Weekly Content :: IMT 120 Multimedia Production

Students will learn computer basics, file management, and file formats. This class will introduce and define raster graphics, vector graphics and multimedia concepts, which relate to multimedia production. This class places an emphasis on students learning professional and industry relevant tools and techniques. The emphasis or IMT 120 is on the process of creating effective, efficient, and dynamic solutions to multimedia problems. We will explore each stage of the process with the intention of encouraging individual working style and problem solving.

  • Start
  • Syllabus
  • Schedule
  • [ Phase 01 ][ Phase 02 ][ Phase 03 ][ Phase 04 ][ Phase 05 ]
    [ Phase 06 ][ Phase 07 ][ Phase 08 ][ Phase 09 ][ Phase 10 ]

Phase 01 :: Project and Concept Statement

PROJECT OVERVIEW

INTERACTIVE CD-ROM PROGRAM
The goal of this project is to design and produce an interactive program which combines audio, video, graphics, animation, text, photographs, and interactivity into a comprehensive product. The product may be informative, educational, entertaining, marketing, or any combination.

The development of this project will encompass the entire semester. You will learn the primary software and production skills which will be necessary to execute your plan.

CLIENT
This project can be focused on any topic which interests you: an activity you engage in, a company that you want to promote, or a product or information which you know something about.

DESIGN PROCESS
This project is comprised of several phases. Each phase represents an individual sub-project, and the completion of these phases will take the entire length of the term. Each Phase represents a new skill, and usually a new software program. You will take the product of each phase and combine them to create the final product.

The process will proceed as follows:

  • Phase 01 :: Select a viable subject and develop the concept
  • Phase 02 :: Create a flow chart which illustrates the structure of the project
  • Phase 03 :: Flow chart and Story board
  • Phase 04 :: Graphical User Interface.
  • Phase 05 :: Navigation and Interactivity (alpha testing)
  • Phase 06 :: Audio
  • Phase 07 :: Video
  • Phase 08 :: Animation
  • Phase 09 :: Integration and beta testing
  • Phase 10 :: Burn CD / DVD

REQUIREMENTS

Each phase of this project has a specific Project Sheet. These requirements reflect the final product of each phase.

  • Concept Statement, Flowchart, Story boards
  • Audio : Music, loops and/or narrative
  • Video : Shot by you or digitized from other sources
  • Graphics : Backgrounds, drawings, scans, etc
  • Photographs : Originals or scans
  • Text : Written or acquired by you
  • Interface : Designed or acquired by you
  • Navigation : Appropriate to the product

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Director projector and all component files

FINAL PRESENTATION

  • CD-ROM or DVD for critique/grading

EVALUATION

  • Design concepts
  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Following project guidelines

DUE DATES

Refer to Semester Schedule for specific information on when each phase is assigned and due.

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CONCEPT STATEMENT DELIVERABLE

The goal of this phase is to determine the project concept. The Concept Statement succinctly describes the idea, goal and target market of the project. Succinct is the key here. It should be at least one paragraph long, but no longer than one page

CLIENT
You are the client. Therefore, the project can be focused on any topic which interests you: an activity you engage in, a company that you want to promote, or a product or information which you know something about

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Write a one paragraph to one page description of the topic of your choice
  • Present your concept to the class
  • Brainstorming session to work through project strong and weak points. Class recommendations

REQUIREMENTS

  • Typed and Printed Concept Statements

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Write your Concepts on a word processing program and print
  • No handwritten proposals will be accepted.

FINAL PRESENTATION

  • Printed Concept Statements

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 50 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria, each of which is worth 10 points:

  • Clarity of Concept Descriptions
  • Appropriateness of Topics
  • Writing Composition
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Following project guidelines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

6th Ed. Chap. 1; What is multimedia.

6th Ed. Chap. 2; Introduction to Making Multimedia.

6th Ed. Chap. 3; Multimedia skills

6th Ed. Chap. 15; Planning and costing. Pages 336 - 363.

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PHASE 02 :: Flow Chart and Storyboard

The goal of this phase is to organize and plan all the necessary content, interactivity and navigation for your interactive project and to determine the graphical nature of the interface including the moving and animated portions of your interactive project. Never begin a multimedia project without first outlining its structure and content. Additionally, you should begin to acquire graphics, images, text, video, and other media you will need for the other phases of this project.

DESIGN PROCESS

Flowchart

  • Write down every idea, concept or sub-category of your selected topic - one each on a 3x5 card
  • Layout the cards in logical groupings
  • Write out new cards which are titles for each grouping. Include one card for a main title
  • Include 1 card at the beginning as an explanation screen
  • Using the card layout, create a diagram (FlowChart) which shows the navigational flow between groups and subtopics
  • Select where you will include audio, video, 3D, pictures and text

Story boards

Draw out the general design of your interfaces, and the layout of your different screens, determining what will be in background, position and size of possible images and text, and location and size of navigation buttons.

