While project ideas continue to be refined throughout the semester, no later than mid-semester, students are required to begin producing key components or assets of their indivudual projects; these may include, but are not limited to, models, scripts, and sound tracks.
The imitator dooms himself to hopeless mediocrity.(Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Projects have to reflect each individual student’s skill level. Acceptable types of projects include 2D and 3D animation, 2D and 3D interactive games, 3D special effects, 2D imaging and print, digital video, interactive installation/environments and new media.
Students are also encouraged to mix media and to borrow from other disciplines. The works of many successful contemporary artists are multidisciplinary and combine technology with traditional media, from painting to fiber arts. Students are also encouraged to look department and campus wide for inspiration. For example, the department's 3D printer lends itself to sculptural projects.
Students are advised that the demonstration of technical skill does not make a successful Senior Project. During critiques, the department is also looking for content and original ideas that engage the viewer and are expressive.
Students are expected to visit galleries and museums and/or attend art events throughout the semester. Inspiration rarely hits when staring at the screen -- get out and look at work. Read. Watch. Discuss and engage.
Collaborative Projects are encouraged, so long as each student can clearly demonstrate his/her expertise in a given area, that the work will be divided evenly, that each individual's workload is the equivalent of an individual senior project, and that responsibilities are clearly delineated prior to project approval by instructor.
Each student will present his/her project – ideas and concepts – to the class. In addition to the instructor, the class will actively participate in providing critical feedback. When preparing presentations, students are expected to:
- follow the sample presentation given in class
- demonstrate expertise in a given medium
- demonstrate an awareness of an art historical context for the planned project (i.e., what types of work have been produced in any given genre/medium?)
Students further have to adhere to the following requirements:
Students are required to seek approval from the instructor by the 5th week of the semester. Once approved, concepts may not be changed without permission from the instructor. Modifications may be made up to the 9th week (midterm presentations), at which point the student will receive feedback from other Senior Project Faculty. After the 9th week, written permission must be obtained by the department chair to change a project.
After the midterm presentations, students will continue to refine their project ideas and simultaneously begin to create key components/assets of their project. In other words, the second part of the semester is dedicated to project development as well as project execution.
In addition to regular in-class presentation, students will give two formal presentations of their developing Senior Projects to the department, faculty and peers. For the presentations to the department, students are expected to:
- carefully time their presentations
- test and rehearse their presentations beforehand
- predominantly use images of their own making in the visualization of their projects
Students will develop a comprehensive plan and timeline for their projects, and produce documentation of all work related to the pre-production (planning) and early production phase of their Senior Project. This documentation will be handed in by the student in a "Production Notebook" one week prior to midterm presentations, and one week prior to the final presentations to the committee.
Students who are working in time-based media should create works ranging from one to four minutes in length. For a 3D animation produced by a single student, a length of no more than 2 minutes is recommended. Non-linear works should be designed to feature primary interaction play times of two to four minutes. Works of longer duration must be approved by the instructor. For projects that have been approved to be longer than 5 minutes, a shorter "trailer" of the project must be included for submission in the Pratt Show. Pending the discretion of the faculty, longer works may not be accepted because of limited programming space or out of consideration for maintaining equitable viewing times.
Translate ideas and concepts into a cohesive and well-planned project.
Develop a student's creative, technical, planning and presentation abilities.
Familiarize the student with the (art) production process.
Plan and begin production of a centerpiece of their professional portfolio.
Upon completion, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate working knowledge of the process and required steps in the production of a senior project
2. Document completion of each step in the pre-production phase of Senior Project
3. Demonstrate enhanced presentation and communication skills
4. Document the creative and conceptual evolution of Senior Project
5. Provide a plan to complete a fully realized senior project in the time allotted
WEEK 1
Jan 20th
We will discuss your ideas so far and, in general term, concept development. What makes for a strong concept (independent of medium)? We'll also look at a few ideas and screen some work.
Students are expected to visit a gallery, museum, or attend and art event of their choice before class meets next. Reflect, take some notes... Also, for next week, purchase an art magazine/publication of choice; bring it to class.
WEEK 2
Jan 27th
Review/discussion of ideas
What is an abstract? Writing about content/concept vs. describing what happens...
Presentation schedule & review of presentation requirements
Discussion of presentation format/content
Review of well-designed presentation examples
Screening of (mostly) traditional narrative concepts in time-based media
Also... the works of Char Davies, Amy Alexander, Jenny Marketou, Camille Utterback...
