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SafeSpace
© 2025 SafeSpace. Built with purpose by BCIT D3 students.
Creating a more inclusive future for the trades.
Contact us
📍 Vancouver, BC
saferspace.2025@gmail.com
Tears of Joy (and Hard Work)
Kaitlyn Lew
Posted on November 9, 2025
Rollercoaster of Emotions
This week was intense, emotional, and full of moments that reminded us why we’re building SafeSpace in the first place. From our Instagram debut to filming our advertisement to an unexpectedly heartfelt team debrief, it felt like one HUGE rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Our Instagram Debut
After weeks of planning, we finally uploaded our first post introducing SafeSpace, then scheduled out a whole lineup of what to post next: an invitation to our showcase, feature highlights, and upcoming meet the team posts. After a few days of consistent posting, we surpassed our goal of 60 followers! It might seem small, but for us, it was a huge energy boost — a real sign that people are curious and excited about what we’re building.
Filming the SafeSpace Ad
And for our main course of action this week, prepping and filming the SafeSpace ad! Emmalee and Sam wrapped up the script earlier in the week, and we started filming first thing in the morning, going through lines and reviewing the storyboard as a group.
As we were reviewing the script together, we ran into a major dilemma. Some scenes included explicit, aggressive dialogue — the kind of language women and gender-diverse workers ACTUALLY hear on job sites. It felt true to our message, but we were unsure whether it was appropriate for the showcase audience.
After discussing it with our instructor, we made a decision that aligned with our values:
we’re keeping it. We want to show the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. To handle it responsibly, we’ll include a content disclaimer at the beginning of the video, but we believe transparency is important for impact. We know not everyone in the audience will agree with or appreciate what we’re showing, but we’re willing to take that risk. These harsh realities matter too much to soften or censor. Real change starts with acknowledging what’s difficult to see.
Now for the actual filming, it was hectic due to time constraints, but we powered through. We decided to schedule a reshoot day for next week so we can refine any scenes that feel rushed and finish off whatever we didn't get to film. And in true crunch-time fashion, our lunch break was saved by Lucie, who ordered Popeyes for the whole team — a very needed and delicious morale boost. Thanks Lucie :D
Meeting with the Program Head
After filming wrapped, we headed straight back to school for a meeting with Henry, our program head. We had a long thorough talk with Henry — clearing up misunderstandings lifted a lot of stress off our shoulders and brought us much needed relief. After Henry left, we regrouped afterward to debrief... this is where the waterworks came in.
I (Kaitlyn) started by thanking everyone for their hard work and dedication. Then Emmalee added her gratitude. Then Jamille chimed in. One by one, everyone shared what the project meant to them. And then Sam said something that completely broke us… “Out of all the AI projects I’ve worked on in the past at BCIT, this is the most human one.”
At that point, a few of us already had glistening eyes… but that line did us all in. Kaitlyn, Emmalee, and Lucie were gone. Yelling at one another for making each other cry. Endless tears were streaming down — the kind that only comes from relief, pride, exhaustion, and the feeling of being part of something meaningful. It was messy. It was emotional. And it was exactly the reminder we needed of why we’re building SafeSpace in the first place.
Looking Ahead
This week pushed us creatively, emotionally, and collaboratively. We launched our first social content, tackled tough storytelling choices, filmed under pressure, and ended it all with a reminder of why SafeSpace matters.
If this week brought tears, it also brought clarity — and a whole lot of motivation for what’s next.
Home
Blog
About
Try now
SafeSpace
© 2025 SafeSpace. Built with purpose by BCIT D3 students.
Creating a more inclusive future for the trades.
Contact us
📍 Vancouver, BC
saferspace.2025@gmail.com
Tears of Joy (and Hard Work)
Kaitlyn Lew
Posted on November 9, 2025
Rollercoaster of Emotions
This entire week was dedicated to perfecting our midterm presentation — and then finally presenting it.
Of course, things couldn’t go perfectly. During our final run-through, we realized the audio playback for our incident recordings would not project sound. Classic. So we improvised: showed the transcript, generated the AI report live.
On presentation day, we rolled in fully prepared. We had our tripod set up to record ourselves, coordinated all-black outfits and every team member ready to present…except Vy, who was sick and sadly had to miss the day. The vibes were definitely different without our full team, but SafeSpace adjusted, adapted, and kept going. <3
And honestly? We absolutely ATE. The presentation went so well, and we were proud of everything we pulled off. We walked away with solid feedback and a new fire for the final presentation. Next time, we’re hitting that Telus Theatre stage with confidence and an app we’re ready to show off.
Our Instagram Debut
After weeks of planning, we finally uploaded our first post introducing SafeSpace, then scheduled out a whole lineup of what to post next: an invitation to our showcase, feature highlights, and upcoming meet the team posts. After a few days of consistent posting, we surpassed our goal of 60 followers! It might seem small, but for us, it was a huge energy boost — a real sign that people are curious and excited about what we’re building.
Filming the SafeSpace Ad
And for our main course of action this week, prepping and filming the SafeSpace ad! Emmalee and Sam wrapped up the script earlier in the week, and we started filming first thing in the morning, going through lines and reviewing the storyboard as a group.
As we were reviewing the script together, we ran into a major dilemma. Some scenes included explicit, aggressive dialogue — the kind of language women and gender-diverse workers ACTUALLY hear on job sites. It felt true to our message, but we were unsure whether it was appropriate for the showcase audience.
