INSTRUCTION  & CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Jeannie Novak provides game development, e-business and project management instruction at universities, community colleges, and career schools in the Los Angeles area and online since 1998. She has also provided private piano instruction and master classes for over 15 years.

Game Development, E-Business & Project Management

UCLA EXTENSION (Entertainment Studies)

Music for Games

UCLA:  190 Royce Hall
Saturday ,  10am-1pm
September 25 - November 20 , 9  mtgs.

The fast-growing game industry provides limitless opportunities for musicians, composers, music supervisors, and producers. In this course, participants learn how to create music for games and break into this exciting and lucrative industry. Topics include a history of game audio; structure of the game industry; tools used in producing game music; distinction between composing for games and films; relationship between music, gameplay, and story; the immersive qualities of game audio; looping versus adaptive music; nonlinear composing; player-composer collaborations; game audio career choices and strategies; demo creation; networking; contractual issues; game music organizations; and the future of the game industry. Guest speakers (subject to availability) include Alexander Brandon, Audio Director, Midway; David Javelosa, composer/music technologist, Jurassic Park; Christian Johnson, Audio Director, Vivendi Universal Games; Aaron Marks, composer and author, On Your Mark Music; Lennie Moore, composer, Outcast; Mical Pedriana, Audio Director, Electronic Arts; Chance Thomas, composer, Unreal II: The Awakening; and Rich Ragsdale, composer, Aliens vs. Predator. Elective course in Certificate Programs in The Music Business, Songwriting and Film Scoring.


***********************
Careers in the Game Industry

UCLA:  2214 Public Policy Bldg.
Wednesday ,  7-10pm
September 29 - December 15 , 12  mtgs.

This course provides an overview of careers available in the game industry, including game designer, tester, artist, producer, programmer, writer, composer, and marketing professional. Lectures, discussion, and projects enable participants to understand the current state of the game development industry, what it takes to create a game from start to finish, a brief history of the computer game development industry, and future trends. Additional topics include transitioning into the industry from other careers, networking, demo and resumé preparation, interviewing, and principles of freelancing and entrepreneurship. Elective course in Certificate Program in Film, Television, and Digital Entertainment Media.

*******************************************************
 

ACADEMY OF ENTERTAINMENT & TECHNOLOGY (Santa Monica College)

ET42: Principles of Game Development - NEW
Mon, August 30 - December 20 (2-5pm)
This course is an introductory overview of the electronic game development process and underlines the historical context, content creation strategies, and future trends in the industry. The course will also explain how games are produced, tested and released. The game industry is the fastest growing segment of the entertainment market and an excellent field for career advancement.

ET3: Principles of Project Management - NEW
Mon, August 30 - December 20 (6:30-9:30pm)
Effective project management plays a key role in the execution and completion of interactive media projects. In this introductory course, students will learn step-by-step how a project develops and evolves through the project management process. Topics include planning, time management, risk management, team management, contract administration, and budgeting. Students will identify the components of a project management team, project manager roles and responsibilities, and organizational structures in interactive media. Case studies and problem solving will provide insight into practical applications of project management techniques.

ET4: Interactive Design for E-Business
Thurs, September 2 - December 16 (6:30-9:30pm)
This course is an overview of e-business models and strategies, and the web design principles necessary for their success. Topics include financial models, online marketing, infrastructure, security, online communities, virtual workplaces, consumer demographics, intranets, extranets, usability, accessibility, project management, and future predictions. Students will also learn how to apply e-business principles to other emerging technologies and industries—including music distribution and file sharing, distance learning, mobile and wireless communication, interactive entertainment, and game development.
 

Private Piano Instruction
Professional pianist and educator Jeannie Novak provides piano lessons for children, adults, professional musicians, and vocalists in the Los Angeles area. House calls are available. Rates are $60/hour lesson.

Contact jeannie@jeannie.com for more details.

• sightreading
  
• improvisation
  
• accompanying
  
• composing
  
• theory 
  
• technique
  
• ear training
  
• classical, jazz, and popular repertoire

Jeannie Novak can provide instruction tailored to your needs - ranging from basic instruction for kids to specialized practical knowledge for music professionals using keyboards in performance and recording.