Week-by-Week Schedule |
| Week One | |
| 18 January | Telling a Story
Introduction to the Class: What is multimedia? In-class Exercises: a) Where's the Writing? b) Writing a Story |
| For next week | Read: Writing Across the Media (WAM), Chapter
1 & Chapter 5.
Research: Over the week, read the main news stories (just one or two) in the New York Times or The Washington Post (broadsheet newspapers) and the New York Post (a tabloid). What kinds of openings or leads does each use? What are the differences between the broadsheet and the tabloid treatment of the same story? Bring in an example from each paper of a good opening or lead. |
| Week Two | |
| 25 January | Clarity and the Writing of the Lead
In-class Exercises: a)Writing Leads b) Editing Lincoln c) The Vital Verb d) Using Detail |
| For next week | Read: Writing for Multimedia (Multimedia),
Chapter 1 & Chapter 2 (2nd. ed.: also Chapters 1 & 2, plus v. short
Chapter 4)
Write: Mini-assignment #1: 300-word article |
| Week Three | |
| 1 February | Interactivity
In-class Exercises: a) Investigating Interaction b) Creating Interaction (Netscape Composer instructions, if required) Due: Mini-assignment #1: 300-word article |
| For next week | Read: WAM, Chapter 7, pp 155 - 169 and Multimedia,
Chapter 4 (2nd. ed.: Chapter 5)
Research: Listen to All Things Considered and/or Morning Edition on NPR (available daily on WAMU - 88.5 FM and WETA - 90-9 FM and online (current and archive issues) at NPR. Concentrate on those stories that 'tell a story' and use interview material from participants. Note down the different elements in this kind of audio story. For example, what is the purpose of the commentary from the reporter? And what do the direct voices of those interviewed for the story contribute? If you want to examine British radio for a change, listen to The World Today from the BBC's World Service and ask the same questions. Think about how formal or informal the commentary is, too. |
| Week Four | |
| 8 February | Hearing Voices (and why they are important)
Writing for audio and selling your project. In-class Exercises: a) Write a news bulletin b) Write a radio ad. (We'll spend time in class working on assignments for next week, too) |
| For next week | Read: Multimedia, Chapter 3 (2nd.ed.: also
Chapter 3), and WAM, Chapter 3
Write: Mini-assignment #2: (short) audio script; audio script demo Group: Write pitch/proposal for multimedia project |
| Week Five | |
| 15 February | Adding the Visual
Writing with video In-class Exercises: a) documentary video format b) creating double-column documentary format c) reconstructing a script Due (Group): Proposal/pitch for multimedia project |
| For next week | Read: Multimedia, Chapter 5 & Chapter
6 (2nd.ed.:Chapter 6, Chapter 7 and Chapter 8)
Write: Begin writing mini-assignment #3: (short) video script (due 1 March) Documentary video format |
| Week Six | |
| 22 February | SNOW!
Due (individual): Mini Assignment #2: (short) audio script |
| For next week | |
| Week Seven | |
| 1 March | Writing in Three Dimensions
Visual Writing: Communicating to Clients and Collaborators In-Class Exercises. |
| For next class | Read: Multimedia, Chapters 7,
8 & 9 (2nd.ed.: Chapters 14, 15 & 16) and WAM, Chapter
8
Research: Find one piece of instructional multimedia on the web or on a CD-ROM. Analyze the the structure and form of the piece, using the concepts introduced in the Multimedia readings (chapters 6 & 7 (2nd. ed.:Chapters 7 & 8). Bring your notes, and the URL of your piece (or its disc) for use in class. Be prepared to talk briefly to the class about the piece you have found. Write: Mini-assignment #3: Video Script
|
| Week Eight | |
| 8 March | No Class - Spring Break! Have a great holiday! |
| Week Nine | |
| 15 March | No Class - Lesley Smith @ 4Cs conference Due: Mini-assignment# 3: (short) video script (Send electronically) |
| Week Ten | |
| 22 March | Workshop & Interactivity +1 Workshop Group Treatments In-class Exercises: a) Precision b) Scene Descriptions Due (Group): Treatment for Multimedia Project |
| For next week | Read: WAM, Chapter 8 & Multimedia,
Chapters 13 & 14 (2nd.ed.:Chapters 18, 19)
Write: Mini-Assignment # 4: Instructional Multimedia script. |
| Week Eleven | |
| 29 March | Telling Real Stories
The Structure of Narrative: Sit-Coms, Soaps and Prime Time Drama In-Class Exercise: a) Thinking Linking Due (Sunday, 1 April): Mini-assignment #4: Instructional Multimedia script |
| For next week | Write: Proposal for individual Narrative Multimedia
Script (extra credit) Research: Look at some of the short films available on sites such as iFilm.com and Atom Films, or a short film you can find on video (cartoon structure is fun to analyze). Choose one you really enjoy and analyze its structure. Identify exposition, conflict, climax and resolution. Identify one sequence you particularly admire. Bring your analysis and a URL, tape or other form of transmission to class. |
| Week Twelve | |
| 5 April | Story Analysis
Adding Interaction: Who, What, When, Where and How again Due: (extra credit but no longer optional) Proposal for individual Narrative Multimedia Script |
| For next week | Write: Treatment for individual Narrative Multimedia (optional for extra credit) |
| Week Thirteen | |
| 12 April | Workshop
Treatment for individual Narrative Multimedia Troubleshoot Group Multimedia Scripts Due: (optional for extra credit) Treatment for individual Narrative Multimedia Script |
| For next week | Group: Complete Script for Multimedia Project |
| Week Fourteen | |
| 19 April | Workshop
Scripts for Multimedia Project Due (Group): Script for Multimedia Project |
| For next week | Write: Script for individual Narrative Multimedia |
| Week Fifteen | |
| 26 April | Group Project Work
Troubleshooting Projects, Writing Press Releases and Preparing Presentations Due: Script for individual Narrative Multimedia |
| For next week | Group: Complete Multimedia Project and Presentation & prepare Press Release. |
| Exam. Week | |
| 3 May |
Valedictions |
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