. I wanted to finish the scene with a shot of Callaghan looking at the board and then a slow pan showing the entire board. I used a shot where Callaghan take a drink of whiskey looking towards the board but I didn't think he looked at it for long enough, so I reversed a shot of him, originally, staring at the board and picking up his drink so it could look as if he puts the drink down and continues to stare at the board longer from a long shot. I much preferred this and I don't think it it obvious that the shot is in reverse the shot then fades to black and when the soundtrack it put in that will fade out just after the scene does.

Screen shot of Callaghan pinning a picture up from the montage

As the next scene started with the presenter, I used a jump cut as the presenters roll is perky and less dramatic. We decided to film this entire scene all in one shot like an observational documentary, we thought it would look too staged if we used conventional interview techniques and that was not the look we wanted. So I decided to keep this shot in completely without any cuts until the end when we are kicked out of the office. The scene jumps to a new scene showing the presenter giving a quick conclusion to the film and walking offscreen. I used the walk offscreen to crossfade into the end credits as the shot we used for the credits starts with a pan in and i thought they blended well into each other. The shot I used for the credits was one we filmed specifically for it and it shows a pan over to the briefcase placed on a bench, the screen zooms into the brief case so it fills the screen and the credits are written on the case. Originally we wanted the credits to scroll up the case but I thought this made them look boring and amateur, so I made some new rough credits where the names dissolve peel onto the briefcase like in the title. I also used a font similar to the title typography to connected it to the film. When the music is added it will fade out after the credits do.

Screen shot from the final credits

Last Day Filming

On the final day of filming, Billie and I were the first to arrive so we went to look at office spaces that Anne had helped us to book the night before. We looked at three different spaces and found the one below to be the most appropriate for the scene as it was a real office the only problem was that it was completely bare, so Billie and myself used things from our bags as props like our books, paperwork, cigarettes, pens and random things that could be thrown onto a desk. We also asked TJ to bring some things from his house. We asked for the lamp specifically to light the room with a practical light, like in the interviews.

Before

After

Today we had to film the montage and the final scene where Callaghan reveals what he has found out to me about the cat. We used my research about 'cat people' and worked it into the script  to give a scientific idea as to why some of the students like the cat and some don't. We decided to film this scene as one whole shot starting from me outside the room talking to the camera, walking into the room, talking with Callaghan and us being kicked out of the room. I think this worked well because the idea was to make it look like a live observational scene. We had to film the scene about three times before we got the shot because it was quite long, however only minor things ruined the first two shots. We also filmed a short scene of me concluding the documentary and walking off screen. We filmed me walking off screen, so during post production, I could cross fade this scene into the credit screen. We also filmed a short montage while we were in the office. We was inspired by Edgar Wright's 'Shaun of the Dead' montages while making ours and focused a lot on the sounds during the montage. As the cameraman at the time, I filmed many shots and tried to get as much variety out of the scene as I could. I filmed shots like: the cork board, Callaghan moving the bottle of alcohol, pouring a drink, staring at the board etc. At the end of the day we decided to record TJ's 'Detective Callaghan' voice overs with the microphone attached to the camera because we thought it worked really well and we got a very clear sounding voice with it. overall I thought the day went very successfully and I was glad we finish all our filming on time.

Recording TJ's voice overs

Office Scene Script

*Both sat down at a table in Callaghan’s Office*

Callaghan: “In my opinion the cat does exist, there is no denying that. However I believe that the stories told are exaggerated and warped by people so that they start to feel like they too have a close connection with him, whether it be through the supposed annoyance he causes or even the precious time they spend together. They are however personifying him to be a friend not only to them but also to the campus as he is an icon now. There is still a divide as to whether people want him here or not.”

Connor: “I guess some people are dog people and others are cat people, Is this having an effect?”

Callaghan: “Well it has been studied and it seems like cat people do have different traits to those of dog people. For example I read that cat people are 12% more neurotic and 11% more open minded. This could be why here the students have looked past the cat’s obvious greed and just love him anyway. That’s all there is to it.”

Connor: “So is this case closed?”

