Mentored Study in Sound
Design
DRAM 7620-1
Meeting Times: TBA
Culbreth Booth
Instructed by Michael Rasbury
OFFICE:
Michael Rasbury, Room 208B,
Culbreth Theatre
Schedule appointments by
phone at (434) 982-4542 or by email at mr2xk@virginia.edu. I check email daily.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
DRAM 7620 is a faculty-guided study in an area of sound design and/or technology
not covered in the established curriculum.
The
first option teaches graduates how to successfully use the computer to create
sound design through completing a series of consecutive projects created to
suit each student's individual needs.
Each project will be unique; some will involve recreating actual
realistic environments and others will involve a more abstract approach. Some source material for the exercises
is provided, but the student will also explore the recording process in order
to create new source material.
The
second option is to participate in the current semester's production as Sound
Designer. Option two requires
preexisting knowledge of manipulation of sound using the computer. The graduate student will be
responsible for analyzing the play, providing a paper design (cue sheets,
sample sounds, sound plots, etc.), interfacing with the greater collaboration
of designers for the production, and providing a final product complementary to
the show.
REQUIREMENTS:
Binder Notebook
Stereo Headphones with mini
1/8" adapter (for monitoring)
CD-R Spindle (for submission
of projects)
Students will be responsible
for all work regardless of computer failures such as corrupted discs. Students are responsible for creating a
"back-up" of each project.
The following media can be used:
CD-R (650-700 MB), CD-RW
(650-700 MB) reusable, or
DVD-R 2X (4.7 Gigabytes)
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
You should make every effort
to be present at each class period.
Three excused absences are permitted. Please notify me before the absence or provide an official
notification after the absence.
Each unexcused absence will result in lowering of your letter grade by
one letter.
SUBMISSIONS:
Before starting any
individual project (option 1) or a design for production (option 2), a design
statement must be submitted to me via email at mr2xk@virginia.edu. A design statement is a declaration of
purpose and plan for construction of an idea.
Upon completing each project
(option 1,) submit two copies. One
copy should be an audio
CD-R of the design. The second copy should be a data CD-R
of your files. Label each disc
with your name, project name, CD type, and length of the project.
GRADING SCALE:
Option 1:
There will be no midterm or
final exam. Each project will
receive equal percentage of the final possible 100% grade. Grades will be determined by the
attached rubric; a grading chart outlining all assessment criteria.
Option 2:
Graduates who commit to the
entire process of Sound Design for a production by observing all production
calendar dates, meeting all required deadlines, providing all necessary
paperwork (paper design, cue sheets, etc.), providing and/or creating all
necessary sound effects, and successfully implementing the design will receive
an A. Less than 100% effort will
result in an F.
Students needing special
accommodations are encouraged to discuss the need with the professor as soon as
possible.