  • Using the FlowChart, determine where you will include audio, video and 3D
  • Using the animation story board, draw simple sketches and descriptions of effects which will map out what the movement of your 3D and video will look like

REQUIREMENTS

* Designed (and printed) flowchart and story boards

IMAGES

  • Story board sketches

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Create in a graphics program and print out, or NEATLY drawn on paper
  • Laser or Inkjet printouts, or very neat sketches or drawings

FINAL PRESENTATION

  • Neat and tight 8.5 x 11 printouts or drawings

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 100 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Clarity of flowchart design
  • Clarity of story board design
  • Craftsmanship
  • Following project guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE


6th Ed. Chap. 16; Designing and Producing. Pages 364 - 395

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PHASE 03 :: Text and Graphics


The goal of this phase is write the content, descriptions, captions, explanations, and to acquire, scan, manipulate, and scale all the images for your project

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Determine where you will need text and images. Refer to your flowchart and story boards
  • Scan Images. Refer to Scanning Handout
  • Size, scale and save images. Refer to Photoshop Handout
  • Write text in Word or SimpleText or directly in Director

REQUIREMENTS

  • Background Size : 800 x 600 x 72 ppi
  • Other images will vary
  • Compression : PICT, GIF, or JPEG
  • Color Depth : 24 bit
  • Text saved in RTF format or typed in Director or other authoring program

IMAGES

  • Scanned, Photo Disk, frame grabs or computer generated

FINAL OUTPUT

  • PICT, GIF, or JPEG images at appropriate sizes

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 200 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Following guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

6th Ed. Chap. 4; Text. Pages 44 - 89

6th Ed. Chap. 6; Images. Pages 122 - 157

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PHASE 04 :: Graphical User Interface

The goal of this phase is to compile your text and graphics content into your project. This segment includes all your previously created still images, graphics, and text. Implement the final design of your interface including button locations, backgrounds, imagery, typestyles. Your storyboards, which you completed will guide you in your rationale about where to position elements. This is where you begin to visually put your project together.

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Refer to each Project Sheet for the specific requirements of each phase
  • Refer to the Final Project Description for the specific requirements for the complete project
  • Refer to your flowchart and storyboard from Phases 1 and 2. These will be your guide to finishing you project
  • Begin thinking about video segments (storyboard)
  • Begin thinking about audio loops
  • Begin thinking about 3D animation (storyboard)
  • Select final scanned images and graphics
  • Import all above elements into Director
  • Create scenes in Director, using Frame Markers
  • Drag cast members onto stage at appropriate markers
  • Adjust sprite lengths in Score to fit correctly
  • Size, scale and adjust sprites on Stage to adapt to your design
  • Don't forget to leave places for your buttons

REQUIREMENTS

  • Size : 800 x 600 Director Project
  • Minimum Number of Markers : Home; 3-5 Sections, Credits, Explanation and Quit
  • Graphics
  • Photographs
  • Text
  • Interface

IMAGES

  • Background: Scanned, PhotoDisk, frame grabs or computer generated
  • Graphics: Fireworks, Photoshop, and Illustrator
  • Format: JPEG, Gif, PSD, PICT

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Director Project

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 100 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Following guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

  • Text
  • Images
  • Designing and producing

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PHASE 05 :: Navigation and Interactivity

The goal of this phase is to add necessary buttons, scenes, interactivity and navigation, then begin to test and debug your project

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Refer to your flowchart and storyboard. These will be your guide to finishing this phase
  • Create and add buttons using Director or other software
  • Create all necessary markers
  • Write appropriate frame scripts for each marker
  • Write appropriate button scripts for all buttons
  • Test and debug
  • Create Projector and test again

REQUIREMENTS

  • Navigation Buttons
  • Approriate Button and Frame scripts
  • Interactivity appropriate to the product
  • Correctly functioning Projector

IMAGES

  • List

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Director Project, Director projector and all component files

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 100 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Following guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

  • Designing and producing

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PHASE 06 :: Audio

The goal of this phase is to digitize and edit the audio media, music loops or other audio, necessary for your interactive project

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Determine where you will use audio. You might use audio in the background as a music loop, or a voice over.
  • Select an appropriate audio CD music track(s), compose an original score using appropriate software, or write a script
  • If writing an original script, prepare a Recording Log (obtain from instructor)
  • Digitize or record audio
  • Edit audio
  • Save in appropriate file format

REQUIREMENTS

  • Lyrics : Not Recommended
  • Compression : None
  • Format : Audio IFF (AIFF) or WAV files
  • Duration: Minimum two 15 sec. music loops
  • Media: Audio CD, created, or recorded voice

AUDIO

  • Sound: Music and/or voice
  • Captured, created and/or recorded
  • 16-bit/44khz Stereo
  • Saved as Audio IFF (AIFF) or WAV

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Digital Audio IFF (AIFF) Files
  • On PC (WAV) Files.

