Building Virtual Worlds is the second class that I took at the Entertainment Techonology Class at Carnegie Mellon University. Started by Randy Pausch, BVW takes four students in different disciplines (Programming, 3D Modelling, Texture Art, and Sound Engineer). My role during the class was sound engineer, taking music or sound effects, placing them in an interactive world or game, and making it appear realistic through acoustic sensory.
There are five rounds in Building Virtual Worlds; each of which are about 2-3 weeks long. You are randomly assigned in your team and platform, you pick a producer and you try to make the best interactive entertainment experience possible. By the end of the semester there is a jury for the "Building Virtual Worlds Show," where the top interactive pieces are awarded a spot in the most technologically advanced showcase in the world.
I was fortunate enough, as the only undergrad participating in the master's class, to be awarded two slots in the show. Both can be seen below:
ConnectIt! Relay (Producer & Sound Engineer) - Give kids life size crayons, a jumbo PlayMotion projection, some dots with numbers, and you've got yourself a Connect the Dot Relay Race.
Pennsylvania Jones (Lead, Sound Engineer & Props) - Pennsylvania must save his borther Indiana in this epic adventure through Egypt.