Getting Visual Ideas Out Of Your Head and Into the World (c)1997



SUBJECT:       Assignment #2, CAI/Mindtool Review #4
COURSE:        MCTE 625 - Survey of Courseware
CAI/Mindtool:  Getting Visual Ideas Out Of Your Head
               and Into the World: StoryBoard ARTIST 2.0
               and StoryBoard Quick 3.0
Authors:       PowerProduction Software
Professor:     Dr. George Fornshell
Student:       Leanne C. Boyd
Usercode:      boydl ( boydl@scis.acast.nova.edu )
Due date:      November 17, 1997


       Getting Visual Ideas Out Of Your Head and Into the World:
            StoryBoard ARTIST 2.0 and StoryBoard Quick 3.0


I.   Brainstorming -- A Tool for Pre-visualization

     When we begin to look at software that will allow us to 

organize our thoughts, ideas, and actual pieces of data, we are 

talking about "tools for brainstorming." We are defining means 

for pre-visualizing a final project or collection of ideas.

     It perhaps comes to mind that the tools used by those in 

the visual communications professions might be the most 

efficient tools for use by any learner. For younger learners 

today, there are many popular, cultural offerings that took many 

hours of production, but which began with a strict structuring 

of content. A student, in developing his own ideas for a 

project, might wonder how his favorite programs were created. 

Which tools were used to create "The Simpsons," Warner Bros. 

productions such as "Tiny Toons" or "Animaniacs," or Disney 

productions such as "Disney TV" or "Timon & Pumba?" (Power-

Production, "...Product quotes," 1997).

     Those in the industry look for much the same in software as 

the student learner probably seeks. They want a user-friendly 

multimedia authoring system with such tools as sound, animation, 

and branching capabilities and that demand little programming 

code writing. They want to bring a project from concept to 

finished product in the best way possible.

     What ideal program would give these kinds of uses, for the 

professional or for the student? MacroMedia's Director 4.0 for 

Windows, for instance, costs $1,200.00 and does a delightful job 

of storyboarding and presentation. (Li-Ron, 1994). Were 

"Animaniacs" or "The Simpsons" developed with Director? The good 

news for student learners is that the higher cost of MacroMedia 

Director is not a necessity, for much of the production of these 

programs was done with a less costly tool: StoryBoard ARTIST 2.0 

and StoryBoard Quick 3.0, by PowerProduction Software. 

(PowerProduction, "...Product quotes," 1997).

     These tools cost around $750.00, which is about half the 

price of Director. However, in the early learning stages while a 

student is evaluating tools, PowerProduction offers demos of their 

software. MacroMedia also offers demo versions of their 

products, but this writer knows that the learning curve for 

Director is much higher than for the PowerProduction products.

     Whichever route is taken, it is important to remember what 

seems to be a cardinal rule for developing content within a 

storyboard or an organizational undertaking:

          "Never begin a multimedia project without first 

     outlining its structure and content...[m]apping the 

     structure of your project is a task that should be started 

     early in the planning phase." (Vaughn, 1994, p. 389, 390).


     StoryBoard Quick and ARTIST give the student learner an 

excellent and easy interface in which to begin exploring methods 

for visual layouts of projects. This review intends to show the 

quality of these software tools.


II.  Thinking Out Loud -- Visually!

     "Designing and building multimedia projects go hand-in-

hand." (Vaughn, p. 388). Even in the business world, motion-

picture-type storyboards can be used to get the various elements 

of a multimedia project to work together. Because multimedia 

applications are often nonlinear, attempting to chart the 

multiple pathways through a project will probably result in a 

paper GLUT. In the business world, multimedia developers use 

tools to overcome the "paper problems," such as flow-charting 

software and simple storyboarding software. (Salamone, 1996).

     All of these tools have similarities to Semantic Networking 

software, in which the pieces of data are arranged and linked in 

logical, thought-out, and categorized hierarchies. It should be 

noted here that PowerProduction Software’s offerings are no 

different, and in fact may be more usable by a younger learner, 

simply because the interface is much simpler. The abilities (as 

with Semantic Networks) to devise a spatial representation of 

content perhaps is the best aid available for helping the 

memory. By placing content in a structured environment, this 

helps the developer/learner to comprehend his data more 

thoroughly, and it improves the retention of content.

