CLASSES: CAP 4403 and CAP 6402

PROJECT 5: Machinima

DUE DATE: April 28, 2008 @ 1:55PM

ISLAND CLEAN DATE: May 2, 2008

LATEST DRAFT of this document: March 19, 2008

• Concept: Software Aesthetics: Software is defined as the "bit oriented" non-hardware structures found in a computer. A primitive form of software is data. More complex forms are data structures. Both data and data structures are commonly referred to as information, which is also associated with databases. Other types of software include expressions and program structures (or processes). When software captures an element of the real world, it is often "modeled", so one sees information,software, and dynamic models. The purpose of software aesthetics is to explore the diverse forms of human interaction possible for software representation through creative, and artistically-motivated means. Software is viewed as a design product and has strong elements of form as well as function. We are exploring a continuum in between pure functionality (i.e, conventional diagram) and pure art (i.e., non-functionality).
• Purpose: The purpose of this project is to take what you have learned from the previous projects and create a Machinima movie using artifact from Project # 4. You will use the slant of the news articles chosen for Project # 4 and create a movie that sells the audience on this news story, including Project # 4 as a dynamic prop (i.e., if Project # 4 is a sculpture) or space (i.e., if Project # 4 is an architectural or theatrical space) inside of the movie.
• To do:
  • The research, design and remaining components (i.e., setting permissions) from projects 2, 3, and 4 remain the same for this project.
  • You will need to create a movie:
    • Create a storyboard around project # 4
    • Define and develop the characters (actors in your team, or volunteer actors from the class)
    • Script the narrative around the syntax and semantics of the project # 4 object.
    • Make a movie of between 2 and 5 minutes in two formats:
      • Format 1: 640x480 @ 30fps using a standard codec to be put on a DVD
      • Format 2: whatever format works for YouTube (submit to YouTube and put on the DVD)
  • How to make a movie:
    • Storyboard: You first need a storyboard that defines the action, the characters, and the plot -- centering on your project # 4.
    • Action: To set up the animation itself, use Filming Path, which may be purchased (just over $5US).
    • Record: To do the video screen capture, FRAPS is a good program ($37US).
    • Audio: Audacity and R8Brain Make sure to normalize or amplify your sounds so that they all maintain the same levels. When dubbing your voice, use a head-mounted mic, and place the mic below your chin to avoid pops and hisses. Never record your voice without reading from a script.
    • Sequence: you will need to stitch videos together. Windows Movie Maker is part of XP and Vista, and can be freely used. It can generate titles, and do transitions.
    • Post-Process: post processing a video to get it into the right format can be done with SUPER.
  • Grade:
    • The grade is based on the quality of the model in Project # 4 as well as how well the video was made.
    • Pay attention to detail. Are your models and other objects fully texture mapped? Look atthe colors, textures, materials, lighting, and other object properties.
    • Pay attention to quality. Are you proud of the movie, and would you want to show it off to others?
    • Based on the quality of the project as it compares with the total population of student projects that are delivered
    • There are higher expectations of those taking CAP 6402 (graduate students)
    • A grade of "B" meets the minimal requirements specified in this page, whereas a grade of "A" is given to the projects with the highest quality as judged by the Professor and Teaching Assistant (TA)
    • Hints to help your grade (some may not be applicable to this project of making a movie).
  • Deliverables: To submit your project, you need to:
    • Submit your project report in PDF on https://elearning.courses.ufl.edu/ to facilitate grading. Go to Assignments, click on Project 5, and past the contents of your notecard in the "submission" box, and any comments in the "comments" box.
    • Your project report should be a PDF file that contains:
      • Front page containing the title of your work, the team members real and second life names
      • The specific contributions and roles for each team member
      • An abstract that serves as a paragraphs summary of what was done, and what was learned.
      • The paper (approx. 5-10 pages) that shows your storyboard art, script narrative, and explains all aspects of how the movie was made around Project # 4. Include the roles played by team members and volunteers (if any).
      • News Sources: The source(s) (magazine volume/issue #, web URL, RSS feed) used for getting the news-worthy story.
      • Detailed description of the mapping approach you used to represent the flowchart. Include diagrams, pictures, photos, URLs that will help in the description. The mapping must be complete for anyone wishing to know exactly how to intepret your work.
    • Place the PDF and the 2 machinima videos (i.e., the one for YouTube and the larger one) on the DVD, and deliver to the TA during office hours.
  • Policies:
    • Late: no late projects accepted for Project # 5.