The goal of this project is to demonstrate your understanding of a narrative arc told in the round.
You will storyboard and produce a narrative designed to be experienced in 360°, viewable in a dome space or through a VR headset. The narrative should be crafted so the viewer can look in four different directions, each revealing part of the story.
You may shoot or animate using any camera or software (the Insta360 has advantages but is not required). This piece may expand from your looping or interactive narratives or can diverge into a completely new project.
Process / Benchmarks
- Brainstorm narrative ideas.
- Storyboard your concept, showing the 4 directional perspectives.
- Create Assets: Design visuals using hand-drawing, Illustrator, Photoshop, or other tools.
- Animate / Produce the narrative according to your storyboards.
- Test, Troubleshoot, and Refine until your piece runs smoothly in VR or dome projection.
Requirements:
- Storyboards showing narrative arc and audience perspectives.
- Animations may be:
- Hand-drawn (digital or analog)
- Stop motion
- Rotoscoped
- Fully digital
- Length: Final animation should be between 2–5 minutes.
- Must function in VR or Dome environments.
Tips for Success
- Think spatially: what should the viewer see in each of the four directions?
- Use perspective shifts to add narrative depth (e.g., different characters, moods, or stages visible in different directions).
- Test your animation regularly in VR or dome format — what works on a flat screen may not work in 360°.
- Keep length manageable: focus on clarity of storytelling within 2–5 minutes.
- Prioritize smooth transitions so the viewer feels immersed rather than disoriented.
Grading
| Criteria | Exemplary (Full Points) | Proficient | Developing | Beginning | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideas (up to 20 pts) | 4+ strong, creative, well-developed ideas (5 pts each) | 3–4 solid ideas with some originality | 1–2 limited ideas | Few or no viable ideas | 0–20 |
| Storyboards (up to 40 pts) | Iterative, detailed, clearly mapping narrative and 4 perspectives (10 pts each) | Mostly clear, covers perspectives with minor gaps | Partial coverage; weak link to narrative | Minimal or missing storyboards | 0–40 |
| Asset Visual Quality (5–25 pts) | Highly polished, creative, consistent assets; strong narrative support (25) | Clear, functional, some inconsistencies (15–20) | Functional but underdeveloped or inconsistent (10–14) | Low-quality or unfinished assets (5–9) | 5–25 |
| Animation Visual Quality (5–25 pts) | Polished, smooth, visually compelling animation (25) | Mostly smooth with minor flaws (15–20) | Rough or uneven animation (10–14) | Minimal or incomplete animation (5–9) | 5–25 |
| Animation Iterations (25 pts each) | Multiple iterations show significant refinement and improvement | Iterations show moderate progress | Minimal revisions; limited growth | No iterations or little evidence of progress | 0–25 |
| Final Presentation (25 pts) | Presented in VR/dome smoothly; cohesive narrative and strong impact | Complete and functional with minor issues | Uneven or partially clear experience | Presentation missing or unclear | 0–25 |
70 Points minimum to pass with a C, 145 points total