     The beauty of these tools is that these advantages are 

retained not just by the developer of the storyboard but also by 

the eventual users of the product! For a software that takes so 

little time to learn, perhaps as little as 30 minutes for 

grasping the main strategies, this allows more time for 

development of ideas, rather than learning a software. 

(PowerProduction, "...Product quotes," 1997).


III. The Communication Factor Goes Up

     A storyboarding software should be judged by not just ease 

of use, but by its ability to quickly communicate each step of 

production. StoryBoard ARTIST and Quick make the communication 

factor go up because of the printing, copying and sending 

capabilities. (PowerProduction, "...Product quotes," 1997). This 

is extremely useful for a student learner who may be developing 

a project in a team environment with other classrooms, or even, 

indeed, students from another location on this planet!

     Studies have shown that, before a child can begin to learn 

how to read, a basic "neural wiring" has to be in place. 

Children have to be able to track things with their eyes, focus 

attention and interpret symbols. (Nadia, 1993). Although these 

skills are developed at a very early age (before school age), 

tools such as PowerProduction are very useful in strengthening 

those skills. The ability of storyboarding to not just track 

data but to represent situations and things by visual symbols, 

reinforces early skill development.

     PowerProduction offers its software for multi-platform use, 

on both Macintosh and PC platforms. They are quickly setting 

industry standards in pre-production visual planning tools. 

(PowerProduction, "Welcome...," 1997) This review should begin to 

show that this attention to spatial relationships and timelines 

that gives the professional such an easily usable but highly 

effective tool, is also a main attraction for the student 

learner. Simply put, it gives the producer of a project a mighty 

tool for creating a blueprint.

     Remembering our cardinal rule that you "...never begin a 

multimedia project without first outlining its structure and 

content," let’s examine why this blueprint advantage is so 

effective:

          "A few basic structures for multimedia projects will 

     cover most cases: linear, hierarchical, nonlinear, and 

     composite." (Vaughn, p. 390).


      These are important for the developer to remember, as the 

categories will help to create the best balance in the spatial 

relationships he is building. "All successful media projects 

need a blueprint to follow through production." (Power-

Production, "StoryBoard ARTIST...," 1997) In a linear format, 

users navigate sequentially from one frame to another. In a 

hierarchical setup, users navigate along the branches of a "tree 

structure" that is shaped by the content’s natural logic. A 

nonlinear format lets users navigate freely through the content, 

and doesn’t use predetermined routes. In a composite structure, 

users may navigate freely but are sometimes restrained to linear 

presentations or a hierarchy of logically organized bits of data.


V.   Academic Criteria and Conclusion:
     Creative Thinking -- A Banquet, A Feast

     PowerProduction Software creators have recognized one *very 

important element* in the world of creativity and deeper 

thinking concerning representational efforts. They make it very 

clear that "[c]reative minds don't always come with the ability 

to draw." (Power-Production, "StoryBoard Quick...," 1997). This 

delineation is essential when it comes to production of a 

storyboard. The main creative strengths of one learner may be 

very different from that of another learner (audio, visual, 

verbal creativities, etc.) Many times, the strength of a 

software such as StoryBoard ARTIST (and Quick), as well as the 

next-of-kin example of a Semantic Network, is in the 

consolidation of large amounts of information. After all, 

"[c]hildren need a flood of information, a banquet, a feast," 

said Martha Pierson of Baylor College of Medicine. (Nadia, 1993)

     A storyboard eventually gives the viewer a concise and 

perhaps speedy overview of a project. However, in the 

development stages, that storyboard may have taken many hours to 

create. PowerProduction’s software are excellent discovery 

programs, where the learner can discover relationships and hard 

data at his own rate. Critical thinking is necessary, as well as 

problem-solving capabilities, to form ideas and formulate 

"routes" through the project. These storyboarding software are 

almost an antithesis of drill and practice programs -- they 

advocate solving of more complex problems that *have* no simple 

solutions. This, in turn, engages numerous systems in the 

learner’s brain and strengthens the connections among them. The 

benefits in a learner’s thinking then manifests themselves in 

the actual project! (Nadia, 1993).