Callaghan: “Yes

*Connor slides money envelope across table to Callaghan, Callaghan looks inside*

Callaghan: “That should cover it”

Connor: “Thank you for your services” *goes to shake Callaghan’s hand but Callaghan ignore him*

Callaghan: “Now leave my office” *points to door*

*Connor and camera crew leave the room*

(End Scene)

Presenter outro

“I guess the campus cat is here to stay then, especially with all the students feeding it and looking after it. Even if it has caused a disturbance, too many people have fallen in love for this shady little character.”

Third Day Filming

On the third day of filming we were faced with the challenge of working as a three because Ade was unable to attend filming on this day. This meant that we all had to work together in filming and operating the boom mic, to add to the struggle it also rained while we filmed outside. Although the rain was light, we still needed to protect the camera so between the two people who would be filming at the time one would have to hold the umbrella. Luckily we also had a tripod to set the camera on so it made the job a bit easier. First we filmed the scene where Callaghan is looking online for the pigeon's murder picture, as the cinematographer for that scene I found it difficult to set the exposure on the camera at first but we took certain measures like closing the curtains and setting the computer screen to a low brightness so the camera could pick up what was on the screen. We also filmed some shots of me showing research, more establishing shots, Callaghan searching for the cat and at the crime scene. We also filmed the title sequence but we left this until the end of the day so it would be darker, we thought the natural darkness would contribute to the noir theme, which it did. Overall I feel like the day went really well considering we had less crew, we got a lot of filming done and we did it in good time.

Second Day Filming

On our second day of filming we felt very rushed for time as we were now behind with our filming we had to film. The first thing we had to do was our vox pops which we had scheduled for the day, me and Billie were the first to arrive so we decided to look around for the right location. We wanted a place where students would be walking around but not any where that was too noisy.

Student Village

Quad

Initially we wanted to film in the student village because that is where the cat walks around but we realised that there was nobody walking around so we looked at the Quad instead. We thought the Quad would be a good location because students would be coming to the canteen for lunch. We set up in time for lunch so we could film students as they were coming to and leaving the canteen. We decided I should ask the questions as I was going to present the documentary so I came up with a few questions to ask. I asked:

• Are you a cat or a dog person?
• Have you heard of the campus cat?
• Where did you hear about it?
• Have you seen it?
• What does it look like?
• Do you have a name for it?
• Do you have any stories/experiences with the cat?

We had around 12 people let us interview them about the cat which was more than enough. After that we decided to get back on track with our schedule and film establishing shots around the university and the student village. We filmed many interesting shots and when we felt we had enough, we decided to film my introduction to the documentary. We found a nice area in the student village, wrote a quick script and filmed on the spot.

''Hello, Im Connor Albinson and I'm here at UCA Farnham investigating the enigma that is the campus cat. After gathering research from students here on campus, it is clear that the illusive feline goes by many names and is a master of disguise, I am now passing over to Investigator Callaghan who I am hoping we be able to discover more about this creature.''

Interviews

For many of our vox pops we wanted the answers to be straight to the point so we used quite closed questions like 'What is the cats name?' & 'Have you heard of the campus cat?'. We wanted the answers to be quick so we would be able to cut quickly between them to create a sequence. However we also asked questions like 'Do you have any experiences/stories to do with the cat?' which could lead on to longer answers and more questions if we wanted to use any longer quotes. We chose to do our vox pops in a location where lots of people would be and we chose outside the canteen in the quad because we was planning to film around lunch time. I think our choice to film here was a good idea because we managed to film many people. We didn't transcribe these interviews because they were so short.

For our main interviews, we wanted the scene to look somewhat like an interrogation with the detective. After the lighting tutorial with the practical lighting, we decided to use the same technique with the light hanging down low. This lighting only lights up the table and the people which was perfect for the scene. The lighting creates huge amounts of shadow which works really well with the film noir theme and makes the scene look quite intense, even though the interview is very informal, its an interesting contrast. 

To help us edit the interviews me and Billie created these transcripts:

Maisie Mok Transcript– 00:05:47:01

Interviewer: Good afternoon, so you are Miss Man Yin Mok *shakes hand* is that correct?

Interviewee: Yep

Interviewer: Right brilliant. I’m Detective Callahan and I will questioning you today. This will be recorded for evidence, is that alright?

Interviewee: Yep

Interviewer: Ok the time is 11:48 am, Tuesday the 24th of November 2015. So right, how are you?