WEEK 3
Feb 3rd
Review/discussion of ideas
Screening of works: Madam Tutli- Putli, Never Like the First Time, Suzie Templeton's work
A look at Danile Rozin's work
Students are expected to visit a gallery, museum, or attend and art event of their choice before class meets next. Reflect, take some notes...
WEEK 4
Feb 10th
Review/discussion of ideas
Consider output format: print, screen, hand held device, twitter site?
Preparing your presentation, looking at examples
Concept Pitch
WEEK 5
Feb 17
Formal Concept Pitches in class: critique
Presentation tips and techniques
Visual Elements of Pre-Production
Thinking it through: structuring a project, structuring the execution of a project
(How long will it take? Three Times as Long!)
WEEK 6
Feb 24th
The role of sound/sound elements in time-based media: Dialog, VO, Effects, Foley, Music, Scratch Tracks
We will be discussing: continued research venues, your storyboard/animatic...
Next week, your production notebooks are due.
WEEK 7
Mar 3rd
Formal mid-term presentations to the department & faculty committee are scheduled for:
Monday, March 8th (arrive early to test your work and get ready)
Formal presentations will be 5 minutes in length, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A.
All students must be present from beginning of the session.
We are practicing and critiquing presentations in E2.
Production Notebooks due:
Include preliminary production schedule, concept planning and pre-production materials
WEEK 8
Mar 10th
Students will be advised of their midterm grade in writing.
WEEK 9
Mar 24th
Group Meeting
Begin developing a 20 to 30-second test sequence incorporating the most critical features of proposed project.
WEEK 10
Mar 31th
Individual Meetings
02:00 -- 02:25 PM Joshua
02:25 -- 02:50 PM Serena
02:50 -- 03:15 PM Loris
03:15 -- 03:30 BREAK
03:30 - -03:55 PM Shayla
03:55 -- 04:20 PM Shariff
04:20 -- 04:45 PM Brandon
WEEK 11
Apr 7th
Group Meeting
Students present work-in-progress on 20 to 30-second prototypes. Class critique.
WEEK 12
Apr 14th
Individual Meetings
02:00 -- 02:25 PM Joshua
02:25 -- 02:50 PM Serena
02:50 -- 03:15 PM Loris
03:15 -- 03:30 BREAK
03:30 - -03:55 PM Shayla
03:55 -- 04:20 PM Shariff
04:20 -- 04:45 PM Brandon
WEEK 13
Apr 21st
Group Meeting
Pre-Production Materials Finalized
Review and critique of animatic and visualization materials
Review and critique of time lines and resource plans
WEEK 14
Apr 28th
Group Meeting
Production Notebooks are due
We'll rehearse final presentations
WEEK 15
May 5th
Final presentations to the department & faculty committee:
(arrive early to test your work and get ready)
Summer Production Commences.
Suggested reading:
Ideas for the Animated Short with DVD: Finding and Building Stories, Kate Alexander (Author), Karen Sullivan (Author), Gary Schumer (Author), 2008,
ISBN: 0240808606
Film Directing Shot by Shot, Steven D. Katz, Michael Wiese Productions, 1991,
ISBN: 0-941188-10-8
Setting Up Your Shots, Jeremy Vineyard, Michael Wiese Productions, 1999,
ISBN:0-941188-73-6
The Art of Storyboarding, John Hart, Focal Press, 1999,
ISBN: 0-240-80329-9
Exploring Storyboarding, Wendy Tumminello, Thomson Delmar Learning, 2005,
ISBN: 1-4018-2715-2
Storyboards Motion In Art, Second Edition, Mark Simon,Focal Press, 2000,
ISBN: 0-240-80374-4
Inspired 3D Short Film Production, Jeremy Cantor and Pepe Valencia, Thomson Course Technology,2004, ISBN 1-59200-117-3
The Writer's Journey. Christopher Vogler. Michael Wiese Productions.
ISBN: 0941188701
Suggested reading for interactive projects:
Flow. Mihaly Csikszentmihaly. Harper. ISBN: 0060920432.
A Pattern Language. Alexander, Ishikawa, Silverstein and others. Oxford 1977
Digital Art. Christiane Paul. Thames & Hudson. 2003. ISBN: 0500203679
Creative Code: Aesthetics and Computation. John Maeda. Thames & Hudson. 2004. ISBN: 0500285179
To pursue a project you must establish, to the satisfaction of your instructor that you are sufficiently proficient with the required media, tools, and techniques, and that you can complete the project with in the time allotted.
An INC grade will not be granted simply because work is not completed. It is intended only for documented illness or extraordinary hardship.
