The Assignment
You should script collaboratively a multimedia production which each group will
present to the remainder of the class (as critical audience) at the end of the
semester.
You may create any type of fictional narrative multimedia production you wish, but its target audience and purpose must be clear.
Part of this assignment is your ability to choose collectively a project that your group can execute within the time available this semester and in your respective schedules.
Two options:
- If you have the time and expertise within your group, you may script your
complete multimedia production. This option suits best a clear, coherent,
relatively short, self-contained production.
- Some multimedia productions require a time commitment far beyond the resources of this class. In this case, you may submit a proposal and treatment for the entire production, but submit a script for only a segment of the production. The segment you write, though, should fulfill all the requirements of the assignment. This option might work best if you want to develop a complex interactive narrative multimedia game, for example.
As the subject matter and style of the group project are so open, you may wish to develop, as a group, a project that will add to your résumé or contribute to a 'show reel' of your work.
Remember, too, that with planning, you may be able to merge this assignment with an assignment for a multimedia production class. For example, you might script the project in this class and execute it in another class.
Objectives of the assignment
- to practice working collaboratively to develop a coherent production
- to execute with confidence the multiple writing tasks (both in communicating with your client (me) and internally within your group) required in a multimedia production
- to script meaningful interactivity into your production
- to learn from each other new concepts, new perspectives and new skills
Dates and Parameters
Proposal
The proposal constitutes your 'pitch' to me as a potential client. You should
convince me through your analysis of your target audience and potential competitors,
and your evocation of the originality and dynamism of your project that I
should give your endeavors the green light.
Length: one single-spaced page, or two double-spaced pages
(no more and no less!)
Treatment
The treatment is your detailed description of your project, outlining 'story'
trajectory, the development of the 'story,' the types and levels of interactivity,
the goals of the production and its payoffs. (See the models in Writing
for Multimedia and the Web.)
Length: at least five double-spaced pages
Script
Not many requirements here. You should use a relevant script format for your
goal. Remember, however, that scripting takes much longer than the writing
of prose or drama, although you often write far fewer words. Start early and
exchange texts often.
Length: as long as it takes
Presentation (Exam. Day)
In your hands!
Grading
25% of your individual grade for this project comes from your group members'
evaluation of your contribution to the project. It is thus quite possible
for the group project to receive one grade and for individual members within
the group to receive different grades.