Final Project Proposal

TRM 153: Studio Concepts

Proposals for Final Project

Due: Tuesday November 12, 2013

Next week, you will turn in a proposal for your final project. Your final project will be an ambitious, self-directed culmination of the concepts, software, and equipment covered in class this semester. You may choose to revisit or expand on an earlier project, or you may propose something new.

Your proposal is due as a hard copy in class on Tuesday November 12, 2013.  The proposal must include a summary, a sketch, a calendar/timeline, and a budget.

Your summary should include a basic description of what you want to do for your final project. You should include the media, software, and equipment you plan on using. You should articulate how this project will expand on at least one specific example of a concept, artist, or artwork covered in class. If you are developing a narrative, include your basic plot or character. If you are doing something more experimental, describe your structure, concept, and what you are interested in investigating. Please also articulate what interests you in making this work, and what you want to communicate to your audience. Your summary should be factual and clearly stated.

Your sketch should be a preliminary visual or written aide to give a better understanding of what you want your final project to look like. This can be a collage, a drawing, a mood board, a poem, a journal entry, a drawing, a short video, an audio sample, a storyboard, a treatment, etc. This is to help provide a better idea of what your final project will be. It may serve as your inspiration and grounding, and will give me a better idea of where you're coming from.Your sketch should create a visual/creative frame of reference for your project. It must be original (made by you), but can contain appropriated elements.

Your calendar/timeline will include weekly, self-imposed deadlines for what you need to accomplish in order to complete your project. This should include things like making equipment reservations, pick ups, and returns; editing; printing; getting feedback; etc. Be as specific as possible. I recommend making a countdown calendar (starting with your deadline-- December 3, 2013-- and move backwards to the present day).

Your budget should include all of the equipment, labor, supplies, materials, or other things that cost money in the real world. Thankfully, you are all going to be very generous with your time by helping your classmates and friends with your time and energy (as they will be with you). You have also already paid tuition, so your out of pocket expenses for equipment should be minimal. Be sure to include things you've already paid for: headphones, computers, software, SD cards, etc. This is a good exercise to start thinking about all of the stuff and labor needed to make work. Estimate labor in hours (including yours), and make lists of everything you will need to use. These are very valuable projects, take them seriously!

You will check in with me over the next few weeks on your progress. We will have some in-class time, but not much. I highly encourage all of you to schedule times with me to meet during my office hours to talk one-on-one about your projects to get feedback. I will be available for extra office hours over the next few weeks, as needed. 

As always, I am always available by email and will do my best to get back to you within 24 hours (after that, feel free to follow up!).