CTIN 594B: Advanced Interactive Project
Spring 2009
Location: IMD Student Studio Space
Time: Wednesdays 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Anne Balsamo
abalsamo@cinema.usc.edu
Office: IMD Co-Design Lab (Flower Street)
Office Hours: 11-1:00 Wednesdays, or by appointment
415-336-3138 (mobile)
Course Description and Goals
CTIN 594b is the second half of CTIN 594ab, a two semester sequenced course in which third year IMD MFA students are to complete the concept development, production, final documentation and testing of an advanced interactive project culminating in a thesis paper, presentation, and final show. While each project may have several students working in different production or programming capacities, all final controls and decision-making will be the responsibility of the enrolled third year MFA candidate. Along with the faculty supervisor, each MFA candidate student should have already compiled an approved Thesis Committee consisting of a Thesis Supervisor and at least two other participants. The advanced project is not only a portfolio project which demonstrates the student’s technical, creative and managerial skills in creating an interactive project, but also should provide a significant contribution to the body of existing interactive media works.
Final deliverables include:
• Completion of thesis project that includes full functionality and final content;
• Exhibition of thesis project in a project-specific venue;
• One internal and one public presentation of their thesis project;
• Final draft of a thesis paper suitable for publication.
The thesis project is expected to both a technical and a creative achievement that integrates the exploration of new and novel media technologies with compelling and expressive content. Although the lines between technology and content are complex, students are expected to be mindful of both elements and will be assessed accordingly.
Students are further expected to be responsible for documentation and articulation of their thesis project into the corpus of academic scholarship, to both demonstrate “on whose shoulders” their work is built and to “leave a trail” for others pursuing similar work. Students will accordingly be assessed for the contribution in the field through their ability to exhibit, present, and write about their thesis project.
Students are expected to have regular contact with each member of their Thesis Committee, sending them email updates at least once a month through the course of the semester. Students are expected to meet together weekly for production updates and for sharing common information. They are also expected to attend the weekly 511 seminars.
Grading Structure
Grades will be assigned after completion of the project at the end of the second (b) semester as follows:
Creative Execution.................................................................25%
Technical Execution................................................................25%
Contribution to Field...............................................................25%
Collaborative Contribution and Participation in Final Show.................25%
Attendance
Attendance at all classes is mandatory. Punctuality is also expected. Two unexcused absences may lower one's grade a full point while three unexcused absences may lower one's grade two full points. Four or more unexcused absences may result in a request by the instructor for the student to withdraw from the course.
Class Meetings
Students will initially meet weekly as a group during the allocated class time, for lectures, presentations, and discussion. As the semester progresses, the allocated class time may be tailored more for one-on-one meetings and for studio-style work.
USC Supplied Facilities
USC will supply lab space and facilities as available. Generic computer hardware and software and internet access will be provided as available. Students will be required to secure and supply at his or her own expense all project specific hardware, software, bandwidth, etc. as well as non-USC supplied facilities if required
Ownership
Consistent with the policies of USC and the School of Cinematic Arts.
Additional Crew Members
Students may use additional crew members not enrolled in CTIN 594b subject to the approval of faculty. It is specifically intended that students seek out qualified students in other programs and other schools at USC who might bring unique and needed skill to the creative process. It is also intended that students seek out first or second year Interactive MFA students. All projects are required to keep an updated approved crew list that will determine access to USC supplied facilities and equipment.
Missing an Exam, Incompletes
The only acceptable excuses for taking an incomplete in the course are personal illnesses or a family emergency. Students must inform the professor before the final exam week and present verifiable evidence in order for make-up evaluation to be scheduled. Students who with to take incompletes must also present documentation of the problem to the instructor before final grades are due.
Academic Integrity
The School of Cinematic Arts expects the highest standards of academic excellence and ethical performance from USC students. It is particularly important that you are aware of and avoid plagiarism, cheating on exams, submitting a paper to more than one instructor, or submitting a paper authored by anyone other than yourself. Violations of this policy will result in a failing grade and be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. If you have any doubts or questions about these policies, consult “SCAMPUS” and/or confer with the Professor or Department Chair.
Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure that the letter is delivered to the Professor as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30am – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
Thesis Paper and Project Deadlines
CLASS SESSIONS /KEY ACTIVITIES/DELIVERABLES
1/14/09
First Day of Class
Discussion on Thesis Preparation Process
1/21/09
Meet w/Space Designer
Production Plan Document Assigned
Go Over Thesis Paper Outline
DELIVERABLES:
Project Title
Project Descriptions
1/28/09
Crit #1
Guest Critics TBD
SET Drop dead date for user testing (3/4/09)
DELIVERABLES:
Production Plans Due
Upload onto class wiki
2/4/09
Crit #2
Guest Critics TBD
DELIVERABLES
Thesis Paper Outline Due
Detailed Production Schedule
Contribution to Field
Prior Art Identified
Example of Relevant Genre as Publication model
2/11/09
Crit #3
Guest Critic: Michael Renov, Assoc Dean, SCA
Hands On User Testing
2/18/09
Crit #4
Guest Critics TBD
Hands On User Testing
2/25/09
Crit #5
Guest Critics TBD
Hands on User Testing
DELIVERABLES
Draft #1 of Thesis: Distribute to Thesis Advisor and Committee members
3/04/09
Individual Meetings w/Anne regarding research
3/11/09
Project Team Meetings
Obtain Feedback from Thesis Advisor
DELIVERABLES
Detailed Production Updates
Thesis Show Submission Doc
March 14-22, 2009 Spring Break
March 23-27, 2009 GAME DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE
3/25/09
Thesis Papers Uploaded
DELIVERABLES
Thesis Paper DUE
3/30/09 Formal Thesis Presentations 9:30 am until its done
NOTE: IMD Faculty will determine Thesis Show participants based on progress to date
4/1/09
Determine Show Title
Look N Feel
Architectural treatment
Art work/Signage
DELIVERABLES
Final Titles
Key Image Provided
Final Text for handouts
SPACE CLEAN OUT/All Hands Clean Up
4/8/09
Final Space Treatment
Demos of Show Application
Finalize all art/PR materials
DELIVERABLES
Detailed Equipment List
4/15/09
Move into Lucas Gallery
Determine light/sound issues
DELIVERABLES
Final Lock of Application
Show Application Done
4/22/09
Continue Space Transformation
4/29/09
Dry run with real technology
Drop Dead Day
Demo in Exhibit Space
5/6/09
Final Show Preparation
Final Exam Week
Handouts created
May 9, 2009 Thesis Show Opens
May 9-14, 2009 Final Thesis Show
Formal Presentations of Thesis Projects during show
5/14/09
Thesis Show Closing
5/15/09
Commencement