Interviewee: Yeah good

Interviewer: Yeah, did you sleep well?

Interviewee: Yep

Interviewer: Do you know why you are here? It’s about the campus cat

Interviewee: Yes

Interviewer: You know about the cat, yes?

Interviewee: Yes

Interviewer: *looks at notes* I’ve got here that you lived on campus last year. Is that correct?

Interviewee: Yes

Interviewer: But not this year?

Interviewee: No

Interviewer: Does that have anything to do with the cat?

Interviewee: No

Interviewer: I also have here that the cat was a frequent visitor to your flat, is that right?

Interviewee: Mmhmm *nodding head*

Interviewer: Can you tell me about that?

Interviewee: He would just come in like everyday because he knows that we have food, especially salmon and tuna

Interviewer: Salmon and tuna? So he likes fish then?

Interviewee: I think so

Interviewer: Is there anything else about the cat you can tell me? What does the cat look like?

Interviewee: He’s chubby, very chubby

Interviewer: Because of the fish?

Interviewee: Because everyone’s feeding him on the campus

Interviewer: So he’s spoilt

Interviewee: Yeah

Interviewer: Ok so more people than just you are feeding him then? Or were feeding him

Interviewee: Yeah

Interviewer: Can you tell me who else was feeding him?

Interviewee: Um, people from different houses, I believe

Interviewer: And where did you live last time?

Interviewee: 81

Interviewer: 81? Um that is not important. So I have been told that the cat goes by many names, what’s your name for him?

Interviewee: My name for him is Vivienne 

Interviewer: Vivienne? For a boy cat

Interviewee: Yep, because one of our friends was like ‘he looks like a Vivienne lets call him Vivienne’ and someone was like ‘that’s a he’. You know *doing an impression* ‘I don’t care’

Interviewer: So the decision was made. Ok could you tell me what colour is he? And a quick description of him?

Interviewee: Grey and white

Interviewer: Grey and white? So he’s chubby, grey and white. Any special features? Does he have a limp leg or a short tail, a big snout?

Interviewee: Um he has a mark on his leg, like a dark birthmark and his meow is the cutest meow in the world

Interviewer: Can you describe that?

Interviewee: Describe the meow?

Interviewer: Yeah

Interviewee: *Imitates meow*

Interviewer: So its got a tender meow *laughing* that will certainly help the investigation. Now, you’re not the only one we’re interviewing today about the case, is there anything else you think I should know?

Interviewee: Um you should know that he never gets full, so one time when I was feeding him and my housemate came back and said ‘oh I was just feeding him’ and I said oh really? *both laugh* 

Interviewer: Oh right so he’s taking advantage of the students 

Interviewee: Mhm

Interviewer: Fraud right there *laughs* I’m joking we will not arrest the cat… hopefully, unless its murdered someone.

Interviewee: I just saw on the Facebook fresher’s page, that Colin posted something that happened this year, like he murdered a bird

Interviewer: So he murdered a bird, do you know the breed of bird?

Was it a pigeon? 

(Interrupted) Interviewee: *nods*

Interviewer: …a dove? Oh a pigeon, do you know where was he murdered?

Interviewee: No

Interviewer:  Ok, right, right we’ll look into that on the Facebook fresher’s page thank you… You didn’t think of mentioning the bird earlier?

Interviewee: *laughs* because I was not there 

Interviewer: Ok well I think we have all we need, thank you for coming in, you’ve really helped us * shakes interviewees hand* ill have an officer show you out

Interviewee: -stands up and leaves-

2nd Interview with Maisie Mok - 00:08:08:16

Interviewer: Good day, you are Man Yin Mok

Interviewee: Yeah you can call me Maisie

Interviewer: Maisie? Wonderful, I’m detective Callahan and I will be interviewing you today about this case. You know why you’re in here right? *interviewee nods her head* It’s about the campus cat. Um I ask you some questions, it will be recorded for evidence. I’m going to record on my phone, were quite technically advanced. It is Tuesday the 24th of November 12:04pm. Ok let’s begin, So Maisie what is your relationship with the cat?

Interviewee: Um he’s kind of like a friend…

Interviewer: A friend?

Interviewee: Yup like some days if you go out, to go into class and on the way I’ll be like *makes clicking noise* and see if he’s around, if he’s around he will follow me all the way to the porters lodge and sometimes to class, like near the buildings

Interviewer: Oh right so he’s not very afraid of people then?

