Session 1: Today we’ll be watching an episode of Cowboy Bebop as a listening exercise and inspiration for the Animatic Project, which we’ll be discussing next class. While watching, pay particular attention to the audio that has been meticulously produced for this series. Not only is the music superb, but also the sound design is of outstanding cinematic standards. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from the audio after watching the episode. While watching and listening please answer the questions on the document linked below and turn it in after the exercise has been completed.

Animation Listening Exercise

FYI: The entire Cowboy Bebop series is available in the library. Directed by Watanabe Shinichirou and music by Yoko Kanno (her music compositions are excellent, and make the series for me). Here’s a few links to peak your interest:

http://www.cowboybebop.org/english/ – The official Cowboy Bebop: The Movie site.
http://www.cowboybebop.org/english/door/interview/index.html – Interview with the director.
http://www.ex.org/4.5/16-interview_kanno1.html – An excellent interview with Kanno Yoko.

Multitrack Project Milestone:
1. Show that you have a minimum of three tracks in your Pro Tools document
2. Illustrate the use of a master fader
3. Demonstrate the use of inserts on one or more tracks
4. Enable at least one example of automation in your work in progress

Session 2: Starting next week I’ll be demonstrating more techniques in both ProTools and Reason. Here are the requirements for the final Project options. The final project involves combining visual imagery with sound. One of the key competencies is synchronizing the sound with the visuals or vice versa. Typically if you are creating animation you will record the sound first. For video, you generally need to replace the existing sound. You piece can be an animatic created from storyboards, an interactive piece, video, or animation. Another acceptable method is to create a derivative work fropm footage in the public domain. A vast amount of archival footage can be viewed and downloaded from archive.org.

Option 1: Final Animatic Project
Description: The Final Animatic is a two minute visual piece without a second project and intended for longer more complicated animated sequences or visuals (video, interactive, etc.).
Due: Session 1, Week 11
Points: 50
1. Minimum length is 2:00. If working in groups of two 4:00.
2. A minimum of 8 panels if creating animatic (16 if paired) are required. Other visuals are acceptable including flash animation, slide shows, video, etc.
3. Use ProTools LE (with mBox) or ProTools 24 (in 007) to produce your audio.
4. Use foley techniques to records 50% of your Sound Effects.
5. A one page script is required which includes dialogue and, more importantly, sound design notes.
6. Compile your project in one of the following accepted formats: .mov, .mpeg, .avi, or .swf
7. A minimum of 10 tracks of audio in ProTools is required.
8. Include 2 screenshots of your ProTools work in progress with your project (command+shift+3 creates a screenshot on the desktop).
9 . Try to maintain the highest possible audio quality. For MP3s do not compress your audio any more than 44.1khz and 128Kbps. Wave files should be rendered as 44.1k 16bit.
10. Copy your project with screen shots to the student drive in room 009 before it is due.
11. Use mastering techniques to finalize your mix.
12. 5% of grade is awarded for presenting your work in class.

Option 2: Combined Final Animatic Project
Description: The Combined Final Animatic is a one minute visual piece and a second project without visuals. This is intended to satisfy those of you who wish to try your hand at some music or experimentation with Reason.
Due: Session 2, Week 11
Points: 50
1. Minimum length is 1:00. If working in groups of two 2:00.
2. A minimum of 6 panels if creating animatic (12 if paired) are required. Other visuals are acceptable including flash animation, slide shows, video, etc.
3. Use ProTools LE (with mBox) or ProTools 24 (in 007) to produce your audio.
4. Use foley techniques to records 50% of your Sound Effects.
5. A one page script is required which includes dialogue and, more importantly, sound design notes.
6. Compile your project in one of the following accepted formats: .mov, .mpeg, .avi, or .swf
7. A minimum of 10 tracks of audio in ProTools is required.
8. Include 2 screenshots of your ProTools work in progress with your project (command+shift+3 creates a screenshot on the desktop).
9. produce a 2nd non-visual audio piece, the minimum length for the 2nd project is 3 minutes (without visuals).
10 . Try to maintain the highest possible audio quality. For MP3s do not compress your audio any more than 44.1khz and 128Kbps. Wave files should be rendered as 44.1k 16bit.
11. Copy your project with screen shots to the student drive in room 009 before it is due.
12. Use mastering techniques to finalize your mix.
13. 5% of grade is awarded for presenting your projects in class.