by Rodger Smith

As BSU enters into the world of immersive learning we are indeed redefining traditional approaches to education.  As a part of that effort the Institute for Digital Entertainment and Education, in cooperation with the College of Fine Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance, created DEOP -- the Digital Entertainment Option Pilot. 

DEOP's purpose was to explore two things: 1) If you provide students a basic training in digital media creation (writing, camera, editing, production) in an immersive environment and then let them "play," can they create quality cinema-like product?   2) Are there alternate ways to deliver immersive educational experiences that are cost effective in a university environment?  The answer to both questions was a resounding "yes, you can." 

In August, 2006 fourteen students from Theatre & Dance as well as double-majors in Theatre and Telecommunications participated in DEOP.  They spent two semesters (9 hours each semester) at the Mitchell Place Studio in downtown Muncie, Indiana.  They were surrounded by all the audio, video, and editing equipment they would need to be able to create story product, and were immersed in workshops and practical projects to intensify the learning process.  The experience was aimed at mirroring what otherwise would take four years in a traditional structure, and was concluded by a one-semester immersion event.

In the first semester professional screenwriters and playwrights conducted three-day workshops followed by three weeks of intensive story creation.  That experience complemented other studies in which students collaboratively learned the Final Cut Pro editing system with a student mentor certified by Apple in that software; as well as acquiring skills in lighting, costume, production, photography, and flash animation. 

All the while the students were engaged in learning new skills, they were practicing those skills on the job under the tutelage of professionals.  Together students and professionals worked to create commercially viable products.  For example, Indianapolis companies such as Road Pictures and Media Sauce teamed with DEOP to create two webisode series (episodic pieces for the net--much like TV episodes but much shorter, usually no more than 3-5 minutes).  In this way the students had the opportunity to get a sense of what might be required of them in their chosen fields. 

DEOP exceeded all expectations of what might be accomplished.  The results:

• over fifty short cinema pieces;
• a movie-trailer like format for live theatrical productions which was used to advertise the Theatre & Dance main stage season;
• three webisode series consisting of 12 webisode digital stories;
• a partnership with HotBox Pizza to supply their web site with audience-specific entertainment;
• fourteen movie reviews for the Muncie Star;
• a music video;
• an instructional piece for long distance education.

Most of all, DEOP correctly proved Marshall McLuhan's statement that: "Those who distinguish between education and entertainment don't know much about either." (Understanding Media, 1964). 

Note: DEOP is featured prominently on the BSU website in two pieces:

http://www.bsu.edu/portfolio/0705/ (BSU's Portfolio Series), and http://www.bsu.edu/annualreport/article/0,2060,292016-18130-50034,00.html (Presidents Report)