Interviewee: Oh no no no

Interviewer: Not at all? Ok would you say he’s quite sociable then?

Interviewee: Yeah I think so, everyone likes him on campus. Um everyone feeds him, I believe. And one time, outside the library, he’s like pooping and then after he’s pooped I was like ‘hey do you want me to pet you or something’ and then he’s like *she jolts back* stay away from me, and stuff. I didn’t realise he was pooping, I think he was intimidated because he was pooping and he just finished and I was trying to touch him and he’s like ‘no no no no no’. And then after that, um, we walked home together and I think one lady walked by and she said ‘hey how are you’ not to me, to the cat *they laugh* and just like touches him petting him, like they seemed to know each other.

Interviewer: And that was like and elderly lady not a student?

Interviewee: No not a student like an old lady

Interviewer: So do you have any experiences with the cat, well cats, dogs any animals really?

Interviewee: Um I had a cat once, but only for one week because my friend handed him over to me because she was to be away for one week, so I was like ‘ok I can take care of it’

Interviewer: Ok for one week

Interviewee: And I was like oh my god it’s so cute *laughs*

Interviewer: Oh ok would you say you were more of a cat person or a dog person then?

Interviewee: Um a cat person

Interviewer: So these qualities you like in cats can you see them in the campus cat?

Interviewee: Um I have to say the campus cat feels like he’s a (what do you say) like a home cat, no, he was a pet before I think

Interviewer: So you think somebody owns the cat?

Interviewee: I think he used to belong to someone or he is belonging to someone now, because you know how cats always, like, go away

Interviewer: Yeah

Interviewee: Not stay in one place for long. And then we came out with this because we saw him doing quite well in the house, he comes like every day for a certain hour that he knows we are home after class and he’ll be like *meows* outside the door and we’ll be like awh, and he just came, casually came into the kitchen, we didn’t let him in, he just came in the kitchen to say hi and stuff and we realised he was a pet because he didn’t poop or do any damage to the house. He behaves very well, he’s very sociable around humans and not afraid of humans. Often he lays down on the corridor where the sun can shine through the windows in the afternoons so he can like enjoy the sunshine a bit.

TJ: Owh okay, let’s see ummm I’ve got it here that you are originally from Hong Kong, is that correct? 

Maisie: Yep.

TJ: Yes, would you think that that has anything to do with being a cat person more than a dog person?

Maisie: Not really no.

TJ: No?

Maisie: Like we have different people

TJ: So it’s the same, ok. Anything else about the cat like where we could possible find the cat if we wanted to find it?

Maisie: Ok, first do the thingy *makes clicking noise* 

TJ: The thingy…

Maisie: He likes it

TJ: Right, the thingy. 

Maisie: Then try to meow in your cutest way.

TJ: Ok, so like a mating call?

Maisie: umm if you want.

TJ: Alright, mating call. 

Maisie: yep.

TJ: Very well, anything have you seen the cat since you moved away?

Maisie: yeah yeah yeah, I’ve been back in the first week to see if I could find the cat and see if he remembers me because I’ve been away for over a month. And I was like *makes clicking noise* and meow. Look for the grass because he loves sleeping on the grass.

TJ: The grass, is that… let’s see Castle Field or Friars Field? 

Maisie: Castle Field

TJ: Castle Field?

Maisie: Definitely Castle Field

TJ: Definitely Castle Field

Maisie: and the smoking area at the back

TJ: The smoking? Is that all the way on the top?

Maisie: yes, all the way.

TJ: Yes, ummm right you didn’t tell, did the cat remember you?

Maisie: Ummm he did but he kinda avoided me for a bit and then he come back and then let me pet him. Because usually if you didn’t feed him or anything he like will go away from you. But if you feed him often enough he will like come to you and allow you to pet him.

TJ: But you did suggest the cat was quite sociable?

Maisie: Yeah.

TJ: But do you not think that could be the reason he came over to you?

Maisie: We lured him with food first.

TJ: Ok there was food involved.

Maisie: *nod*

TJ: Ok and last question: do you feel like you have any connection to the cat now you’ve been moved away I’m assuming since before September?

