Course Title: Write content for cross platform delivery

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2011

Course Code: COMM5926

Course Title: Write content for cross platform delivery

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6088 - Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting

Course Contact : Program administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368

Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Keren Flavell
Email: keren.flavell@gmail.com


Nominal Hours: 70

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

At RMIT, you are required to have completed all first year core competencies before enrolling in this elective course.

Course Description

In Writing for Cross Platform Delivery you develop an appreciation of the different media platforms and learn how a narrative can be built and expanded to give the audience options to experience, consume and even interact with the story and its universe. The course does NOT involve writing of software scripts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VPAU311 Write content for cross platform delivery

Element:

1. Work with a creative team.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Participation in developmental workshops is effective and creative
1.2 Goals are developed and confirmed
1.3 Negotiations are effectively resolved
1.4 Ideas are offered and received positively

Element:

2. Create interactive narrative for web.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Initial concept is discussed and confirmed
2.2 Character sand their world are developed
2.3 Genre and proposed audience are articulated
2.4 Plot script including non-linear components is developed
2.5 Proposed distribution points for the content are researched and outlined
2.6 Specific interactive elements are identified
2.7 Flowchart outlining front and backend requirements is developed

Element:

3. Create characters.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Character arcs, journey options and locations are determined and detailed
3.2 Genre and style are agreed
3.3Alterntive endings are established where applicable
3.4 Conditional options are determined

Element:

4.Develop narrative bible

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Synopses are prepared and confirmed with associates
4.2 Pilot script including top level interactive elements and front end flow chart is prepared
4.3 Visual style and/or interface is illustrated
4.4 Distribution points and delivery channels for content are included

Element:

5.Prepare proposal

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Flow charts, navigation maps and interface sketches are developed and included
5.2 Plotting devices, navigation, interactivity, games-play and reusability are clearly identified
5.3 Target audience is delineated
5.4User point of view, activities and experiences are clearly described


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to develop a narrative script for interactive cross platform delivery


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• class exercises
• individual and group project work
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion

2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent and group project based work
• online and other research
• discussion and comment via blackboard
• independent study


Teaching Schedule

Week Content Assessment due  Elements
1 Digital media: an overview

Looking at the history of digital media as applied to narrative storytelling. Exploration of a broad cross section of creative opportunities in the digital space, and more specifically how narrative demonstrably works across multiple platforms.
Case study examples. 		  2/4
2 Digital Production: Part 1

Part 1 of this session describes the unique production processes and techniques required for producing content for distribution to multiple platforms. 		  2/4
3 Digital Production: Part 2

Part 2 of this session takes a more in depth look at concept
creation and the specific tools and skills required to engage audiences across multiple platforms. 		  2/4
4 The Audience

Looking broadly at the passive and active audience by establishing current and future audience trends (including fan culture). More specifically the session will focus on two way audience interaction, user generated content, online communities and managing audience involvement.
Class Exercise – Student to make 5 minute pitch for ideas
and teams formed 		  1-4
5 Webisodes

Looking specifically at the rise of short format entertainment
for online and portable devices. Exploring practical tools for
the development of webisodic (serial) content. 		  2-4
6&7 Transmedia Entertainment

Sessions 6 & 7 explore contemporary examples of transmedia entertainment. This includes in depth case studies and an analysis of audience engagement across multiple platforms. 		  2-4
8 Social Media

Looking at a broad cross section of social media applications
and focusing on their practical application to storytelling.
More specifically, this session explores audience interaction
and involvement in new social environments.
Class exercises. 		  2-4
9 Portable Devices

This session explores storytelling across mobile and portable
devices, including narrative and locative gaming, mobile
broadcast, on portal distribution, mobile applications and GPS. 		  2-4
10 Branded Content

Exploration of commercial opportunities for storytelling in the
digital space by using case studies to demonstrate brand
integration, sponsorship, marketing and advertising.
Presentations. 		Assessment 1 due 1/2
11 How to write an effective proposal   5
12&13 Games

Week 12 & 13 looks at a broad cross section of narrative lead console, online, mobile and portable games. It focuses on the
role of the games writer, the cross platform application of
games from existing media properties and audience trends.
Writing storylines and characters that engage. 		  2 - 4
14 Alternate Reality Games

This session explores the role of the writer and development techniques for the creation of alternate reality gaming projects. 		  2 - 4
15 Funding

This session outlines opportunities for government funding and looks at the practical tools and techniques required for application processes 		  1/5
16 Pitching Session

This week will involve student presentations of their transmedia project. 		Assessment 2 due 1/5
17 Assessment Week (No classes)    


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Any prescribed reading material will be distributed in class


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

You will require access to a computer and to the internet


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is on going throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written and practical projects. Creation of cross platform project including a substantial screenwriting component suitable for online; character outlines; narrative bible/cross platform strategy; pitch proposal. 

 


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

Assessment 1. Team Presentations
Team Presentations – 10 minutes in length. You will form teams and develop cross-platform projects then pitch your project to the class.
Due date: Week 10
Percentage Weighting: 40%


Assessment 2. Cross Platform Content Written Proposal
You will create a proposal for a cross platform project which includes finished scripts suitable for online; character outlines; narrative bible; pitch proposal.
Due date: Week 16
Percentage Weighting: 50%


Assessment 3. Class Exercises
Due date: Ongoing throughout semester
Percentage Weighting: 10%

Your assignments will be graded. The grades used in this unit are as follows:
Grades used in this unit are as follows:


80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration





Other Information

Feedback

You will receive both spoken and written feedback on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv

Late Submissions
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the course blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.

Special Consideration Policy
Please refer to the following URL for information on applying for special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;



Course Overview: Access Course Overview