"One Man Band’s MIDI Made Easy Vol. 1 – Beginners" was my capstone project created during the final year of my Graphic Communications degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The goal was to develop a multi-part educational video series that taught MIDI basics to beginners on both Mac and PC platforms.

Inspired by a desire to demystify MIDI in a fun and accessible way, I created a fictional video series hosted by my alter ego “One Man Band.” The project served as a culmination of everything I had learned throughout my program, merging 3D animation, interface design, scripting, multimedia production, and video editing into one ambitious endeavor.

The series was designed to walk viewers through MIDI fundamentals with a mix of humor and clarity. Each episode focused on a specific topic—ranging from 1 to 10 minutes, and combined scripted narration, live-action segments, and animated overlays to present technical content in an engaging, approachable format. I served as the host, editor, and creative lead, using professional-grade equipment rented from the university to ensure high-quality production throughout.

To support cross-platform compatibility, I demonstrated MIDI workflows on both Mac and Windows systems, recreating the look and feel of each platform’s native applications. This attention to visual authenticity extended to the custom-designed DVD menus, disc art, and packaging, which were styled to reflect the aesthetics of early-2000s operating systems.

The visual tone of the project was heavily inspired by the TNT docudrama Pirates of Silicon Valley, which dramatized the rise of Apple and Microsoft. I adopted the personas of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, styling wardrobe, framing, and transitions to reflect that rivalry as a playful way to highlight differences in MIDI handling between the two ecosystems.

In addition to the main content, a 10-minute “Bonus: Outtakes” reel was included to showcase behind-the-scenes moments and bloopers. During my capstone presentation, this segment earned some of the biggest laughs from faculty, students, and parents—serving as both a comic relief and a reflection of the project’s personality.

For audio, I was granted access to MSUM’s professional recording studio and received special permission from former professors to use the space. I also rented a high-definition camera for filming and built a DIY teleprompter using a broken chair, plexiglass, and my inverted laptop, allowing me to deliver lines smoothly and stay on script throughout.

The completed project was presented to a live audience of faculty, students, and parents during MSUM’s senior showcase. While the instructional videos were polished and informative, it was the humorous tone and creative execution that won over the crowd. The outtakes, in particular, proved to be a memorable and well-loved addition.

Although the project itself is somewhat dated now, it remains a personal favorite. It represents the culmination of years of media study, and the final result still reflects my personality, storytelling sensibilities, and ability to bring together complex multimedia elements into a cohesive whole.

A copy of all versions of the physical discs and their cases were handed in for grading and were put on display within the Graphic Communications building for many years after.

• Scriptwriting & Hosting
Developed original instructional scripts and performed on-camera narration for each video.

• Multiplatform Instructional Design
Created tutorials tailored for both Mac and Windows users, showcasing parallel workflows.

• Multimedia Editing & Composition
Edited all footage using Final Cut Pro, with audio mastered in GarageBand and ProTools.

• DVD Authoring & Interactive Menus
Designed and programmed multiple DVD versions with unique visual interfaces and extras.

• Comedic Direction & Engagement
Used humor and personality to elevate dry content, most notably in the outtakes segment.

• Cross-Team Collaboration
Coordinated with faculty and classmates for studio access, gear rentals, and content reviews.