Maisie: Yeah

TJ: yes?

Maisie: Since late July

TJ: Late July so that is 4/5 months?

Maisie: *nods*

TJ: So is there anything else, Do you feel any connection, is he still a friend?

Maisie: Umm like I now can’t see him very often, I believe that someone else has been feeding him so I’m like ok I will let you go *Pretend Cries*

TJ: Ok well thank you very much, I will have an officer escort you out. Have some free water and thank you for your cooperation.

Maisie: *Gets up and walks out*

Sherry Leigh Transcript

Interviewer (TJ) : Good afternoon

Interviewee (Sherry) : Afternoon

TJ: You are Sherry, Is that correct?

Sherry: Yes

TJ: Yes. I am Detective Callaghan, I am going to be interviewing you today. I presume you know why you are here?

Sherry: The cat

TJ: The cat, the campus cat. That is correct. So you’ve been filled in, that is good. There’s no need to worry your not being accused of anything. It’s only about the cat. The cat might be accused but we don’t know yet. Is it alright if we record it?

Sherry: Yeah

TJ: Not only filming through a camera but also through a sound recording. Its only because we need footage and evidence. Right so its Tuesday 24th 2015 November and its 12:41 pm. Lets start. So first off you live on campus yes?

Sherry: I do live on campus yes.

TJ: You live on campus. The cat also lives on campus.

Sherry: I think he lives on campus.

TJ: You think he lives on campus?

Sherry: Yes

TJ: Would you mind explaining?

Sherry: I know that the cat has an owner who’s supposedly an elderly lady but he’s greedy and eats all the students’ food. So he lives about. He gets about that cat.

TJ: He gets about? Well yes we had an interview earlier as well and we’ve been told he eats from everyone and he never gets full.

Sherry: No loyalty with that cat!

TJ: No loyalty? But he comes regularly to your flat as well?

Sherry: Everyday

TJ: Everyday? At a certain time?

Sherry: Yeah when we eat dinner, breakfast, basically when he can smell food.

TJ: So whenever there’s food. Right well what does the cat look like?

Sherry: He’s a tabby and he has white legs. Yeah he’s quite big; he’s a very big cat for a cat I think as cats go.

TJ: Yeah would you describe him as chubby?

Sherry: Yes now.

TJ: Yes he is chubby. Is that because of the students feeding him?

Sherry: Yeah he’s got really fat.

TJ: Right so you feed him?

Sherry: *nod*

TJ: What would you consider your relationship with the cat to be?

Sherry: He was scared of everybody at first when he first came to campus. My house mates don’t really like him anymore because he’s a bit of a pest. And he use to run away but now he has a little cuddle with me on the sofa. I’m a crazy cat lady now.

TJ: Alright so you would consider yourself a cat person then?

Sherry: Definitely yeah.

TJ: Definitely a cat person. And you are from England?

Sherry: Yes

TJ: Yes, do you think that has anything to do with you being a cat person?

Sherry: I don’t think so no.

TJ: no, right so you like cats?

Sherry: Yes a lot.

TJ: Can I ask you why?

Sherry: I don’t know It’s just like I think having dogs is different because dogs like everything so when you earn a cats like affection it’s a bit more ‘owh my god affection from a cat’.

TJ: So you feel it’s a bit more special?

Sherry: Yeah definitely.

TJ: Right and do you think the cat recognises you now?

Sherry: Yeah when he’s sitting outside the houses meowing at everyone and he sees me he comes running to the door. ‘Feed me, I’m starving’

TJ: Alright and you do thinks that’s because of you and not because of the promise of food?

Sherry: Nah probably the promise of food but I like to thinks its me a little bit. He knows its me who gives him food.

TJ: He knows. Couple more things, We’ve heard earlier the cat has murdered? 

Sherry: Owh the bird?

TJ: The bird yes.

Sherry: The bird incident.

TJ: A Pigeon?

Sherry: Yes

TJ: Have you heard anything about that?

Sherry: I heard that he took its head and hid its head somewhere and left the body.

TJ: Serial Killer-esk!

Sherry: Yes

TJ: Right!

Sherry: Messy cat!

TJ: Do you think that was also food or was that more sport?

Sherry: Dunno, I think it was more sport. He just left the rest and took the head.

TJ: I don’t know if that’s much better.

