NEWM-N499 Capstone Requirements

NEWM-N 499 Faculty Requirements

Each MAS faculty mentor has the option to mentor up to 5 students per semester. Make your plans for Capstone early.

All capstone proposals need to include the following:

  • A description of the end product including: project title, project purpose, target audience
  • An explanation of how the project pertains to your career goals
  • An explanation of why the mentor is the right mentor for you and your project

Each faculty member has different requirements for their capstone students. Please contact faculty for complete details.

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, Robert Skipworth Comer has additional proposal requirements that include:

  • A timeline that includes milestones leading to the completion of the project.
  • A proposed meeting schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.).
  • A list of requirements or features of the finished deliverable.
  • Wireframes, sketches, or prototypes of the finished deliverable.

The capstone experience with Robert Skipworth Comer has these requirements and final deliverables:

  • Completed project with presentation on Capstone night
  • Met on all agreed to meeting dates
  • Delivered a written thesis including documentation of project, hours completed, user testing and results of project.
  • Delivered electronic copies of your final deliverables and thesis

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, Jacob Dobson has additional proposal requirements that include:

Set up a time to meet during my office hours to go over the following details that will help us decide if we are a good fit.

Please email me a PowerPoint or pdf with the following before our visit:

  • Details about project and/or series of projects and how they relate overall.
  • Timeline of finishing projects
  • What your plans are for dissemination of your work
  • Plan for Public Display
  • Impact of project after graduation

The capstone experience with Jacob Dobson has these requirements and final deliverables:

  • Submit one Creative Process or multiple based on your specific plan.
  • Submit bi-weekly detailed written updates (journals) via Canvas.
  • Write a word doc reflection of what you have learned from this capstone.
  • Early Career Plan in a Word doc.
  • Final Portfolio
  • Final Resume
  • Final Cover Letter
  • Personal Promotion Plan (PPP)

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, John King has additional proposal requirements that include:

For NARRATIVE FILM PROJECTS:
Prospective students must also submit a 10-15 page screenplay, plus storyboard and shot list, along with a tentative weekly schedule for completing the project (considering pre-production, production, and post-production). Other preproduction materials such as location photos, camera tests, cast lists, and call sheets are optional, but helpful.

For DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECTS:
Prospective students must submit a detailed proposal (1-2 pages) for the documentary story idea, including information on the subject or subject matter, how the student plans to approach and gather A-roll and B-roll assets to make the film, and a tentative weekly schedule for completing the project (considering pre-production, production, and post-production).

For DIGITAL STORYTELLING PROJECTS:
Prospective students must submit scripts, storyboards, shot lists and/or other relevant preproduction materials along with a tentative weekly schedule planning out the capstone semester. Because of the varying nature of digital storytelling, students should expect to provide details of their project idea and scope, as well as details about what the final deliverables will include. In general, digital storytelling projects should represent the students’ skills with multimedia as well as digital marketing and/or innovative storytelling techniques. These projects should include both live action video and sound (dialogue, music, and sound effects as applicable).

The capstone experience with John King requires these final deliverables:

  • Submit bi-weekly detailed written updates (journals) via Canvas and correspond in writing in lieu of meeting frequently.
  • Meet with instructor as needed (every project is different).
  • Deliver project as proposed with minimal alterations to scope and breadth by the agreed upon deadline (i.e. no goalpost moving, major project shrinking, or other project overhauls).
  • Submit project file via Canvas PLUS a link to a backup copy in the Cloud (OneDrive, Vimeo, or YouTube).
  • Showcase and present finished, polished final deliverable in person at the capstone event at the end of the semester.
  • Submit a 2-page written reflection after the capstone event discussing what you learned, what challenges you faced, and where you plan to take the project from here.
  • Final deliverables also may include artifacts such as posters, brochures, memorabilia, and any takeaways you plan to use at your capstone presentation.

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, Thomas Lewis has additional proposal requirements that include:

  • A timeline of important milestones: pre-production, production, post-production
  • A discussion of the significance of the project
  • Anticipated challenges and how you intend to address them
  • Plans for the project after completion

The capstone experience with Thomas Lewis has these requirements and final deliverables:

  • Submission of Final Master Export
  • Vimeo or Youtube link to project
  • Completed cover letter for job application
  • Completed resume
  • Completed Demo Reel/Trailer/Portfolio
  • Established Professional Online Presence
  • LinkedIn Profile with 100+ specific industry contacts
  • Professional email (non-IU)
  • Professional Website
  • Distribution to (applied through FilmFreeway or Withoutabox) 6+ festivals (or comparable public presentations)
  • Application to 6+ employment opportunities
  • Submission of metacognitive reflection (3+ page reflection on your experience and what you learned from it)

Please submit a 1-page proposal plus a 1-page timeline. The proposal is to include, what they are working on, what their goals are, why they want to work with me, and what their end product will look like.

