Still from Phillip Stockton.

 

PROFESSOR:           John (Craig) Freeman

EMAIL:                     john_craig_freeman@emerson.edu

PHONE:                     (617) 824-8862

OFFICE HOURS:     180 Tremont Street, room 1111.

                                    Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11:00-12:00 p.m. or by appointment.

 

CLASS MEETS:      Mondays and Wednesdays: 12:00 - 1:45 p.m.

                                    at 180 Tremont Street, DPL, room T809.

 

PREREQUISITE:     MA420 New Media Production II or permission of instructor.

 

DESCRIPTION:       Designed as a capstone experience to the New Media curriculum this course will help students to develop an original body of New Media work. Students will be working for the duration of the semester on a single interactive multimedia project. The final form will be a CD-ROM, DVD, Web site or other Internet application.

 

                                    You will present your progress on the project three times before the project is completed. The content of the project is entirely up to you, but, it must reflect and understanding of the reading we will be doing throughout the duration of the semester. The course culminates in the presentation and critique of all final projects during our scheduled exam period. Students complete the course with an original portfolio-ready project and an artist's statement.

 

OBJECTIVES:         This course is designed to allow students to apply the skills acquired in MA315 New Media Production I, MA420 New Media Production II and other courses in the Visual and Media Arts curriculum, and to develop a body of original work. Additionally, this course will prepare students to make informed career decisions relating to new media production as they approach graduation.

 

REQUIRMENTS:    Over the course of the semester, students will be required to:

                                    Attend every class meeting.

                                    Come to class prepared to work.

                                    Complete all required reading

                                    Complete two tutorials.

                                    Make three formal presentations of work in progress,

                                    Present a completed final project.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:    

 

                         Tutorials #1 and #2: Tutorials are to be completed during off hours, outside of class. For Tutorial #1 and #2, you will be responsible for completing the first two DVD tutorials in the pages.emerson.edu/Courses/semesterYear/MA470/Assignments_Out/Tutorial folder. You will not be required to hand in the finished tutorial work, however, you will need to do the work in order to prepare your second presentation.

 

                         Presentation #1: For the first presentation, each student will present a proposal to the class. We will discuss the proposal and either we will approve the project or recommend changes. Late presentations will result in a lower grade. Students will be evaluated on the quality of the presentations, so test your work and equipment ahead of time.

 

                                    The Proposals must include a Concept Narrative, Storyboard and Concept Art, a Production Time-line, and a Budget saved in a folder titled last_first in a .doc, .html, .jpg, .swf or a ,mov file format. The folder should be dropped into the pages.emerson.edu/Courses/semesterYear/MA470/Assignments_In folder prior to the presentation.

 

.                                   The Concept Narrative should be concise and to the point and should be around 750 words. The content will make up the aural part of your presentation to the class. The concept narrative will evolve into an artist's statement as the semester progresses.

 

                                    The Storyboard and Concept Art should include high quality color illustrations and should be presented in digital form at a 640 X 480, 72 dpi. resolution. Leafing through individual images in a production application is unacceptable.

 

                                    The Production Time-line should be organized according to the following line items: concept development, storyboarding, production, and postproduction. The production item will vary based on which form you choose to work in.

 

                                    The Budget should include all production expenses as well as equipment needs.

 

                         Presentation #2: For the second presentation, you will present all of the assets you have generated for your project on DVD. You will need to have completed the Tutorials to create the DVD you will present. The presentation should be handed in as self-contained DVD, titled with your name (LAST_FIRST), with no external links, clearly marked with your name, the date, and the course number. The first draft of your Artist's Statement is due as well. Late presentations will result in a lower grade. Students will be evaluated on the quality of the presentations, so test your work and equipment ahead of time.

 

                         Presentation #3: The third presentation must be made in the project's final form. The structure of the project should be complete. If assets are yet to be finished you will need to use proxies. Your presentation must include a demonstration of a unique technique, which you have used. Late presentations will result in a lower grade. Students will be evaluated on the quality of the presentations, so test your work and equipment ahead of time.

 

                         Final Project: Final work must be turned in as self-contained CD-ROM or DVD, titled with your name (LAST_FIRST), with no external links. This includes all forms of work including web sites. If you are using PHP or other data based, or CGI technologies, which require that the work reside on a specific server to work, please see me. All final projects must include titles and credits and must be professionally labeled. Your completed artist's statement must be integrated into the project. Late projects will not be accepted.

 

GRADING:               Attendance and punctuality is required at all class meetings and will be reflected in the final grade. According to College policy, unexcused absences beyond five will result in a failing grade. Everyone must come to class prepared and engaged and everyone must participate in discussions and critiques. Your undivided attention is required during all discussions and critiques. No email, web browsing or other computer work will be allowed during these times. Students are responsible for meeting all project deadlines and completing all reading assignments. Late work will suffer a drop in letter grade. No late work will be accepted after the final meeting. I will meet with each student individually at mid-semester to evaluate performance up to that point.

 

                                    The final grade will be determined by:

                                    Presentations: 45% (15% each for 3 presentations).

                                    Final project: 35%.

                                    Participation in discussions and critiques: 10%.

                                    Attendance, punctuality and preparedness: 10%.

 

                                    An Incomplete will only be issued if there are extenuating circumstances related to illness or critical personal emergency and only after administrative notice has been received.

 

POLICIES:                Students should be aware of the College policies regarding creative and academic dishonesty and the penalties for plagiarism and software piracy. While it is accepted that there may be occasion for stylistic or historical inspiration, influence and reference, the student will be asked to produce original work from ones own study and investigation.