Students are expected to document the progress of their work, by maintaining a sketchbook and production notebook. The production notebook represents a structured compliment to your sketchbook.
Sketchbook:
Your sketchbook is for free thought and expressive contemplation of your artistic practice. Elements from the sketchbook that become crucial to your project's production are to be photocopied and placed into your production notebook.
Production Notebook:
The function of the production notebook is to keep accurate track and permanent record of what went into creating your project.
Production Notebook specs:
1.5", 8.5 x ll three ring view binder with clear sheet protectors (do not hole punch presentation documents) with 3 ring CD /DVD disc holder. (An electronic equivalent of the production notebook must be maintained for on-screen presentation in addition to presentation of animatics, fly-throughs, motion tests, play blasts etc.)
While the contents of your production notebook will vary depending on the nature and scope of your project, (see bleow for details) here are typical elements most production notebooks will include:
1. Cover (including project title and contact information)
Dividers:
2. Contact sheet (contact info for all people needed to complete project)
3. Concept (keep all incarnations of project proposal, including script, research, story back story)
4. Concept Art (sketches, diary notes, color scripts, inspirational materials, reference)
5. Storyboards and Diagrams (boards, floor plans, user-centric flow charts)
6. Production Elements (character bibles, photo reference, feature specifications)
7. Production Notes (documents, shot breakdowns, critique notes, render/computation time)
8. Production Schedule (calendar time line, keep track of proposed as well as actual times)
9. Budget
10. CD/DVD disc holder (animatic, fly-throughs, motion tests, play blasts etc.)
Mid-semseter and End of Semester Presentations:
You will be making an audio/visual presentation of your work to date to your peers and faculty. You are responsible for presenting your work in a professional manner. This includes preparing and testing all presented materials in the designated room prior to the start of presentations. You are expected to present your mounted storyboards, concept boards, flowcharts, and other items that illustrate your project idea, progress and methodology.
Your attendance is mandatory for the entirety of all presentations.
Presentation Breakdown:
Each student is allotted 15 minutes to present their work to date:
This includes 5 minutes to present his/her project, followed by up to 10 minutes Q&A.
The 5 minute presentation includes:
Introduction
Audio-visual of proposed/in-progress/completed work
(storyboard, animatic, flowchart)
Show/tell research
Show/tell planning (timeline)
Show/tell qualifications (examples, course taken, planned)
PROJECT GUIDELINES
Specific content requirements of the Production Notebook and deliverables for the completed Senior Project vary depending on the type of project proposed. Please note that these are general guidelines and that not all possible types of projects are listed here. If you project involved a multidisciplinary appraoch, we will discuss the contents of your notebook. In general, the idea is for a notebook to document project ideas and processes involved.
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For students creating 3D narrative content, such as a 3D short animated films.
If creating a 3D animated project it is highly recommended that your project contain only a few characters, and that it is limited to 2 locations, due to the time constraints of senior project. Completed Senior Projects are expected to be professionally rendered in linear video form (both DVD and miniDV) plus still images of key scenes, along with design notes, mounted design sketches, final renders, and model sheets as appropriate.
Students creating a 3D projects for Senior Project will complete the following for their Pre-production notebook:
3D Short Film:
1. Synopsis - Summary Statement describing film
2. Research: related works/visual reference
3. Story/Script
4. Character Model Sheets/ Concept Sketches
5. Background Concept Sketches/Aerial Plans
6. Storyboard
7. Animatic
8. Production plan/time line with schedule
9. Budget
For students creating Physical Interactive/Generative Objects or Installations, Screen-based Interactions, or Games or Interactive Environments.
Students are strongly encouraged to design works whose intended core interaction time is two to four minutes. Self-running pieces should also exhibit behavior of interest within this time period. Works of longer running time are permissible but must be approved by the instructor, with consideration given for both the student's scope of work and also the viewing time demanded of reviewers. Other project requirements will be specified in class.
Completed Senior Projects are expected to be professionally documented in linear video form and in still photographs, along with design notes, mounted design sketches, final renders, and screen shots as appropriate. A CD-ROM or DVD-R with a playable run-time version, and the open code, is also required as appropriate to the project. Web-based projects should be provided in a version that can run locally, if at all possible.