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 50 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Following guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

  • Chap 5

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PHASE 07 :: Video

The goal of this phase is to digitize and edit the video media necessary for your interactive project.

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Select an appropriate video program, still images, or determine whether you will shoot original footage.
  • If shooting original footage, prepare a Shot Log, storyboard, script. Download forms from instructors website
  • Shoot footage
  • Digitize video and background audio
  • Edit video
  • Render Quicktime movie(s)

REQUIREMENTS

Use the following specs for your final videos

  • Size : 320 x 240 Quicktime Movie
  • Compression : Sorenson 3 or MPEG 4
  • Specs : 15 fps; 500 Kbps;
  • Keyframe : Every 15 frames
  • Color Depth : Millions
  • Duration: Minimum two 20-second clips
  • Media: Photographs, graphics, video,

IMAGES

  • Stills: scanned, PhotoDisk, frame grabs or computer generated
  • Motion: captured from TV, VHS, DVD, shot on tape or DV, or computer generated
  • Graphics: Photoshop, Illustrator, 3D

AUDIO

  • Sound: Music and/or voice
  • Captured and/or recorded
  • 16-bit/44khz Stereo
  • Saved as Audio IFF (AIFF)

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Two Digital Quicktime Movies (320 x 240) with appropriate compression

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 50 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Following guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

  • Chapter 8

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PHASE 08 :: Animation

The goal of this phase is to model, render and animate a 3D animated movie for your interactive project.

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Select an appropriate place in your project to include a 3D animation. This may be a title treatment, a process, or an object
  • Storyboard the animation, taking into account models, lighting, text, and camera moves
  • Build each model and save as separate file
  • Import all models into final scene
  • Set the lighting in the final scene
  • Animate the appropriate elements
  • Render Quicktime movie
  • If audio is desired, import into Premier
  • Add Audio
  • Re-render in iMovie or Final Cut Express.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Size : 320 x 240 Quicktime Movie
  • Compression : LogoMotion=None/Premier=Sorenson 3
  • Specs : 15 fps; 500 Kbps
  • Keyframe : every 15 frames
  • Color Depth : Millions
  • Duration: Minimum one 15-second animation

IMAGES

  • Background: PICT file or use BG supplied

AUDIO

  • Added in Premier
  • Compression : None
  • Specs : 16-bit/44khz Stereo AIFF
  • Music and/or voice
  • Captured and/or recorded

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Quicktime movie

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 50 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Following guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

  • Chapter 7

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PHASE 09 :: Integration and Beta Testing

The goal of this phase is to continue, interactivity and navigation, then further test and debug your project.

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Refer to your flowchart and storyboard. These will be your guide to finishing this phase
  • Create and add buttons using Director or other software
  • Create all necessary markers
  • Write appropriate frame scripts for each marker
  • Write appropriate button scripts for all buttons
  • Test and debug
  • Create Projector and test again

REQUIREMENTS

  • Navigation Buttons
  • Approriate Button and Frame scripts
  • Interactivity appropriate to the product
  • Correctly functioning Projector
  • Size : 800 x 600 Director Project
  • Minimum Number of Markers : Home; 5 Sections, Credits, Explanation and Quit
  • Audio
  • Video
  • Graphics
  • Photographs
  • Text
  • Interface

IMAGES

  • Background: Scanned, PhotoDisk, frame grabs or computer generated
  • Graphics: Photoshop, Illustrator, 3D
  • Format: JPEG

FINAL OUTPUT

  • Director Project, Director projector and all component files

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 200 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Following guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

  • Designing and producing
  • DQS : Chapter

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PHASE 10 :: Burn CD / DVD

The goal of this phase is to create the final Projector and to burn the final CD-ROM or DVD of your project

DESIGN PROCESS

  • Create a Projector of your final project.
  • Insert a blank CD-R or DVD-R into the disk drive
  • Burn CD / DVD
  • Extra kudos for a CD Cover graphic.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Final Director Project
  • Director Projector
  • All Video files
  • All audio files
  • You should also archive all your project files

FINAL OUTPUT

  • CD-ROM or DVD
  • Make one copy for you, and one copy to hand in. Final projects will not be returned

FINAL PRESENTATION

  • CD / DVD for critique/grading
  • Make one copy for you, and one copy to hand in. Final projects will not be returned

EVALUATION

This phase is worth 100 Points toward your final grade. You will be evaluated on the following criteria

  • Technical proficiency
  • Integration of production elements
  • Overall aesthetic quality
  • Following guidelines
  • Meeting deadlines

DUE DATES

  • See Schedule

TEXT REFERENCE

  • Designing and producing
  • DQS : Chapter

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