After discussing it with our instructor, we made a decision that aligned with our values:
we’re keeping it. We want to show the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. To handle it responsibly, we’ll include a content disclaimer at the beginning of the video, but we believe transparency is important for impact. We know not everyone in the audience will agree with or appreciate what we’re showing, but we’re willing to take that risk. These harsh realities matter too much to soften or censor. Real change starts with acknowledging what’s difficult to see.
Now for the actual filming, it was hectic due to time constraints, but we powered through. We decided to schedule a reshoot day for next week so we can refine any scenes that feel rushed and finish off whatever we didn't get to film. And in true crunch-time fashion, our lunch break was saved by Lucie, who ordered Popeyes for the whole team — a very needed and delicious morale boost. Thanks Lucie :D
Meeting with the Program Head
After filming wrapped, we headed straight back to school for a meeting with Henry, our program head. We had a long thorough talk with Henry — clearing up misunderstandings lifted a lot of stress off our shoulders and brought us much needed relief. After Henry left, we regrouped afterward to debrief... this is where the waterworks came in.
I (Kaitlyn) started by thanking everyone for their hard work and dedication. Then Emmalee added her gratitude. Then Jamille chimed in. One by one, everyone shared what the project meant to them. And then Sam said something that completely broke us… “Out of all the AI projects I’ve worked on in the past at BCIT, this is the most human one.”
At that point, a few of us already had glistening eyes… but that line did us all in. Kaitlyn, Emmalee, and Lucie were gone. Yelling at one another for making each other cry. Endless tears were streaming down — the kind that only comes from relief, pride, exhaustion, and the feeling of being part of something meaningful. It was messy. It was emotional. And it was exactly the reminder we needed of why we’re building SafeSpace in the first place.
Looking Ahead
This week pushed us creatively, emotionally, and collaboratively. We launched our first social content, tackled tough storytelling choices, filmed under pressure, and ended it all with a reminder of why SafeSpace matters.
If this week brought tears, it also brought clarity — and a whole lot of motivation for what’s next.
Home
Blog
About
Try now
Tears of Joy (and Hard Work)
Kaitlyn Lew
Posted on November 9, 2025
Rollercoaster of Emotions
This week was intense, emotional, and full of moments that reminded us why we’re building SafeSpace in the first place. From our Instagram debut to filming our advertisement to an unexpectedly heartfelt team debrief, it felt like one HUGE rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Our Instagram Debut
After weeks of planning, we finally uploaded our first post introducing SafeSpace, then scheduled out a whole lineup of what to post next: an invitation to our showcase, feature highlights, and upcoming meet the team posts. After a few days of consistent posting, we surpassed our goal of 60 followers! It might seem small, but for us, it was a huge energy boost — a real sign that people are curious and excited about what we’re building.
Filming the SafeSpace Ad
And for our main course of action this week, prepping and filming the SafeSpace ad! Emmalee and Sam wrapped up the script earlier in the week, and we started filming first thing in the morning, going through lines and reviewing the storyboard as a group.
As we were reviewing the script together, we ran into a major dilemma. Some scenes included explicit, aggressive dialogue — the kind of language women and gender-diverse workers ACTUALLY hear on job sites. It felt true to our message, but we were unsure whether it was appropriate for the showcase audience.
After discussing it with our instructor, we made a decision that aligned with our values:
we’re keeping it. We want to show the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. To handle it responsibly, we’ll include a content disclaimer at the beginning of the video, but we believe transparency is important for impact. We know not everyone in the audience will agree with or appreciate what we’re showing, but we’re willing to take that risk. These harsh realities matter too much to soften or censor. Real change starts with acknowledging what’s difficult to see.
Now for the actual filming, it was hectic due to time constraints, but we powered through. We decided to schedule a reshoot day for next week so we can refine any scenes that feel rushed and finish off whatever we didn't get to film. And in true crunch-time fashion, our lunch break was saved by Lucie, who ordered Popeyes for the whole team — a very needed and delicious morale boost. Thanks Lucie :D
Meeting with the Program Head
After filming wrapped, we headed straight back to school for a meeting with Henry, our program head. We had a long thorough talk with Henry — clearing up misunderstandings lifted a lot of stress off our shoulders and brought us much needed relief. After Henry left, we regrouped afterward to debrief... this is where the waterworks came in.
I (Kaitlyn) started by thanking everyone for their hard work and dedication. Then Emmalee added her gratitude. Then Jamille chimed in. One by one, everyone shared what the project meant to them. And then Sam said something that completely broke us… “Out of all the AI projects I’ve worked on in the past at BCIT, this is the most human one.”
At that point, a few of us already had glistening eyes… but that line did us all in. Kaitlyn, Emmalee, and Lucie were gone. Yelling at one another for making each other cry. Endless tears were streaming down — the kind that only comes from relief, pride, exhaustion, and the feeling of being part of something meaningful. It was messy. It was emotional. And it was exactly the reminder we needed of why we’re building SafeSpace in the first place.
Looking Ahead
This week pushed us creatively, emotionally, and collaboratively. We launched our first social content, tackled tough storytelling choices, filmed under pressure, and ended it all with a reminder of why SafeSpace matters.
If this week brought tears, it also brought clarity — and a whole lot of motivation for what’s next.
