Multimedia Thesis [MMDD 400]
# 15 McKinley

Multimedia Thesis focuses on contemporary issues and techniques critical to the conceptualization, design, production and delivery of interactive multimedia. Students are assigned readings and complete a final project, introducing them to topics critical to their understanding of interactivity, interface design, networking, multi-user environments, immersion, non-linear narrative, etc. The course will overview software tools used in multimedia production for authoring, graphics, animation, sound and video. Students will complete a final project consisting of an interactive DVD, exploring areas of art, social science, politics, education, science, etc., involving them in the multimedia development process from concept to finished work.

Review of course objectives, readings, assignments, projects, and grading.

Blogging as "hypomnemata": a medium for research, social discourse, and documentation. Sign-up on Blogger.com

Assigned Reading

• Randall Packer and Ken Jordan, "Overture," Multimedia: From Wagner to Virtual Reality

Week 2 - September 8

Site visit: New Media Center, overview of facility, 5:30 pm, meet at Hurst Hall 212 (2nd Floor)

Topic for discussion: Interactivity: Concepts; Cybernetics; Symbiosis; Augmentation; Interface; Indeterminacy.

Technique: interaction and information design for DVD: Case studies; << Pavilion : Into the 21st Century >>; Robert Whitman, Playback, artist projects;

Discussion of final project production process

Reading: Alan Kay, "User Interface, A Personal View"

Blog Assignment: Based on the reading of Alan Kay, explain why multimedia is a medium (like radio or television) and not just a tool? Due Wed., September 15

Week 3 - September 15

Visiting artist: Jeff Gates, new media artist and head of new media at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, will discuss the social and artistic implications of blogging, as well as work as an artist and designer.

Discussion of Reading: Alan Kay, "User Interface, A Personal View"

Concept statement: we will review the application form for your final projects. The form is due Wednesday, September 22.

Week 4 - September 22

Concept statement and presentation is due for final projects. Each student will give a brief presentation discussing the project (10 minutes including class feedback).

Assignment for Sept. 29: Create a flow chart that shows the information architecture of your project. This involves diagramming the various sections: introduction, mainmenu, submenus, video, web links, slideshows, additional screens, etc. You can sketch out the flow chart on paper, or use a graphics program such as photoshop or illustrator. Essentially, you create boxes that indicate the various sections, lines and arrows to indicate links, and the flow should go either from the top down, or from left to right to indicate hierarchy and progression through the DVD. Keep in mind, this is a diagram-in-progress and should be considered a starting point for your design. Once you have content, the information architecture will adjust to the needs of the project.

Hand in by exporting and emailing to packer@american.edu.

Week 5 - September 29

Topic for discussion: Non-linear narrative

Technique: branching storyline, scripting and narrative techniques

Traditional narratives are bing restructured. As a result, people feel a greater need to personally participate in the discovery of values that affect and order their lives, to dissolve the division that separates them from control, freedom; replacing longing, nostalgia and emptiness with a sense of identity, purpse and hope." – Lynn Hershman

Questions to consider: How does the role of the author change? Is there a changing role for the viewer or reader? How does one reconsider narrative in non-linear storytelling?

Presentation: authoring with DVD Studio Pro, overview of assembling media to create an interactive, non-linear DVD.

Review project flow charts.

Reading: Lynn Hershman, "Fantasy Beyond Control" : due Wednesday, October 6
Summary: write 300 word summary for blog that describes the aesthetic challenges involved non-linear writing and storytelling: due Wednesday, October 6

Week 6 - October 6

Topic for discussion: Non-linear narrative

Technique: Photoshop and menu layers for interactivity in DVD Studio Pro

Discussion: Lynn Hershman, interactive media, branching narrative. Other works if time:

Week 7 - October 13 Midterm Projects due

– updated Application form (optional)
– flow chart (updated)
– mainmenu prototype (with button interactivity)
– list of assets (breakdown of video material, still images, sound, etc.), complete as text document
– storyboard(s) for video material (see example)
– class presentation: Be prepared to give status report on project to class.

Please hand all material in printed form.

No late projects! Sorry... there is so little time this semester to complete projects.

Week 8 - October 20

Technique: Audio production technique in Final Cut Pro

Work on final projects.

Reading: Bill Viola, "Will There be Condominiums in Cyberspace?" due Wednesday, October 27

Summary: write 300 word summary for blog that describes the aesthetic challenges involved in non-linear video presentation.

Week 9- October 27

Technique: Review of sizing images in Photoshop for DVD Studio Pro.

Work on final projects.

Week 10 - November 3

Review of production schedule for remainder of semester:

Week 10 - November 3 - Content production (all design revisions finalized)
Week 11 - November 10 - Content production (all menus completed)
Week 12 - November 17 - Content production complete, ready for final production work and input into DVD Studio Pro (I would like to see everyone make significant progress on DVD interaction during the holiday period)
November 24 - Thanksgiving holiday
Week 13 - December 1 - All assets are input in DVD Studio Pro and interactivity is working (beta version)
Week 14 - December 8 - Final Presentations (last class)
Week 15 - December 13 - 15 - Final project is due with DVDs cases printed (I will see everyone by appointment)

Weekly assignments (20%)

Midterm Project (20%)

Concept and narrative of the final project, including design, storyboard, and information layout sketches.

Final Project (50%)

Interactive DVD project choosing subject matter of student's own choice. Project will be designed, produced and mastered as a finished work. Each student will be responsible for conceptualizing a project that relates to an area of interest, acquiring and producing content (video, graphics, sound, animation, text), editing and authoring, cover design and final mastering. Key applications will be: Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Attendance and Class Discussion (10%)

A firewire drive (minimum 80 gigabytes) will be necessary for storing media throughout the semester. Room 15 Macintosh Powerbooks will be used for hands-on class presentation, but projects will be produced at the New Media Center in the Center for Teaching Excellence. Visit their Web site for more information.

You may also work on your own computer but you will be responsible for purchasing all the related software.

Assigned reading

All reading will be from the instructor's "Multimedia: From Wagner to Virtual Reality," (co-edited by Randall Packer and Ken Jordan), as well as the companion Website located at artmuseum.net. The book can be purchased through Amazon.com.

Academic Integrity Code

Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University Academic Integrity Code. By registering, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Academic Integrity Code, and you are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary actions will be taken should such violations occur. Please see me if you have any questions about the academic violations in the code in general or as they relate to particular requirements for this course