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