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, Todd Shelton has additional proposal requirements that include:

  • Project Description should include detailed description along with short summary for presentation purposes
  • Resources (Software/hardware requirements, programming languages, etc.)
  • Project Timeline (please include user testing two weeks before project completion.)

The capstone experience with Todd Shelton has these requirements and final deliverables:

  • Web projects must be hosted on a server and live for public viewing.
  • Web projects must be hosted on Github and set to public viewing with an entire Readme file.
  • Weekly updates. (These can be written or face-to-face.)
  • If you do not yet have a full/part-time/internship job in the industry, proof of at least three job applications submissions must be provided.

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, Rodney Smith has additional proposal requirements that include:

  • Projects should represent the students’ skills with audio, multimedia, and innovative storytelling techniques

The capstone experience with Rodney Smith has these requirements and final deliverables:

  • Submit bi-weekly detailed written updates via Canvas.
  • Meet with instructor as needed (every project is different).
  • Deliver project as proposed with minimal alterations to scope and breadth by the agreed upon deadline.
  • Showcase and present finished, polished final deliverable in person at the capstone event at the end of the semester.
  • Submit a 2-page written reflection after the capstone event discussing what you learned, what challenges you faced, and where you plan to take the project from here.
  • Final deliverables also may include artifacts such as posters, brochures, and any relevant project elements you plan to use at your capstone presentation.

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, Ty Streets has additional proposal requirements that include:

  • Project Description should include detailed description along with short summary for presentation purposes
  • Resources (Software/hardware requirements, programming languages, etc.)
  • Project Timeline (please include user testing two weeks before project completion.)
  • Core Features section including technical skills or knowledge needed to produce them

The capstone experience with Rodney Smith has these requirements and final deliverables:

  • Web projects must be hosted on a server and live for public viewing
  • Web projects must be hosted on Github and set to public viewing with an entire Readme file
  • Weekly updates (these can be written or face-to-face)
  • If you do not yet have a full/part-time/internship job in the industry, proof of at least three job applications submissions must be provided

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, Albert William has additional proposal requirements that include:

  • How will the project be done (what software, techniques)
  • Who is doing the project (yourself or a team project)
  • When will assets be completed
  • What is the justification for doing this project
  • A project scope

The capstone experience with Albert William has these requirements and final deliverables:

All capstone project students will be required to sign a contract prior to the start of the semester that will outline meeting dates, checkpoint dates and deliverables, and have attached a detailed project proposal, asset list, and timeline.

  • Completed project with presentation on Capstone night
  • Met on all agreed to meeting dates
  • Completion of all checkpoints
  • Delivered a written thesis including documentation of project, hours completed, user testing and results of project.
  • Delivered electronic copies of your final deliverables and thesis
  • Delivered materials as prescribed in the written contract

In addition to the proposal requirements expected by all faculty, Zeb Wood has additional proposal requirements that include:

  • Define the digital artifact(s) that will be created (Demo Reel, video, AR, VR, 3D prints, portfolio, poster, published paper etc.)
  • Benchmarking: Online find 10 similar (complimentary or intersecting) projects and compare to your proposal.
  • To the best of your ability, list weekly milestones to complete your final objective. For each week include:
    • What you will study, what you will create, what you will review with me
    • Professional development milestones
    • Resources and references to utilize in each week. (articles, videos, urls, etc.)

The capstone experience with Zeb Wood has these requirements and final deliverables:

  • Final project files
    • Onedrive URL or github URL for project files and documentation
  • Full Reflection on capstone experience
  • Research paper (when applicable)
  • GANTT Chart listing due dates of specific project milestones
  • Template of cover letter for job application
  • Resume
  • Demo reel/portfolio for intended expertise
  • Professional online presence
  • Professional email
  • Professional website
  • Application to 10+ career opportunities

Getting Started

Students must submit a proposal to their Capstone mentor by the following date:

  • Fall semester Capstone: April 1
  • Spring semester Capstone: November 1

This proposal, when signed by the mentor, will be routed to the Recorder who will give permission to enroll within 48 hours. Students must also submit an intent to graduate form.

Students will update the proposal form prior to meeting with their Capstone advisor the first week of class. This document will provide the basic information needed to give the advisor the direction of your project. Both parties must sign the document to establish that they both agree on the title and general direction of the project.