     The absolute best offering, therefore, of StoryBoard ARTIST 

and Quick is that they are tools that allow even young learners 

to grapple with problems with which they are intimately 

concerned, for an extended period of time. The experience will 

make a much more lasting impression.

     In a way, the learner, as a producer of his own content, 

becomes a archetype for all aspects of his creation. He becomes 

the idea originator, the artist, the storyteller, and the avid 

"player of the game" (the user). Moreover, he then has the 

choice of sharing this gift with others! StoryBoard products 

allow learners to create an open-ended, "never-ending story."


---
REFERENCES (SOFTWARE)
     PowerProduction Software. (1993-1997) StoryBoard Quick
(Version 3.0). StoryBoard ARTIST (Version 2.0).[Computer
Software]. Los Gatos and Los Angeles, CA: company is Author.
Available: http://www.storyboardartist.com/

---
REFERENCES (DOCUMENTATION)

     Li-Ron, Yael. (1994). Roll your own multimedia apps.
[Online]. _PC Computing_ v. 7 (Oct. ‘94) p. 82. [Product
evaluation]. Abstract from: FirstSearch File ( fscat.oclc.org ):
Standard No.: 0899-1847.

     Nadia, Steve. (1993). Kid’s brain power. In: The Oregonian, 
Technology Review, 12/15/93. Beaverton, OR: Riggs Institute. 
Website last modified: Thursday, October 16, 1997. [Online]. 
Available: http://www.riggsinst.org/brain.htm

     PowerProduction Software. (1997). Website last modified: 
October 07, 1997. [Online]. Available: 
http://www.storyboardartist.com/
     _____ Orders and info. [Online]. Available:
     http://www.powerproduction.com/order.html
     _____PowerProduction Software product quotes. 
     [Online]. Available:
     http://www.powerproduction.com/press/pr_quote.html
     _____Professional pre-visualization planning tool for
     creating media projects: StoryBoard ARTIST overview. 
     [Online]. Available: 
     http://www.powerproduction.com/artist/artist.html
     _____StoryBoard Quick 3.0: Product overview. [Online].
     Available: http://www.storyboardartist.com/quick/sbqnew.html
     _____Welcome to PowerProduction Software. [Online].
     Available: http://www.storyboardartist.com/homeleft.html

     Salamone, Salvatore. (1996). What’s the story?. (multimedia
story boarding). _Byte_ v. 21 (Mar. ‘96) p. 67-8+. [Feature
article]. Abstract from: FirstSearch File ( fscat.oclc.org ):
Standard No.: 0360-5280.

     Vaughn, Tay. (1994). Multimedia: Making it work. (2nd ed.). 
Berkeley, CA: Osborne McGraw-Hill.

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APPRAISAL CHECKLIST -- COMPUTER SOFTWARE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

KEY WORDS:
Storyboard, multimedia, timeline, project format, structure,
visual ideas, communication, animation, software tool, pre-
visualization, interface, production, linear, non-linear,
hierarchy, interactive, digital media solution, sketch,
frames, captions, overview, screenwriting, thumbnail,
blueprint, customize, characters, props, locations, link,
script, dialogue, camera.

                                       Format:
Title: StoryBoard ARTIST 2.0           |__| Drill and practice
   and StoryBoard Quick 3.0            |__| Tutorial
Series Title (if applicable):          |__| Game
Not a series, but compatible           |__| Simulation
   for project design                  |_X| Discovery program
Other: *note: multidimensional format  |_X| Problem solving

Source: 1) PowerProduction Software website
           http://www.storyboardartist.com/homeleft.html
        2) Order from software company, 
           PowerProduction Software, 432 Los Gatos Boulevard,
           Los Gatos, CA 95032. Phone: 408.358.2358
           Fax: 408.358.1186; Email: info@powerproduction.com

Date: current versions, 1997.

