Seth Gullion's Midterm Proposal

Hopefully this will format correctly... in any case, I'll be printing it out as well. Here goes...

Mid-Term Thesis Project Proposal

I. Title: Working on it... (Perhaps something like 0_< ... ?)
II. Abstract: This project will examine the use of emoticons and other symbols in written language, primarily in online communities and communications such as instant messaging, forums, and chat rooms. Several questions concerning this phenomenon will be posed by characters in a narrative format, posing and attempting to answer some of these inquiries as their story unfolds. The story will be told in webcomic format, with animations, audio components, and other features. In the end, the story will allow the audience to look at how symbols and icons are used in language in a new way, and generate interest as to how written language, pictures, and storytelling are evolving.
III. Description:
1. Definition of the Project:
A. Genre: Narrative, with documentary and argumentative elements throughout.
B. Research Methodology: The story will analyze multiple perspectives concerning the topic, synthesize pre-existing ideas and hopefully expand upon them, and the presentation could in many respects be considered a visualization of data.
C. Deliver Format: Although it could probably exist on a DVD, I see it as being a website in the end. The site would include the narrative, and perhaps a section allowing the audience to discuss or interact in another manner.
2. Articulation of Project Goals: When discussing pictures, emoticons, and symbols, using pure text alone would rob the reader of a great deal of meaning. Telling the story in a sequential art form such as comics allows the reader’s imagination to fill in the gaps as the story is told. It will certainly be valuable in an academic context: using comics as a tool for education is a field that is in need of further exploration, and the works of people such as Scott McCloud are testament to its effectiveness. The audience should ideally finish the project with an appreciation for how efficient their minds are at anthropomorphizing nonsensical lines on paper or pixels, and realize that communication is not just limited to text on paper or the spoken word. Also, perhaps most importantly, the audience should be entertained by the story.
3. Project’s Significance within Contemporary Scholarship: I see this project primarily as being a tool for thinking differently about storytelling, language, and communication. It will also interprit and criticize pre-existing works in fiction, graphic fiction, and possibly television and cinema. Being a website, it could certainly reach audiences outside of the university.
IV. Timeline: At this point I cannot say anything definite, but by the end of this semester I can certainly have most of the characters conceptualized, most of the storyboard finished, and produce a few animatics of the animations I would like to include.
V. Budget: Outside of the labs, I already own Flash 8, so the only foreseeable things I would need to spend additional money on would be Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator if I wanted to work on them when I do not have access to the labs, and space for the website when the project is near completion. I may have to get additional lessons for various programs, if learning them myself would prove too time consuming. At the moment, I cannot place an estimate, but seeing as how money is certainly a precious resource for me, I would like to attempt to spend as little money as I can manage while still making a compelling project.
VI. Confirmed Advisors: None are officially confirmed yet, but professors Michael DuPlessis and Jervey Tervalon from the English department are assisting me. I’m yet to get an IML advisor, but I shall jump on that as soon as I’m able.
VII. Presentation Distribution Plans: Uncertain. If it is a website, I could feasibly provide links to interested people on some of the forums I regularly visit.
VIII. Prior Related Work: Unsure what this means… I’ve created fictional stories in the past, as well as comics and short animations.
IX. So far, I know for certain I’ll be using material from Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics.