MA C140 Production Management

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a course in media arts project planning and production. Students will work in teams to design and complete a media project, such as a web site, interactive game, or animation. Students will also develop an understanding of team roles, workflow, budget, legal, and technical considerations for completing a project.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to

1. Construct a media project concept.
2. Formulate a research plan to determine the audience and the user’s needs for a media project.
3. Organize the market research and technical research for a media project.
4. Convene and assess a kick-off meeting.
5. Create a media project concept abstract, information design, interface design, and storyboard or site map for a media project.
6. Prepare a media project budget.
7. Describe legal issues of a media project and plan to avoid infringements.
8. Create, review and evaluate a media project prototype.
9. Compose and implement a media project production plan.
10. Implement and document user testing, making corrections as needed.
11. Prepare a marketing and distribution plan for a media project.
12. Evaluate and compare peer performance

DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. Concept and Planning (A, B, C)
   1. Management
   2. Concept
   3. Audience
   4. Content
   5. Market Research
   6. Technical Research
      
2. Design and Prototype (D, E, F, H)
   1. Kickoff Meeting
   2. Project Budget
   3. Design Goals
   4. Information Design
   5. Storyboard
   6. Prototype
   7. Tools and Engines
   8. Elements
   9. Programming
   10. User Testing
   11. Specifications and Standards
   12. Review and Evaluation
       
3. Production and Testing (I, J)
   1. Production Schedule
   2. Organizing Resources
   3. Text Production
   4. Graphic Production
   5. Time-Based Production
   6. Audio Production
   7. Programming Production
   8. Documentation
   9. Packaging
   10. Testing
       
4. Legal Issues (G)
   1. Copyright
   2. Contracts
   3. Privacy rights
   4. Business intelligence
      
5. Mastering, Publishing/Distribution and Follow-up (K, L)
   1. Physical Media Preparation
   2. Choosing Vendors
   3. Distribution Options
   4. Marketing
   5. Sales

METHODS OF PRESENTATION

Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

1. Lectures
   Example: A lecture explains project specifications, including defining objectives, audience, team members and roles, process, and costs.
2. Discussion
   Example: Instructor responds to student questions about defining the critical path in a project’s process.
3. Critique and Feedback
   Example: Feedback is provided when individual assignments are graded and submitted back to the student.

ASSIGNMENTS AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

Assessment of student performance may include but are not limited to

1. Weekly Assignments (A – L)
   Example: Students create a project proposal, defining essential components of the project.
2. Weekly Discussions (A – L)
   Example: Students use discussion to facilitate collaboration.
3. Projects (A – L)
   Examples: Students work collaboratively to develop an original media product.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Reading assignments are required and may include but are not limited to

1. Winder, Catherine. Producing Animation. Focal Press, 2001
   or
2. Friedlein, Ashely. Web Project Management. San Francisco, Morgan Kaufmann, 2001

3.19.2004

  Courses Index