 

                                    If you have a disability that warrants accommodations in this course, please register with the Disability Service Coordinator at 216 Tremont Street, 5th Floor, (617) 824-8415.

 

READING:                Lev Manovich, The Language of New Media. ISBN 0-262-63255-1.

                                    Gregory L. Ulmer, Internet Invention. ISBN 0-321-12692-0.

 

SUPPLIES:                FireWire/USB Removable Hard Drive http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/cat/Storage/FireWireDiskDrives/category.asp.

                                    DVD-Rs and CD-Rs as needed.

                                    Epson Photo Quality Self Adhesive Sheets.

                                    Epson Photo Quality Inkjet Paper.

                                    #11 Xacto Knife and blades.

                                    12² metal ruler.

                                    Cutting Surface.

 

 

COURSE CALENDAR: Subject to changes if necessary

 

WEEK #1

Wed. 1/21/04              Introductions

                                    Survey

                                    Syllabus

                                    Calendar

                                    Assignment; Get books and supplies

 

WEEK #2

Mon. 1/26/04              Lecture 01: Tutorial, Assignments_Out, Assignments_In, Presentation Sign-Up, Presentation #1.

                                    Discussion: Possible Projects.

                                    Reading: Language of New Media, Forward, Prologue, Introduction. pp. x - 17.

                                    Reading: Internet Invention, Introduction. pp. 1 - 16.

 

Wed. 1/28/04              Features: davis_chris_story_board.swf

                                    Browsing: Turbulence http://turbulence.org/

                                    David Crawford, Stop Motion Studies-Tokyo

                                    Achives 03 >

                                    David Jhave Johnston, Inter-face

                                    Demo 01: Interactive 3D Text

 

WEEK #3

Mon. 2/2/04                Presentations 1:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 1 What is New Media. pp. 18 - 48.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part I, Mystory. pp. 17 - 42.

 

Wed. 2/4/04                Browsing: Drunken Boat http://www.drunkenboat.com Archive > Spring 2002 >

                                    Stanza,, Soundscrapers

                                    Lisa Ciamci, Same Old Dreams

                                    Demo 02: Interactive 3D Primatives.

 

WEEK #4

Mon. 2/9/04                Presentations 1:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 1 What is New Media. pp. 49 - 61.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part I, Image. pp. 43 - 69.

 

Wed. 2/11/04              Browsing: The Remedi Project http://www.theremediproject.com.

                                    Rick Mullarky Chrysalis.

                                    Demo 03: Cubic VR

 

WEEK #5

Mon. 2/16/04              President's Day (no classes)

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 2 The Interface pp. 62 - 93.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part II, Home and Family. pp. 71 - 95.

 

Wed. 2/18/04              Special Guest: Guest speaker.

 

WEEK #6

Mon. 2/23/04              Presentations 1:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 2 The Interface pp. 94 - 115.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part II, Cosmogram. pp. 96 - 123.

 

Wed. 2/25/04              Browsing: PS1 Animations http://www.ps1.org/cut/animations/main.html > On the Web.

                                    Natalie Bookchin, The Intruder, 1999.

                                    Mouchette, Lullaby for a Dead Fly, 2000.

                                    Xeth Feinberg, Bulbo in the 20th Century, 2000.

                                    Demo 04: TBA

 

WEEK #7

Mon. 3/1/04                Presentations 2:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, pp. 3 The Operations. pp. 116 - 160.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part III, Interface Impressions. pp. 125 - 154.

 

Wed. 3/3/04                Browsing: Whitney Artport http://artport.whitney.org/ Martin Wattenberg, Idea Line.

                                    Demo 05: TBA

 

SPRING BREAK      (no classes)

 

WEEK #8

Mon. 3/15/04              Presentations 2:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, pp. 3 The Operations. pp. 161 - 175.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part III, Cyberpidgin. pp. 155 - 178.

 

Wed. 3/17/04              Lecture 02: Graduate school.

                                    Browsing: The Alternative Museum http://www.alternativemuseum.org/.

 

WEEK #9

Mon. 3/22/04              Presentations 2:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 4 The Illusions pp. 176 - 198.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part IV, History. pp. 179 - 209.

 

Wed. 3/24/04              Browsing: Rhizome http://www.rhizome.org

                                    Studio: Work on final projects.

 

WEEK #10

Mon. 3/29/04              Presentations 2:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 4 The Illusions pp. 199 - 211.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part IV, The Bar. pp. 210 - 243.

 

Wed. 3/31/04              Studio: Work on final projects.

 

WEEK #11

Mon. 4/5/04                Presentations 3:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 5 The Forms pp. 212 - 243.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part V, Emblem. pp. 245 - 277.

 

Wed. 4/7/03                Studio: Work on final projects.

 

WEEK #12

Mon. 4/12/04              Presentations 3:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 5 The Forms pp. 244 - 285.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Part V, The Ideal Value. pp. 278 - 298.

 

Wed. 4/14/04              Studio; Work on final projects.

 

WEEK #13

Tues. 4/20/04              (Monday Schedule)

                                    Presentations 3:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 6 What is Cinema pp. 286 - 308.

                                    Reading; Internet Invention, Conclusion. pp. 299 - 324.

 

Wed. 4/21/04              Studio; Work on final projects.

 

WEEK #14

Mon. 4/26/04              Presentations 3:

                                    Reading; Language of New Media, 6 What is Cinema pp. 309 - 333.

 

Wed. 4/88/04              Studio: Work on final projects.

FINAL

Sat. 5/1/04                   Due: Final Projects

11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m