Sherry: He might of given it to someone.

TJ: Don’t know if that’s better. We might need to get working on those arrest warrants! Anyway do you live in castle field then?

Sherry: Yes

TJ: Yes because we have been told that. Yes it was castle filed where he prefers staying. For us because we are actually looking for the cat any tips on how to find him?

Sherry: Shake boxes that sound like they have food in them, he likes that sound a lot.

TJ: Food, he likes the sound of food?

Sherry: yeah yeah, He’ll literally come to anyone as well. No boundaries. 

TJ: Have you had any pets previously?

Sherry: Yeah I’ve got dogs, which is interesting like I have three dogs at home. I’ve had like rabbits and hamsters and that when I was younger. Never had a cat but I dunno it’s just a bit more of a novelty to have a little cat running around.

TJ: Would you considering having a cat in the future?

Sherry: Definitely!

TJ: Alright, What do you think about the statement that when you die a cat will eat you?

Sherry: mmmm Probably true.

TJ: Yeah no it is true, it has been studied.

Sherry: That’s a bit gross.

TJ: Does that change your opinion at all?

Sherry: Nah its just food at the end of the day!

TJ: Saves your funeral doesn’t it!

Sherry: Yeah expenses.

TJ: So I’m just trying to gather some Intel you know. Do you now have a special name for the cat? We’ve heard quite a lot.

Sherry: Yeah I heard a few names; we call him leggings because he looks like he’s wearing leggings!

TJ: Leggings, alright I will write that down.  Leggings! Does he respond to any of these names?

Sherry: Yeah I think its more the sound like the pitch of your voice and that but he does come trotting over.

TJ: I notice your saying he so he is a male cat?

Sherry: He’s a boy yeah.

TJ: He’s male, right we’ve heard that before so were assuming he’s a male. 

Sherry: A paramedic told me, He said no that’s definitely a boy.

TJ: A paramedic?

Sherry: yeah.

TJ: Right is that a story right there?

Sherry: Not to do with the cat.

TJ: Not to do with the cat, Ok well that is why were here. Is there anything else you want to tell me about the cat? Any story’s?

Sherry: He’s often found in bins, you can find him near bins. He’s quite dirty even though he gets food. I’ve been told off a lot for feeding the cat as well so I probably shouldn’t be telling you about feeding the cat. 

TJ: Its ok we can bleep that out its fine. We’ll bleep that out right? *Camera crew nods* Yeah. Near bins like the bins round campus?

Sherry: Yeah and kitchen bins. And also when we let him in the house a lot which I’m not suppose to let him in the house… Beep! He sometimes goes under the sofa because we have a sofa in our kitchen and he goes under the sofa and people forget he’s there and he’s been accidentally locked in over night. Like I come down early in the morning and he comes running out ermmm Cat!

TJ: In future notice just add allegedly to anything you say and it cant, it won’t count.

Sherry: Owh Maybe that happened

TJ: Yeah allegedly 

Sherry: yeah

TJ: Right so would you say that… are you a first year?

Sherry: Yes

TJ: Yes, so you’ve know the cat then for approximately 2, 2 and a half months now?

Sherry: *nod* 

TJ: and would you say that in that time you’ve grown fond of the cat?

Sherry: yeah definitely

TJ: Well as everyone on campus has to you have to move out after a year, would you miss the cat?

Sherry: Yeah I’ve joked about taking him with me when I move out but I think I will miss him.

TJ: You will miss him.

Sherry: I think he’s a little bit of home having a little pet running around.

TJ: Do you think he will miss you?

Sherry: no!

TJ: No? 

Sherry: no!

TJ: Just a cynic are you?

Sherry: If he missed people that would be a seriously deep heart broken cat.

TJ: Owh yeah thats true, He would loose people every year. *mumbling* Just to finish us off do you know anything else about the cat that you think would be of use to us?

Sherry: I don’t think so; I think that’s all of the information I can give you.

TJ: Well thank you very much, it’s been a pleasure talking to you.

Sherry: You too.

TJ: You can have some free water on the way out, I will have an officer escort you out.

Sherry: Yay!

TJ: Exits there. *points*

Sherry: ok.

TJ: Thank you

Sherry: Thank you

TJ: Have a nice day

*sherry leaves*