Course Title: Time-Based Media

Part A: Course Overview

Course ID: 001869

Course Title: Time-Based Media

Credit Points: 6


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COSC1022

City Campus

Undergraduate

345H Creative Media

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Kate Matthews

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3

Course Coordinator Email: Kate.Matthews@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Successful completion of Advanced Diploma of Multimedia


Course Description

This elective course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental issues involved in using and manipulating time for dramatic effect in multimedia and linear works. It will enable students to develop their understanding of time-based media through topics including: comparisons of temporal and static imagery; the use of time in film; edited vs non-edited time; manipulating the presentation of information using time-based events in interactive works; time-based concepts for Internet publishing; and future directions of time-based media.

This course helps students develop an ability to analyse, evaluate and reflect upon the usage of time in interactives, films and Internet sites. They will gain a broad appreciation of the possibilities for using time-based media by examining selected published works which illustrate the diverse ways time can be used to communicate ideas effectively. The subject also encourages students to experiment with cinematic editing techniques, and methods to convey the passage of time that can alter an audience’s perception of time, thus effecting pace and creating mood.

The students will apply their enhanced critical awareness and theoretical knowledge to their own project concept in order to demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the use of time in multimedia, interactive media and linear works.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

You will develop capabilities in the use of specific editing techniques:

  • Using illustration, photomedia, text and sound to create original animation with a focus on the use of idea development and pre-production research.
  • Demonstrating pre-production techniques and design methodology such as storyboarding, flowcharting and visual development.
  • Developing skills in the principles of narrative and timing, soundtrack design and Quicktime movies, and electronic post production.
  • Using software applications to create animation, dynamics and motion oriented visual art and design, including photorealistic animation, lighting, morphing, texture mapping and rendering.
  • Integrating computer generated animation for interactive multimedia, interactive display and business presentation.


Upon completion of this course you will have the capability to:
a) Compare and contrast manipulation of time and the consequent perception of time by the audience in both film and interactive media.
b) Identify and evaluate the significance of cinematic editing and language in film and interactive media.
c) Recognise and discuss the way time-based events are portrayed in linear and non-linear works.
d) Appraise the effectiveness of the time-manipulation strategies used, and offer constructive alternatives to those strategies.
e) Reflect on and discuss possible future directions for time-based media.
f) Devise and produce an advanced multimedia/video concept that primarily relies on the use of time for its effect.
g) Have developed some confidence in translating cinematic language into interactive work.
h) Demonstrate use of specific editing techniques.


Overview of Learning Activities

The subject will be taught as a series of weekly face-to-face workshops. Each workshop will address specific topics within the subject area. The knowledge gained through these workshops can be directly applied to the project-work students will undertake as an assessment task. You will progressively evolve your understanding of the media through group discussion and critical analysis of linear and non-linear audiovisual works. As there will be a considerable amount of experiential learning, attendance at lectures and workshops is strongly recommended.

Your exploration of topics covered, along with a critical study of a selected work, will form background material for a presentation to be delivered in class. This assessment task will develop further confidence in formulating and refining ideas and speaking and presenting to a group. In addition, you are required to devise and produce an advanced concept of your ‘Time-based Project’, which is to primarily rely on the use of time for its effect. Group discussions and individual consultations with the lecturer will assist the you to develop your concept ideas.


Overview of Learning Resources

Students are encouraged to do a wide range of reading and independent library research into all areas of Art, design, and Multimedia.

Students are recommended that they have personal access to current (educational) versions of software used in the course. Also recommended is that students have some variety of portable data storage media, for example, a USB memory stick/drive or an Apple iPod that can store data and be usable on both Macintosh and Windows PC platforms. Multimedia in general and this course in particular, involves student’s use and transportation of large file sizes.


Overview of Assessment

Folio production: 60%
Journal 20%
Oral presentation 20%