ROBERT VANCE CROSS III

Education

• B.A., Realizations in Modern Technologies. Honors in the major.
  I have designed an independent major in which I studied the effects of digital technologies on society, and more specifically, artistic expression that utilizes digital technology. Thesis is an interactive film done in Flash, based on T.H. Hoffmans The Sandman.
• Electronic Music Minor.
  With an emphasis in sound engineering and music production.
• 4 years of AutoCAD drafting experience and training, with certification.
• University of California, Berkeley, summer 1999.

Experience

• As the Producer of an album I direct and oversee every aspect of the project from start
  to finish, ensuring that every element is optimized.
• Collaborate schedules to create development plans, delivery schedules, and production timelines.
  
• Construct and maintain a creative atmosphere for the client, which is one of the
  most crucial elements in the making of a succesful recording..
• Thorough understanding of hardware and software of Mac and Windows systems.
  
• Extensive knowledge of digital and analog recording tools including Pro Tools, Sound
  Forge, Nuendo, Cubase, MAX MSP, MX2424, Wavelab, Peak, and VoicePro.
  
• Ensuring that the optimum sound is being achieved through the available tools of
  microphones, amplification, compression, equalization, digital or analog recording
  and editing facilities.
• Having the patience and oversight to see through any difficulties that may arise, and
  quickly fixing those issues, be they technical or social.

Realizations in Modern Technologies

Sponsoring Faculty and Professional Interests

Alan H. Kawamoto-Empirical and computer simulation approaches to the study of perceptual and cognitive processes, psycholinguistics, problem solving

Donna J. Haraway-Cultural and historical studies of science and technology, relation of life and human sciences, feminist theory

Ann M. Lane -Political and cultural history and theory, feminist theory, intellectual history

Program Description

The best way to take the pulse of a nation for a specific time or place in history is to study their artists and how they interpreted the things that were happening around them everyday. Artists have a way of releasing feelings and ideas into a universal language that can convey their passion to the world. Whether it is art in the traditional sense; music, dance, theatre, film, or writing, art is often a reflection of the most relevant aspects of that artist, or group of artists' lives.

Now that we've entered the 21^st century, technology has become more prevalent than ever. Technology permeates every aspect of people's lives. My main interest is artistic expression in digital media, as well as the social adaptation of the ever-expanding technologies. Some of the technologies that are used to express ideas are; television, film, the Internet, computer art, animation, and electronic music. Another aspect of these expending technologies is their effect on the social consciousness, and the way ideas are exchanged and children are taught and raised. It's possible with these new mediums to express ideas in a manner and speed never available before.

Realizations in Modern Technologies begins with an overview of the fundamental elements which make up modern Western society. A basic understanding is built of human development and the human brain through psychology, societal issues are covered through Community Studies and Sociology, Computer development is discussed from a wide range of disciplines, and finally, music and art are interlaced much more prominently towards completion of the major in order to gain a broader understanding of the earlier aspects of study and utilize those learned tools in a way that can be shared and disseminated to the world.

There is a broad array of classes, from many departments of study. The varied selection of classes I have taken, has given me a point from which to reflect upon the many ways in which these new technologies are affecting society. Some deal with artistic expression, and others with cognitive issues, but they all deal with peoples perceptions of what is happening around them, and how they interact with and understand the world.