The San Francisco State University Multimedia Studies Program has a couple of new training programs coming this spring, and they’re being taught exclusively on the Mac, Christopher Marler, director of Technology Programs, told MacCentral.
Following the success of its Web Design Intensive, the Multimedia Studies Program will launch its new Digital Video Intensive program next month. The DVI will converge professionals from the motion picture, TV and multimedia industries to train students on every aspect of DV production and post-production, Marler said. This includes software and hardware tools such as Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro, shooting and editing, management, aesthetics, marketing and business practices.
The16-week program targets the growing number of individuals wanting to create independent productions, work in related industries or to bring DV to the Web. Instructors include: Philip J. Gallegos (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Charmed), Laura Plotkin (Red Rain, Know What I Mean), Jan Boyd (KRON TV’s Next Step), and Mark DeVito (TechTV’s Dash’s Animation House, TechTV Zip File).
DVI classes start Jan. 28; tuition is US$13,500 and includes materials and a video speed 80GB FireWire hard drive. Students provide blank media for burning their own DVDs. For more information about the DVI, visit the MSP Web site.
March will see the start of a three-week Flash Intensive course. Running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from March 11-29, the course will offer in-depth Flash training to designers who are familiar with the application and have used it a bit, Marler said. The goal: to prepare participants for serious professional design and/or personal artwork in Flash.
The Intensive will start with a review of the fundamentals of Flash and the principles of graphic design, moving through animation, sound, usability and advanced techniques into ActionScript, database feeds and external applications. Topics will include professional fundamentals above and beyond the interface, like pitching Flash successfully to clients, storyboarding and prototyping. The final stage of the Flash Intensive is a portfolio zine showcasing the student’s perspective in visuals, movement and direct expression of ideas.
Courses will be held in one of two new Mac G4 labs at the Oakland Multimedia Center, featuring 867MHz G4s with 640MB of memory and 17-inch flat panel displays. Each student station has a Zip drive, T1 access and all the multimedia applications the course employs. The lab uses “up” lighting at the sides of the room, to optimize the colors and visuals being created onscreen.
Enrollment is limited to 20 students (one per G4). Faculty members are: Susan Harris of Fluent Studios, Anna McMillan of Red Industries, Taylor (yep, just one name) of Captain Cursor Creations, Josh Ulm of ioResearch, and Natalie Zee of Avant Media with a guest lecture from Sarah Allen of Macromedia. There will also be a “very special guest” to be announced later, Marler said.
Registration begins Jan. 7 by phone at 415-405-7700. Tuition is $3,500 for the full three weeks of instruction. Full information and schedules are available online.