Each student will be interpreting a song visually. Using the timing, speed, emotion and imagery that the song evokes, student will create imagery in Flash that depicts the song. Be aware of the implementation and use of the elements and principles of design when creating the designs. Much of what is created in the project will be abstract, shapes, lines, colors and textures that represent the song. Examples will be shown in class of work that was created to represent the feeling of the song through the creation of animation and imagery.

The best way to choose how the video should look is by listening to the song several times, and writing down the type of imagery that comes to mind during certain parts of the song. Classical music will work well for this assignment, as will any music that is emotionally charged. The videos will be 2-3 minutes, if the song is longer, it will be edited down.

Steps:
· Musical timeline-students will listen to their song actively while sketching a “music timeline” in their notes graphically depicting the vocals, baseline, percussion, and guitars from the song. The student will be shown in class how to show the major ‘events’ of the song on the top of the timeline, while adding notes underneath showing their interpretation of those events-for example if the song starts off very slowly, they might write in that they feel depresses listening to that part, and they see rain falling on pavement.
· Storyboarding: students will create a storyboard depicting their rough ideas before starting on the computer. The concept is the meat of the project; do not move on until you have thought out the idea. Details on correctly creating storyboards will be shown in class. An effective storyboard is one that anyone can pick up and create the project simply by the detail put into the drawings, written descriptions, and notes. If the instructor cannot understand it, the storyboard will be returned for a redo. Projects cannot begin without an approved storyboard.
Storyboard is worth 25 points, due 3/12 at the end of the period.

· Rough Draft. Each student will present a semi-finished project to the instructor by 3/26. Each student will turn in a SWF file for review. Rough drafts should contain the majority of the work finished, but without the fine editing. Rough Drafts are worth 25 points.

Grading:
Technical: Each student will be graded on the technical aspect of using flash. The use of motion tweening, shape tweening, shape hints, audio, text, as well as the elements and principles of design. Technical is worth 40 points.
Concept: Concept deals with the idea or story behind the animation. A poorly done animation with a great concept is better received than a poorly thought out concept with great animation. Just think about some of the movies, especially science fiction that has great effects, but no story.
Concept is worth 60 of the 100 points.

Final project is due 4/23

Good luck, explore, try, fail, and try again and again until you get it right. In the end, your project will show your effort.