Michael Naimark

First - REMINDER TO CONTACT YOUR THESIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS WITH YOUR MONTHLY UPDATE BEFORE NEXT CLASS, and let me know.

For next class, Marientina will again attend the first half, and Perry if he’s available. Please be prepared to continue discussion about exhibition details - any and all. Things WILL get crazier and crazier so NOW is the time to plan smart.

The second half of class we’ll continue on updates for your projects, presentations, and papers again.

Posted by at 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please have written specifications of your equipment needs for thesis exhibits, including schedule for when you need what and ideal/minimal scenarios. Do not assume anything (e.g., projectors need screens, or at least white walls) (e.g., special lighting requires special lights). Please include:
- off-shelf hardware such as computers and projectors
- custom equipment
- other items such as props, signs, and furnishings

We’ll spend the first half of class, with Marientina and Perry, adding everything up and agreeing on strategies to make this happen.

The second half of class will be production updates. Please be prepared to briefly present where things stand and how it compares to your plan.

Posted by at 4:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First, apologies for not posting sooner. No word yet on 555 23rd Street but work on it apparently continues. Regardless, we will almost certainly have our show in the Zemeckis studio so let's plan accordingly.

For next class:

1) Please POST your Exhibition Specifications NO LATER THAN next class and be prepared to spend 5-10 minutes presenting it. The layout you all did with Andrew last term is a good starting point. One goal is to organize and coordinate our thoughts to we can present them to Perry and Marientina in one of the next classes.

2) Please think about PR/promotion/marketing. Everyone is encouraged to contact Julie, who is our point person for this. Like 1), a goal is to organize and coordinate our thoughts to we can present them to John Zollinger, hopefully in one of the next classes.

3) Please be prepared to give a brief production update on all fronts. We'll be doing this every week from now on.

Posted by at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From our syllabus: "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."

Please email your thesis committee members updates, and CC me, monthly with the first one due no later than 6pm Monday Feb 6.

It can be brief and simple, saying that you are keeping them updated and would be grateful for any comments.

Posted by at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As mentioned last week, for our next class we will postpone Exhibition Specifications and concentrate entirely on Paper Outlines. For next week's class, please be prepared to present TITLE, ABSTRACT, KEYWORDS, AND OUTLINE for your paper.

Some loose guidelines for the paper itself:

--- You may wish to think about your paper having 3 main sections:

1) Motivation - why did you decide to do this? what's interesting and new?
2) Description - this is the main "body" and will likely be subdivided into several sections such as concept, technology, implementation, etc., depending on your project.
3) Feedback, Conclusions, or Future Directions - what you've learned during the process and where it might go next.

--- Shoot for a 10 page paper with 4-6 photos. The final paper will have a title, abstract, keywords, text, acknowledgements, and references.

--- You may wish to write for a target audience, e.g., where you would really like it to appear.

As with the past assignments, comparing notes with each other has proven to be very valuable.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Next class is entirely* on “Contribution to the Field.” Please be prepared to give a 10 minute presentation on the following regarding your thesis project:

1) One-Liner

A short single sentence describing your project to a general audience (e.g., to a newspaper reporter or on camera for television).

2) Keywords

Googling (or using Wikipedia, Yahoo, Flickr, del.icio.us) is all about how you combine keywords, and how you use quotes, in searches. Since all of your projects are complex, you will find that different keyword searches will uncover different relevant results.

3) Similar Work (past and current)

URLs for projects, writings, products, etc., that have some element of similarity to your project, including past and historical examples.

Though this assignment is important to understand where your project fits into “contribution to the field,” it’s also practical: You need to be ready for anyone who asks “Isn’t this like XXXXX?” or “How far back does this idea go?” Again, since all of your projects are complex, you won’t find examples exactly like yours (better not!) but work related in some way - perhaps entailing one of your components or an earlier attempt at something similar but with older technology.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have and questions.

-M

*Jenova and Michael will also present their Production Documents.

Posted by at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The game plan today is for everyone to discuss their Production Document. I’m less interested in the Perfect Plan as I am in comparing notes with each other. This is a working session with the objective of sharing and helping each other.

By the way, in terms of balancing protocol and reality, I expect everyone present, on time, and sitting together at the big table. What you do with your laptop (and your attention) is your own business (though may affect your grade).

Fair?

-M

Posted by at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thank you for your input during class 1 regarding syllabus v0.9. The final syllabus is here, and final.

-M

Posted by at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)