For these interactive project categories, students will complete the following for their Pre-production notebook:
Interactive Environments
1. Summary statement describing the work (format, theme)
2. Back Story, Character bios, Genre/world description
3. Statement of similar works researched, artistic influences
4. Model sheets (a set for each motion element)
- poses and sketches, style research
5. Environment map(s)
- plans & elevations (in sketch form)
- sample textures, style research
6. Design spec
- anticipated project tasks along a timeline
- features of interaction
- rules & scoring
- asset inventory (eg: textures, sounds, onscreen text)
- development platform(s) and why chosen
7. Storyboard of typical game scene, with challenges/obstacles/outcomes
8. Interaction flow chart
9. Demo of proposed interaction (may be hard-wired)
10. Trial renders and character animations (using polygonal models)
11. Student statement of anticipated challenges to come during production
Screen-based Interactions
1. Summary statement describing the work (format, theme)
2. Statement of similar works researched, artistic influences
3. Description of intended audience/typical player
4. Design goals, including intended effect on the user/visitor
5. Design specification
- anticipated project tasks along a timeline
- features of the interaction
- required asset inventory (eg: textures, sounds, onscreen text)
- development platform(s) and why chosen
6. Interface sketches, prototype design explorations, sample key final screens
7. Interaction flow chart
8. Flowboard of typical screen sequence with description of typical user pathway through the project
9. Technology testbed(s) and live feature demonstration(s)
10. Student statement of anticipated challenges to come during production
Physical Interactive/Generative Objects or Installations
1. Summary statement describing the work (format, theme)
2. Statement of similar works researched, artistic influences
3. Description of intended audience/typical player
4. Design goals, including intended effect on the user/visitor
5. Design specification
- anticipated project tasks along a timeline
- features of the interaction
- required asset inventory (eg: materials, special tools, technology)
- development platform(s) and why chosen
6. Object/space sketches, blueprints, prototype design explorations
7. Physical prototype
8. Interaction/logic flow chart, including typical visitor participation
9. Technology testbed(s) and live feature demonstration(s)
10. Student statement of anticipated challenges to come during production
Particular details appropriate to a given student's project will be determined by the instructor.
Attendance is mandatory: three classes missed will result in a failure; two latenesses of 15 minutes or more are equal to one absence. Evaluation is based on quality of work, positive contribution to discussion and critique, and effort.
(Please note that this course only runs in the spring. Thus, failing this course will delay your graduation not by one but by two semester.)
Evaluation of pre-production materials will include evaluation of the project itself, the production notebook, completion and quality of its delivery into various formats, including packaging and accompanying materials. The documentation of your project idea, development, execution, and finalization will demonstrate your creative and technical abilities, and most importantly, your ability to realize and finalize ideas while adhering to deadlines.
Your mid-term and final presentation will be evaluated on the basis of the quality and professionalism of the presentation. This includes the presentation materials (both visual materials, projected and physical), verbal presentation (i.e. cohesive, informative, engaging, ability to field questions and criticism) and maximum use and delivery within the 10 minutes allotted.
Please remember that a 'C' describes work that successfully fulfilled the assigned requirements; a 'B' distinguishes work that is above average; and an 'A' describes work that it outstanding.
Objectives of the class must be met in order to pass the class.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Pratt Institute considers Academic Integrity highly important. Instances of cheating, plagiarism, and wrongful use of intellectual property will not be tolerated.
- Faculty members will report each incident to the registrar for inclusion in studentsí files.
- More than one report to the registrar during a studentís program of study at Pratt will result in a hearing before the Academic Integrity Board, at which time appropriate sanctions will be decided. These may include dismissal from the Institute.
- The nature and severity of the infraction will be determined by faculty members who can: ask students to repeat an assignment, fail students on the assignment, fail students in the course and/or refer the incident to the Academic Integrity Board.
For more details about these procedures please see the Pratt Student Handbook, the Pratt Bulletins, and the pamphlet entitled Judicial Procedures at Pratt.
CHEATING
If students use dishonest methods to fulfill course requirements, they are cheating. Examples of this include, but are not limited to:
- Obtaining or offering copies of exams or information about the content of exams in advance.
- Bringing notes in any form to a closed book exam.
- Looking at another studentís paper during an exam.
- Receiving or communicating any information from or to another student during an exam.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is a bit more complicated, but the rules of documentation and citation are very specific and are tailored to different academic disciplines. Types of plagiarism include:
- Including any material from any source other than you in a paper or project without proper attribution. This includes material from the Internet, books, papers, or projects by other students, and from any other source.
- Using your own work to fulfill requirements for more than one course
- The extensive use of the ideas of others in your work without proper attribution.
- Turning in work done by another person or a fellow student as oneís own.
Please remember that all work must be the studentís own. If it is not, the source should be cited and documented appropriately.
If there are aspects of this statement that are not understood, ask faculty members for help.