Carol LaFayette, Associate Professor, Visualization Laboratory, Department of Architecture

BIOGRAPHY -- COURSES -- SCHEDULE -- ARTWORK -- MAIN -- VIZLAB

VIZA 644 -- REFERENCES -- STUDENT PAGES -- CALENDAR

 

VIZA 644 Time Based Media

Fall 2005
Friday, 9:10 - 12:20, C414
Carol LaFayette, Associate Professor
Office: Langford A-343
Prerequisite: VIZA 643 or approval of instructor
Office hours Tuesday and Thursday, 12-2 or by appointment: lurleen@viz.tamu.edu
Credit: 3 May be repeated once.

Teaching assistant: Brandi Dunn

Course calendar

Course Description

Advanced theory and production of artforms with motion, tempo, sequencing and duration as integral components. Projects may include in-depth creation using a single medium or may emphasize a combination of mediums such as video, audio, telecommunications, animation, performance, or installation.

Time Based Media examines new media and nontraditional forms that incorporate video. This is a studio class in which emphasis will be placed on the integration of video with mediums such as the Web, 3D modeling and animation, performance, and interactive installation. Evaluation is based on an individual presentation, a website that tracks research, and a single, comprehensive project that will be formulated through defined phases of research, experimentation, and production. Pushing the boundaries is strongly encouraged.

Course Content
The subject matter of your project is up to you. Past student projects include:
- A program that translates color and motion data from a digital video into MIDI data to create synced soundtracks
- A website that turns the CBS Nightly News into an artform
- An interactive environment
- A video in which audience interaction effects the story events
- A video made with low-budget spy cameras and postproduction effects
- An animated piece with motion tracking and 3D compositing
- A comprehensive 2D and/or 3D animation project
- A demo reel
Examples of past student projects can be found here :

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Evaluation

Individual Presentation
You will present one in-depth discussion, lasting 30 minutes, to the group. The subject of the presentation will be customized to your project and agreed upon in advance with your instructor. The presentation may take the form of a lecture, a review by an outside visitor, or an interview with someone in the field whose work is important to you. The individual presentation is a major part of your grade. You may substitute this presentation with a submission to an international competition with a deadline of no later than January 2005. This venue must be agreed upon in advance by you and your instructor.

Research Website
Your website will document ongoing research, for example, work in progress and examples of methods, processes, or tools that will help resolve the project. Email me the URL by week 3, and keep it current all semester. See the calendar section for guidelines on the website.

Work in progress
Bi-weekly, show the group your work in progress, and describe your objectives. We should see evidence of progress each time you share your work and we should be able to see how much time you spent on it since your last review. About 6-10 hours per week outside of class is expected.

Finished Project
Evaluation covers the overall quality of the final project, including conceptual interest, technical functionality, visual stunningness, a clear sense of the audience it is intended for, and other aspects specific to the type of work. For example, if it's abstract, is it visually engaging? If it's a narrative, is it well structured? If it's experimental, is it clear what you're trying to do?
Evaluation  
Individual Presentation 300
Research (website) 150
Process (biweekly reviews) 150
Finished project 400
Total 1000

Grading Scale
A / 1000 to 900 points / B ...900 to 800 points / C... 800 to 700 points

Course Calendar
September 2 9 16 23 30 October 7 14 21 28 November 4 11 18 25 30 December 2 5

After week 1 there will be a group discussion about your work. Please come to class prepared. Think of specific questions to ask people about your ideas, the effectiveness of your work, what might be changed or improved, or other questions that will help you solve problems. Don't worry about not knowing the answers to everything. The class works best when we share ideas and help each other.

Weeks 1 through 3 – Research and Proposal
Friday, September 2
Course introduction and discussion of your ideas.
Assignment: Next week, bring 3 examples of existing work that relates to your ideas.

Friday, September 9
Discuss 3 examples of existing work.

Assignment:
Create a website that tracks your idea, your research, and your working process.
This is a working journal and should be kept current.
Guidelines for the website:
1. Keep everything brief and modest in size.
2. One paragraph each that addresses three components: Form, Content, Method.
3. Images, videos, or other media – small in size. You can use multiple stills rather than video files.
4. Keep it current all semester.
5. Send me the URL for your site by email by Friday September 16.

Examples of past student sites can be found here:

2002 2003 2004

Weeks 4 through 15 – Work in progress
Continue to update your research and project work on the website
and bring completed stages to class for review every other week.

Friday, September 16
Websites due for review
.
Friday, September 23
Review, group 1

Friday, September 30
Individual presentation
Review, group 2

Friday, October 7
Individual presentation
Review, group 1

Friday, October 14
Individual presentation
Review, group 2

Friday, October 21
Individual presentation
Review, group 1

Friday, October 28
Individual presentation
Review, group 2

Friday, November 4
9:30 - 10
Joel presentation

10 - 10:30
Kac:
5-6-Tatsuya
7-Joel
8-Tammy

(break 15 min)

10:45 - 12:30 (~20 min each)
Group 1 work: (Eric-Singapore), Frank, Joel, Lauren, Jessica

Friday Nov 11
9:30 - 10
Lauren presentation

10-10:30
Brandi presentation

(break 15 min)

10:45 - 11
Kac:
9-10 - Frank
11 - Lauren
12 - Tammy

11 - 12:30 (~20 min ea)
Group 2: Brooke, Tammy, Tatsuya, Brandi

--

Friday Nov 18 MEET AT 9:15 in the
Conference room

9:15 - 9:45
Frank presentation

9:45 - 10:15
Brooke presentation

(break 10 min)

10:30 - 11
Kac:
13 - Eric
14 - Brandi
15 - Lauren
16 - Eric
debate: Jessica

11 - 12:40 (~20 min ea)
Group 1 work: Eric, Frank, Joel, Lauren, Jessica

Friday 2 Dec

9:30 - 10
Tatsuya presentation

10 - 10:30
Jessica presentation

(break 15 min)

10:45 - 12:30 (~20 min ea)
Group 2: Brooke, Tammy, Tatsuya, Brandi

Monday, Dec 5 (Friday class day)
Everyone presents finished work
Invite people

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