1. Orientation
2. Creative Cross-Training
3. Mechanics of Media Writing
4. Mechanics, cont'd
5. Terminology

Course Orientation

Welcome to Media Writing. This on-line course is an introduction to various types of media writing for various types of media. We will emphasize similarities in professional media writing as a style of writing meant to be performed, produced, and delivered through a medium such as radio, television, film or Internet. Regardless of the final medium of delivery or its intended audience, all writers must:

• Understand how to research the subjects of their stories
• Take control of language
• Synthesize and organize information
• Understand story
• Commit to deadlines

Media writers must also understand that different media contents have distinctions in purpose, approach, production methods, and professional climate. This class involves the study and practice of media writing with emphasis on adapting copy to fit needs of various electronic media environments. This basic introduction to media writing emphasizes the similarities in professional media writing environments while also recognizing that radio, television, film and multimedia writing environments each have special demands unique to medium and purpose.  Because so many employers of media writers often subcontract jobs, the at home computer environment seems like a reasonable place to apply the skills of media writing.  It is in many ways a “real world” experience.  An important skill the independent writer must develop is the ability to effectively manage time in order to meet the deadlines of a client or employer.

ACADEMIC WRITING VS. MEDIA WRITING

The Department of Media Studies uses the Modern Language Association (MLA) Style Manual for all academic writing. <http://www.mla.org/> Be aware that in this class you will not pursue academic or scholarly writing but professional media writing, which is intended to be performed and produced. It is not appropriate to complain to instructors in other classes that their style requirements differ from those in this class. Generally speaking, scholars do not write academic papers to be performed and produced.  If on the rare occasion an academic paper was to be produced, it would need to be adapted to the appropriate copy style for the medium it was intended.  The MLA guide has specific instructions for the placement of commas.  In this class, a comma that assists appropriate talent delivery is a correctly placed comma. You should also be aware that professional writing for electronic media will also differ in style from professional print media style (copy written for newspapers and magazines). 

To navigate this course successfully you will need the following things:

1. A dependable computer and access to the Internet.
2. Some reliable means of electronic storage for drafts of scripts and copy. You are still responsible for class assignments even if you misplace or lose your disks or cannot find your files. 
3. You will need screenwriting software. To download Celtx free media writing software or purchase media writing software such as Screenwriter 2000 or Final Draft.  If you already own media writing software and want to give Celtx a try (it’s free), you can open existing files in Celtx.
   
   To locate Celtx:
   1. Go http://www.celtx.com/
   2. Click on Celtx local install.

If you are currently using other writing programs for writing film and dramatic television scripts, you can open your screenplays in Celtx, but they have to be saved as other files first. Final Draft files have to be saved as "text only with layout" first, and then they can be imported to Celtx. Movie Magic Screenwriter files can be saved as "Formatted ASCII."  

Another option:

1. open the Screenwriter, Final Draft file --or Word document
   (for those of you who have had the lovely experience of attempting to write a professionally formatted screenplay in Word);
2. hit option A (Mac) or control A (PC) to select the entire file;
3. option C (Mac) or control C (PC) to copy the entire file;
4. open a new Celtx file;
5. hit option V (Mac) or control V (PC) to paste the file into the new Celtx document.

Before uploading any files to Blackboard either export as or save as a pdf file. In Celtx you must hit the typeset tab after writing the screenplay. In the upper left hand side of the typeset screen, you’ll see a pdf icon.

1. You will need Microsoft Word. You will need to know how to convert Word (doc) files as well as Celtx (Screenwriter, Final Draft files) to pdf files.
2. You will need access to a digital camera or disposable camera with which you can create your own images.  If you choose to shoot film, you will need to convert the film to digital files for inserting into the split page storyboard.
3.  You will need to understand and commit to strict deadlines. Although there is a great deal of freedom in an on-line schedule, media writers need to learn the importance of strict deadlines. The calendar week for this class begins on Sunday.  Students should have completed lessons and discussions by Wednesday.  You may submit copy or scripts early but late scripts have “missed air” and will not be graded. Assignments should be posted by Thursday.  All copy assignments made on Fridays must be submitted to Blackboard by the following Thursday before five p.m.  Late copy does not “make air” and will not be graded.  I will not accept emailed assignments.
4. ATTENDANCE: Because online discussions and feedback substitute for face-to-face discussion, students who have not posted informal discussions by Wednesday will be considered absent. Because discussions are not scripts or copy, the writing style will not have to conform to a media production standard and can be more informal.  However, students should try to communicate their ideas clearly. This means avoiding text messaging, misspelled words, and misused words. There are no tardy posts accepted in this on-line class. Students are either present or not. Students who do not post discussions or critiques will be counted absent. Late posts will not qualify for attendance.
5. UNITS:
   
   Unit One: Orientation and the Mechanics of Media Writing
   Unit Two:  Media Formats, Grammar, Style, and Production
   Unit Three: News and Information
   Unit Four: Educational Writing
   Unit Five: Writing Entertainment Media
   Unit Six: Writing Original Drama
   Unit Seven: Persuasive Copy
   Unit Eight: Writing for Interactive Media

WRITER’S PORTFOLIO:

For new graduates seeking employment a writer’s portfolio can be an important asset to impress agencies, stations, and in-house media departments about the quality of work you have produced. People hiring new graduates will want to see samples of produced work as well as sample scripts. While this course is introductory in nature, many students have been able to use scripts from class exercises to start their writer’s portfolio. At the least you should have some scripts suitable for production.

A writer’s portfolio should be compact and easy to transport. Each page should include brief and attractive looking writing samples of your quality work. A portfolio demonstrates that you are a serious writer.

The first page of your writer’s portfolio should include an attractive cover with your name, followed by a writer’s resume, a listing of completed freelance or other writing jobs and assignments. The resume should include a brief overview of your background and experiences as a freelance writer or any job related writing. You might also include a separate slip-sheet for storage of business cards so they are easily accessible and ready to distribute. Your portfolio should display your most important writing samples. It provides a way to introduce yourself and your work. Your writer’s portfolio should be reviewed and revised often. It is always in transition as you take on new jobs and your work matures.