Cost: StoryBoard ARTIST 2.0, $499.00; upgrade $59.00
      StoryBoard Quick 3.0,  $249.00; upgrade $69.00

Length:
N/A. Learners will spend time utilizing these tools, as required 
or with level of interest.

Subject Area: Across the curriculum.

Intended Audience: 
Learners of any age, as well as professionals or hobbyists;
persons with multi-level project ideas.

Brief Description:
StoryBoard ARTIST 2.0 is a pre-visualization planning tool for
creating media projects. StoryBoard Quick 3.0 is a tool for
creating "shooting boards," or visual sketches necessary for
bringing an idea to reality. The latter allows users to develop
ideas very quickly, while ARTIST allows in-depth development.

Objectives:
To learn, through fairly deep creative, critical, and analytical
thinking, how to utilize text and graphics to organize difficult,
multi-level or intricate projects, which may be multimedia in
nature, or not.

Entry Capabilities Required:
(e.g., prior knowledge, vocabulary level, math ability)
An understanding of the data to be used in the project; vocabulary
level necessary for projecting information on the particular
subject; design knowledge useful, not necessary.


Rating (for both software):                  High  Medium  Low  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Match with curriculum                         |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: StoryBoard products are ideal for use across the
curriculum. Any subject can be developed with this timeline
and visualization duo.

Accurate and current                          |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: All data found for products (on the website) was
updated regularly, with documentation for software updates.

Clear and concise language                    |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: If anything, this is one of StoryBoard's best
qualities. The user interface is made easy by simplification
of concepts and actual language/descriptions.

Arouse motivation/maintain interest           |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: Because these tools make visualization so simple and
almost instantaneous, the interest level stays high as the
learner anticipates the next step(s).

Learner participation                         |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: The easy interface allows the learner to control
each step of his production, and participation levels increase.
In a team project, the layout and design of these tools would
allow group participation around the same computer station.

Technical quality                             |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: Both software tools are of very high quality, with
much development in making steps simple and usable by the
user. I found the technical quality to be superior for a mid-
range-cost software.

Evidence of effectiveness
(e.g., field-test results)                    |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: PowerProduction's history seems to be very good. All
evaluation documentation was favorable, indicating these
software are highly usable tools by every level.

Free from objectionable bias                  |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: The website, in-house documentation's claims were,
of course, highly optimistic. However, outside literature such
as online magazines and user evaluation seemed to support the
high claims of the authoring software company.

User guide/documentation                      |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: The help files and online documentation are simple
and easy to follow. The software provides extreme ease of use.

Clear directions                              |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: As stated before, all documentation is excellent.

Stimulates creativity                         |x|    |_|   |_|  
Comments: I think these tools rate extremely high in this
category. Not only is the user creating the environment for
presenting a project of his own design, but many times, he will
be utilizing creative efforts of his own making, such as art,
graphics, writings, etc. This is the height of the creative
state, when the learner is in control of not only the parts
and components, but also the presentation hierarchy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Strong Points:
Extremely easy to use, with very high quality results. The
learning curve on both tools is measured in hours, not days
or weeks. These tools allow high creative thinking in a short
time; also quick pathways to organization of any given project.

Weak Points:
I cannot find any weaknesses in these two tools, other than
the possible factor that, at $500.00 and $250.00 these mid-range
prices may be prohibitive for personal purchase. The school or
learning center would have to provide the tools.

Recommended Action:
I would recommend StoryBoard ARTIST and StoryBoard Quick for
use in the classroom. Access could be provided either per-
class or within a learning center or computer lab. The tools
offer such tremendous capacities for organization, creation
of content and project construction, and for collaborative,
team-work-type projects, that it would be ideal for use for
any subject, and just about any grade level. The interface is
simple enough to be learned by even very young students.

Name:  Leanne C. Boyd
Date:  November 15, 1997 (review due date, November 17, 1997)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|  Prentice Hall grants the reader permission to reproduce   |
|  this checklist for personal use only. Heinich, Molenda,   |
|  Russell, and Smaldino, Instructional Media and            |
|  Technologies for Learning (1996). A computer version of   |
|  this Checklist is found in "The Classroom Link."          |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~