A word regarding the four projects ....
You
should approach the projects as you would a research paper.
When writing a paper you gather information from a variety of
sources and shape that information into a new creation from your
unique perspective. Similarly, simply copying and pasting
someone else's sound file "as is" and calling it your own
would not be appropriate. Think of acquired sound files as
building blocks that may be used in the creation of your unique
work. These files will be modified in various ways to create
an exclusive end result. As applicable, you are simply quoting
audio in your finished project. Of course, you are certainly
encouraged to create your own original sound files, too. Please
remember that you are responsible for adhering to applicable
copyright laws and "fair use" guidelines.
Save
all three projects to your Y: drive or to a CD. When all
projects are completed, you can burn them to a single CD to play for
Class Presentations during the final class ... and to take home to
amaze your family and friends.
For each project we'll
want a pre-game narrative as to how you created the
masterpiece. How were the files acquired or created?
What sample rate(s) were used? Special effects? Problems
encountered ... solutions found?
Project #1: 10- 15-Second Voice-Mail Message
You can have some major fun with this one,
and 10-15 seconds is only a minimum length. But who wants to
listen to a long recorded message, eh?
Let your
creativity shine. Use sound effects, even barnyard animals if
you'd like. Heck, you could even take a famous speech and
rearrange the words so the speaker is making a "personal"
introduction just for you!
To get your
creation into voice-mail most easily, you can crank up your computer
speakers and record by holding the telephone handset near the
speakers. ... Works well for low-quality telephone audio.
Class
time allotted: One class period (minus other items on the
schedule)
Project
#2: Audio Clips for Web or PowerPoint Environments
If you are comfortable with PowerPoint and wish to
actually incorporate your audio into a presentation, fine.
Ditto re web audio if you already have a web page. If not,
this project will simply consist of preparing and saving probably a
number of relatively short sound clips for use in either of these
environments.
There is no audio file time
limitation, although I doubt if any of us wants to sit through a
rendering of a public domain symphony (hint hint). You
may simply create various sound clips and describe how they would be
used in an imaginary web or presentation environment.
Class
time allotted: Two class periods (minus other items on
the schedule)
Project
#3: 60-Second, Multitrack, Broadcast-Quality Radio Commercial
Okay, YOU are the producer! Decide what you
are going to hawk. Or, maybe you'd rather do a P.S.A. (you
know, Public Service Announcement)? You write the
script. You do the voice-over. You create, or put
together, the audio and special effects. It's all YOU, baby!
This
project can certainly be on the lighter side if you care to lean in
the that direction. Just make sure it sounds
professional. We should be able to air these puppies on
NPR ... but don't count on it. ;-)
Class time allotted: Two class periods
Project #4: 3- 5-Minute, Multitrack,
Broadcast-Quality, Old-Time Radio
Mystery Theatre Script, or similar project using a children's book,
etc.
... Hope you get along well with others?? For
this project you will need to team up with one or two other persons
in the class. Your mission is to come up with a three- to
five-minute audio thriller. Ideally, you will write your own
script. If you're not feeling terribly creative these days,
you can no doubt find something on the web. Or, simply produce
a page or two from your favorite mystery novel, children's book, or
any book that would lend itself well to sound effects.
You and your
partners will be the voices. You and your partners will come
up with the sound effects. "It was a dark and stormy
night ...." What sound effects come to mind? You
may even have to create some of your own. Check out the links
at the bottom of the MUS/CSC 510 page for ideas.
Class
time allotted: Three class periods
