Course Description
Advanced exploration of interactive media as a dramatic form, with an emphasis on algorithmic structures, self-generating media, adaptive behaviors, and object-oriented programming techniques.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Course evaluation will be based on a series of small experimental/creative lab assignments, short written assignments, and a final small-group or individual project. Students enrolled for graduate credit will also be required to write a critical or theoretical term paper and participate in a discussion group that will either meet an additional hour each week, or will be conducted on-line.
Athena Title
Interactive Media as Drama II
Undergraduate Prerequisite
THEA 5860
Graduate Prerequisite
THEA 5860
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course is designed as a follow-up to DRAM 5860/7860. It is an advanced exploration of the use of interactive media to create open-ended, participatory, algorithmic dramatic narratives, giving equal emphasis to aesthetic and technical issues. It examines relevant theories of narrative, interactivity, and improvisational strategy. The primary software used will be Macromedia Director and Flash, with a focus on advanced object-oriented programming techniques. This course is designed for students with a mastery of score-based Director authoring and a basic understanding of interative narrative strategies.
Topical Outline
Part I: Programming Basics Review of Score authoring Introduction to 3D Lingo Creating Behaviors 3D Lingo Lists and Data Structures Part II: Interactive Narrative Structure Interactivity and Performativity Associative Hypermedia Algorithmic Behaviors Part III: Real-time Media Programming Media Manipulation Part IV: Object-Oriented Programming Parent Scripts and Inheritence Modularity Self-modifying Objects Internet Communication Part V: Creative Group Project Concept Development Storyboarding Prototype Development Final Project