Syllabus: Projection and Media Design (THEA 475)

Course Description: The study and exploration of the projection design process, and the creation and execution of digital media for theatrical projection and multimedia/performance integration.
Course Objectives and Goals: Developing a basic understanding of digital media integration with live performance, including process, paperwork, content, and execution. This course will include advanced application of theatrical projection design practice, principals, and technology. By the end of this course, the successful student will have:

  • an understanding of the projection design process for theatre, and the art of projection design.
  • a practical understanding of tools and technology of mounting a design.
  • a practical understanding of media creation and manipulation.

Course Topics:

  • History and Industry Standards – Examples. Design process – paperwork and such.
  • Sound and lighting integration / Live video – Analog and Digital Capture Switching and scan converters.
  • Media Creation – software, media types, resolutions.
  • Images – Photoshop and media types and resolution.
  • Video – After Effects, Premiere.
  • File types, resolution, FPS.
  • Content procurement and file conversion.
  • Execution – technology – software, hardware.
  • Playback – Qlab, Watchout, Isadora, TouchDesigner.
  • Still images – Moving images – Video – Kerning – Mapping – Live video.
  • Projectors – Lumens, throw ratios, lenses, dowsing.
  • Media servers Moving projectors LED and other formats.
  • Projection – Front, Rear Other surfaces TVs Multi-Screen – dividing, mapping, edge blending.
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Syllabus: Installations and Interactive Performance (THTR 3880)

THTR 3880:0001 Cross Reference: DANC 3880:0001
Spring, 2021 || M&W: 3:30p-5:20p

Instructor: Daniel Fine, Assistant Professor of Digital Media in Performance

Course Description: An introduction to the aesthetics, techniques and practical possibilities of fusing together theatre, dance, music/sound, art, design, cinema, gaming, human computer interaction, and engineering. Students will learn the foundations of creating interactive experiences that use digital photos, video, text, real-world objects, sensor data, live bodies moving in space, Kinect 2 sensors, cameras, and multiple video outputs such as projectors and LED displays. The interactive, node-based programming software Isadora, will be used to create immersive mediated performances, interactive installations, embodied user based experiences and user manipulated virtual environments.

Course Objectives and Goals:

  • Understand the basic concepts, theories and practical applications of incorporating interactive digital media into installations, live performance and user based experiences.
  • Develop applied knowledge of creating interactive media installations and live performance by designing and realizing projects in various analog, digital and new media.
  • Cite and discuss historical and contemporary artists and companies.
  • Work collaboratively across disciplines to investigate multimedia approaches to contemporary live experiences and new modes of storytelling.
  • Develop skills in manipulating digital assets such as photos, videos, text, live video streams and data.
  • Operate computer, video, projection, sensor, and camera equipment.
  • Be able to perform basic-intermediate, node-based programming skills in Isadora.
  • Develop the organizational and artistic skills necessary to successfully produce installations, interactive performance and user based experiences.
  • Improve teamwork and communication skills.
  • Critique and evaluate work.

Course Topics:

  • Intro, gear, check-out, studio, system, in-class assignments
  • Isadora (Networks, Video)
  • Isadora (Sound)
  • Isadora (Camera, Displays)
  • Isadora (NDI, Syphon, Zoom integration)
  • Isadora (Control)
  • Isadora (Generative Art)
  • Isadora (Projection Mapping)
  • Isadora (Data Visualization)
  • Isadora (Kinect)
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