Week One, 31 August: Telling a Story

Introduction to the Class. Writing for Multimedia
In-class Exercises: a) interaction basics b) the vital verb

For 7 September

Read: Timothy Garrand, Writing for Multimedia and the Web (hereafter Garrand), Chapters 1 & 2, plus (very short) Chapter 4
Research: Over the next week, read and compare the main news stories (just one or two) in either the New York Times or the Washington Post (broadsheet newspapers) AND in the New York Post (tabloid). What kinds of openings or leads does each use? What are the differences between the tabloid and broadsheet headlines and leads. Bring an example from each paper of a good opening or lead to class next week.

 

Week Two, 7 September: Writing the Lead

Classifying the Lead
Journalists' Tricks: a) the lead b) planning the story

For 14 September:

Write: Mini-Assignment #1: News Story
Read: Garrand, Chapters 6 (both very short)

 

Week Three, 14 September: Clear, Dazzling, Precise

Due: Mini-Assignment #1: News Story
Writing with Detail

For 21 September:

Research: Listen to All Things Considered and/or Morning Edition on NPR (available daily on WAMU - 88.5FM or WETA - 90.9FM) and online (current and archive versions). Concentrate on those stories that 'tell as story' and use interview material from participants. Note down the different elements in this kind of story. For example, what is the purpose of the commentary from the reporter? And what do the direct voices of those interviewed contribute. If you want to examine British radio for a change, listen to The World Today on the BBC World Service and ask the same questions.

 

Week Four, 21 September: Hearing Voices

Audio scripting: demo script & tips for writing for audio
In-class exercise: audio ad.

For 28 September:

Write: Mini-Assignment #2: Audio Story (due midnight, 30th September) & begin Group Project Proposal (due 5 October)

 

Week Five, 28 September: Interactivity Workshop

Meet in NCC Conference Room, Enterprise Hall

For 5 October:

Read: Garrand, Chapter 7
Research: Building on your readings in the textbooks, your experiential learning and our work in class on 28 September, draft a 2 - 3 page (typed, please) summary (with evidence to back up your ideas) of your understanding of interactivity in complex interactive multimedia. You might include the following: definitions of interactivity; essential ingredients of interactivity, structures of interactivity, routes to enhancing interactivity, and so on.

 

Week Six, 5 October: Information Structure

Due: Group Project Proposal
Architecture + Time

For 12 October:

Draft (in writing): the main ideas for your Group Project Treatment in sufficient detail that we might discuss them in class next week

 

Week Seven, 12 October: Adding the Visual

Writing with video
Two-column script format
Terminology
Sample shot list
Create two columns

For 19 October:

Research: View and take notes on the footage for Mini-Assignment #3. Itemize the main elements of the story as you see them. No more than five or six! Bring your shot notes to class and send me an electronic copy. Sample shot list & terminology crib sheet

 

Week Eight, 19 October: Dimensional Writing

Due: Group Project Treatment
Sequences, Scenes and Beats

For 26 October:

Write: Mini-Assignment #3: Video Story

 

Week Nine, 26 October: Web Words

Due: Mini-Assignment #3: Video Story
Informational multimedia & the Web
Web Words

For 2 November:

Read: Garrand, Chapters 8, 18 & 19
Begin: Experiential Learning, Part II

 

Week Ten, 2 November: Interactivity

Meaningful Interaction & Flow-Charting

For 9 November:

Read: Garrand, 14 and 15, to prepare to write your Informational Multimedia Script
Write
: Script #1: Informational Multimedia

 

Week Eleven, 9 November: Telling Real Stories

Due: Script #1: Informational Multimedia
Script#1 Workshop & Scene-Numbering for Interactivity

For 16 November:

Read: Garrand, one narrative multimedia case study (individual assignments)
Complete: Final version of Script #1

 

Week Twelve, 16 November: Structure and Story Analysis

Due: Final Script #1: Informational Multimedia
Who, What, When, Where, Why & How: The Structure of Narrative: Sit-Coms, Soaps and Prime-Time Drama

For 30 November:

Write: Group Script (Due to reviewers by 5-00 pm, 29 November)

 

Week Thirteen, 23 November: Thanksgiving Recess

 

Week Fourteen, 30 November: Interactive Writing

Group Script Review Workshop & Troubleshooting

For 7 December:

Work on: Group Script
Read: Press release examples (TBA)

 

Week Fifteen, 7 December: Launching a Project

Press, Presentation & Troubleshooting

Editing
MPAA, November, 2005
Nasdaq, September 2005
Sony, November 2005

For Exam. Day:

Write: Press Release and finalize Group Scripts

 

Exam. Day: Project Launches

Due: Final Group Script, Press Release and Presentation