New York City College of Technology, CUNY Entertainment Technology Dept. 186 Jay Street, Room V-203 Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 260-5588 http://www.entertainmenttechnology.org/

ENT 4470 - Sound Design 2 cl hrs, 2 lab hrs, 3 cr Pre or Co-requisite: ENT 2370

Course Description: An investigation of the techniques and practices of sound design, emphasizing the use of modern computer-based recording and playback techniques. Sampling, hard-disk playback systems, sequencing, MIDI, systems integration, the use of surround systems, low- frequency elements and specials to achieve a variety of effects will be covered. Sound design practices will include script analysis, sound cue construction, integration with director and communication with other members of the design team. Additional areas of concentration will include development of cues based on functional, transitional, underscoring, surreal and hyper-real techniques; integration of musical and soundscape aesthetics; practice on Macintosh computer platforms using Digital Performer, Pro-Tools and a variety of plug-ins; programming of automation equipment and development of robust redundant systems capable of sustaining a high-use theatrical environment.

Course Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: • Analyze a proposed project (e.g. a play script) for its technical and storytelling needs. • Collaborate effectively as part of a production team. • Select and create the appropriate sound and music cues based on type and usage. • Determine the proper playback, reinforcement, and/or public address system strategy as applicable to specific projects. • Select and program the appropriate automation system for a specific project. • Design and implement the three systems—show, communications, and monitoring— necessary for all projects. • Fully document their design so that any competent technician can realize that design without further elaboration.

REQUIRED TEXTS: While there is no specific assigned textbook, students are required to provide other supplies including blank media and source materials (e.g. other play scripts, sound recordings, etc…).

EVALUATION AND GRADING PROCEDURES: There will be four projects including the final portfolio review.

1 Grading will be weighted as follows:

Projects 1-4 80% Portfolio Review 15% Participation 5%

In this upper-level class, professional quality presentations are mandatory. Handdrawn/written paperwork will not be accepted. Late projects, if accepted, will be marked down at least one full grade.

(Note: There are no “make-up” projects in this course, so be sure to let me know IN ADVANCE if you have a problem.)

Attendance/Promptness: If you have a legitimate reason for missing a class/assignment, or if you will be late, you must contact me before class begins.

Required Internet Access: The City Tech Blackboard system is accessible through: http://www.cuny.edu. You must log in and update your email password, and then check in twice a week throughout the semester.

Lab Time: Projects will require quite a lot of work outside of this class. Please see the department’s recommended work hour guidelines and keep in mind those are suggested minimums and not necessarily applicable to this course. Avail yourself of open lab hours.

The Projects: There will be four projects and a portfolio review. Three of the class projects and the portfolio review will be executed in teams of two or three. Each team will have at least one Lead Designer and a System Designer/Production Sound Engineer per project.

Project ONE (individual): Design, document, and build a production of “Not Waving.” This project will be completed in several steps as outlined on BlackBoard

Project TWO: (Team Project “A”) Design, document and build “Third” by Wendy Wasserstein.

Project THREE: (Team Project “B”) Design, document and build a “Comic Potential” by Alan Ayckbourn.

2 Project FOUR: (Team Project “C”) Design, document, and build an individual assigned play (TBD)

All projects are to be designed for Voorhees Theatre. Each team, under the direction of the PSE, will do a “Shop Build” of the show in V014 and present their project to the class.

Portfolio Review: Each team will present their portfolios in a committee setting similar to the one used by USA829 for applicant review. The portfolio will include the three team projects.

Portfolios are to be turned in by 5/12. Interviews will be conducted the week of 5/19.

Be prepared to answer questions about any and all aspects of your designs and to play examples of sound cues from any/all of the portfolio projects.

Session # Lecture Topic Lab Assignment Reading 1 Introduction to Brief Script Read "Not Design - Review analysis of Waving" Syllabus "Not Waving" 2 Recording Cue Creation Techniques / Recording Script Techniques analysis/Cue sheets 3 "Not Waving" Not Waving NW Analysis Script analysis and project lab due. breakdowns.

4 System Design NW Cue Sheets Discussion due

5 Presentations of Cue Creation and Project 1: Not Not System Design Waving Waving Opening Process Opening Cue Cue 6 Not Waving Content Creation

3 7 MONDAY Preliminary SCHEDULE NW System Design due 8 "Not Waving" QLab Design Process programming Opening NW Opening Sequence. 9 Not Waving Cue Continue Read "Third" Status Questions. Playback programming lab 10 Compiling the NW Final NW cue portfolio sheets, system drawings due 11 Team Projects: Project 1: "Not Discuss "Third" Waving" portfolio due 12 Present "Third" SFX, SM-S, LCS Concepts 13 Team Presentations of "Third" concept 14 Project 2: System Review System Read "Comic Design Stratagies Designs/ Potential" Project 2: Team Lab 15 Team Projects: Project 2: Begin Discuss "Comic Builds Potential"

16 Project 2: Project 2 Complete builds Preliminary Paperwork

DUE 17 Project 2: presentations

4 18 Present "Comic Project 3: Team Potential" Presentations of Concepts concept 19 Project 3: Begin build 20 Project 3: Project 3 Complete builds Paperwork and begin DUE presentations 21 Project 3: Assign Final Continue Plays Presentations. 22 Discuss Final Plays Project 4: Group Lab Time 23 Teams Present Project 4: Team Final Project Lab times concepts 24 Project 4: Group Lab Time 25 Project 4: Begin build 26 Project 4: Complete builds and begin presentations 27 Project 4: complete presentations 28 Analysis of project STRIKE V014 PORTFOLIOS results SYSTEM! DUE! 29 PORTFOLIO REVIEW (GROUP 1)

30 PORTFOLIO REVIEW (GROUP 2)

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Learning Outcomes After taking this class, the student will be able to... This will be demonstrated by... • Analyze a script or stimulus and develop a design thesis Projects, assignment, class participation • Develop original design content Projects, assignment, class participation • Create production documents for organization and Projects, assignment, class participation collaboration • Program digital mixing consoles and cueing software Projects, assignment, class participation

• Prepare and implement a multi-channel immersive sound Projects, assignment, class participation design

Gen Ed Learning Outcomes After taking this class, the student will be able to... This will be demonstrated by... Inquiry/ Analysis: Use creativity to solve problems. Sound designs for various creative works. Work with teams, including those of diverse composition. Productively participate in critiques of fellow students’ work Respect and use creativity. Sound designs for various projects.

V - 2018

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