Finals Checklist

Finals Checklist:

On Wednesday, May 5th, please make sure you have the following items turned into the server. For each project, you should turn in two folders: 

• (1) a folder containing your logic pro files and
• (2) a folder containing any of the raw recording materials you have used on projects
• (3) a folder containing a typed document that has references to any sound files you used from online and their sources.
• (4) a folder containing the final .wav, .mp3, or .aif files for your projects. Bounce at least two, and make sure one of them is a .mp3 file just in case someone is unable to read the other file formats at home.

Listing of our projects are below. if you made multiple versions, change the filename to v1, v2, etc.

• Project 1: Your first production experiment. You were asked to use elements within logic pro to create a simple project of your choosing. Experiment with both audio files and software instrument files.
• final file name: [lastname_production1]
• Project 2: Your dialogue project. You were asked to record a piece of dialogue in the sound lab, and then select sounds and/or music to emphasize what is being said.
• final file name: [lastname_dialogue1]
• Project 3: Your silence project.  This project answers a simple question: How do you define "silence?" This was a chance to have you start building spaces with audio, and use your skills to curate a listening experience for yourself and others.
• final file name: [lastname_silence1]
• Project 4: Your first "long-format" project. This project was anything of your choosing. We worked multiple weeks on developing a focused audio piece.
• final file name: [lastname_yourprojectname] (include multiple versions if you made a V1, V2, or V3.
• Project 5: The Power of Context!  You recorded someone's voice, chopped it up into tiny pieces, and remade it into something new! You did two versions of this project, one of me, and one of a friend of yours.
• final file names: [lastname_remix1],  [lastname_projectname2]
• Project 6: Your Final Project!  This is a final project of your choosing.  Extra credit if you include some sort of visual element! Details are in the post below.
• final file names: [lastname_finalproject]
• if you did a visual element for extra credit, either photograph it, or render it somehow and include a file of it as [lastname_finalEC]
• ProjectX: Additional Extra Credit
• Any extra, nicely-produced audio samples you have created in your spare time should be exported, properly edited, and placed here for additional extra credit towards one(1) of your assignments during the semester! (by default, the assignment with the lowest grade, equivalent to 45% of a letter grade.)

FINAL PROJECT NOTES:

Using everything you have learned this semester, create a high-quality audio production of your choosing! Pick something that you have always wanted to create, or push your ideas into a new experimental avenue to try something new! You will have access to all of the tools we have in class. Feel free to bring any additional equipment from home that you may be interested in! Parameters are below:

Runtime: 2:30 seconds minimum. (Addendum: You can do a shorter runtime on a case-by-case basis, but you have to run your idea by me first!)

Subject: Anything you choose! Ideas to help narrow down your focus:

• a more refined version of your large project from the middle of the semester.
• Buintegrate what you have currently learned into some art you have made in another class or outside of class.
• *EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE THAT ADDS A VISUAL ELEMENT TO THIS AUDIO PROJECT. Credit is equal to 1/2 a letter grade! (difference between a B and a B+, a B+ and an A-, etc.)
• A piece of music.
• Remix found audio you have found from an outside source. (Royalty free music or audio clips available under a creative commons license.

I will grade based on the following:

• Sound EQ:  Levels and volume are properly managed. Mastering work is done to improve the overall quality of your audio.
• Elimination of artifacts:  Noise pops, moments that are too loud or too soft, abrupt cuts (unless otherwise directed, etc.)
• Audio presentation and upkeep: How do you start it? End it? How do you divide your project sections up? Any boring areas? How do you keep it interesting throughout?

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:

This weekend: Record!

Next week: Produce!

April 29th: Final Class! Present your final!

Project 5: The Power of Context!

Record a story from someone. Use their voice, then edit their story to change what is being said. Build something else from it! Utilize the power of context!

Get permission from your friend to change the story. These projects will not be copy-written and do not need to be posted online.  Take the words of the story and change them around to tell a brand new story. Can use sound effects and music and the like to enhance your story.

Caveats:

The story they tell should be about 4 or 5 minutes in length, and the questions you ask should have good answers that aren’t *too long*

• The story could be about anything you choose, but you *must* make sure the person knows you will be taking their verbiage and changing it up. 
• During the interview: You are allowed to ask six questions about the story to get some additional footage to work with.

Begin recording between this week and Monday! If you plan on recording in class on monday, have the 6 questions you plan to ask and a plan for your project next week!

Audio Checkout:

Bryan: One Windscreen

Jonathan and Sarah:  Audio Kits 1 and 2

Class Cancelled

Hey Class!  I got unlucky with the changing weather. 

On the bright side, I should be better in time for Wednesday.  I know, in your respective class, we're continuing a big project we're working on. For now, consider today to be a day where you have a little extra time to wrap up any progress you were making on your projects over spring break. Wednesday will be a day where I'll review everything you've worked on so far, and help steer you in the right direction for what comes next.

Tuesday, (instead of today,) I'll drop information across all class blogs for you, just to help prepare for the following next steps of our projects:

AN225: Layout and Character Animation.

AN310: 3D Batch Rendering and Filming with Manual 3-D Cameras

AN299: Mastering Audio, Non-Linear Editing, Mastering, and Distribution

Apologies for not being able to see how refreshed everyone is after spring break! I look forward to seeing all of you again soon!

~Shaw

Homework for Monday, March 18th!

Record your assets and begin production!  Whether you're making a podcast, building a music track, creating sounds for a film, or otherwise, gather the assets you need to make your next project! On the Monday after spring break, we will edit your V1 of this project, and determine what needs to be further recorded.

All students are allowed to use our sound booth for group recordings during class as well. If you have people you would like to bring to class monday ahead of time, let me know so I can properly schedule time for you to do what you need to do.  Otherwise, begin working on your audio project, and continue making steady progress!

Checkout list for each audio kit: 


Esme and Jonathan:  Audio Kit 1 (Hand-off estimated for Wednesday)
Bryan: Kit 2
Maddie: Kit 3

Please remember to charge all equipment before coming to class!

Homework for Monday, March 4th

Conduct research and recordings for your next project! Find samples of other audio productions that relate to your goal, and bring them in for review! Pay attention to the following:

• How the audio selection is introduced! (music? Sound effects? A wide sound that sets the tone for everything else that follows? (called an audio sting)
• How is our interest maintained? How do they keep our attention?
• Structure: How is the audio sequence divided up? Can you identify clear sections that repeat, vary widely, or alternate?  Is there a clear "format" of this audio selection?
• by "format" I mean, is the audio intentionally divided into sections, or is it all considered one consistent piece and one consistent idea?
• Finding the format of your audio selection may take listening to it a couple times.

Group Discussion Notes:

Please make note of the following!

In each project:

• Subject matter: On topic?
• Listening experience: Is there variety in what is heard? Does it loop? Is there anything that can be done to improve the overall experience?
• Sound depth:  The simulation of distance, space, and acoustics in your film.
• Mastering and audio balance:
• Volume
• Frequency of the audio (vibrations?)
• Left and Right Speakers (Directional sound)
• Effects?
• Then share some ideas for what you would like to do for your next project!
• Brainstorm some recording strategies for a 2-3 week audio project where you will be developing a complete production of your choosing!
• Make a copy of these notes, then save them on the server in your respective folder!