Year 1 Sem 1 (Sem 1A)

As newbies, you will be introduced to the media industry through theory-based lessons such as Deconstructing Television (DT) and Creative Story Making (CSM) to build a strong foundation, where you still produce stories on paper and not yet on films. You will also slowly get accustomed to long nights and sleepless hours.

 Creative Story Making (CSM)

Inspirations don’t come when you stare at the moon long and hard. They come from anything and everything around you. The characters in your stories reflect the people you meet in your life, the places are the once you’ve been to or seen before, and by the end of the module, you will realise that there is a piece of yourself in everything that you write, and I don’t mean literally.  Elements of A Story 1) What a story needs – A central character aka the Protagonist 2) An Inciting Incident

a. Something that sparks off the story

b. Why is today different from another day? 3) A Goal for the Protagonist

a. What does the protagonist want?

b. What does he care about? 4) A Plan

a. How does the protagonist obtain his goal?

b. How does he overcome obstacles? 5) An Antagonist

a. The thing or person that’s stopping the protagonist from achieving his goal 6) Conflict

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">a. What’s the risk of fear? <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">7) A Resolution

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">a. How is the problem solved?

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">b. How has the protagonist changed throughout the journey?

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">c. Open-ended vs Close-ended

<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Secrets – A Storytelling Device

<p style="margin-top: 0.1pt; margin-bottom: 0.1pt;">A secret is a powerful story telling device as they:
 * Imply mystery and drama


 * Build tension


 * Create suspense
 * Engage the audience

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;"> Heroes, Myths and Legends (HML)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">This module teaches you more about heroes than myths and legends put together. In fact, you learn nothing about myths and legends, and instead you have to come up with your own grandfather's tale. You will also learn to create memorable characters for your stories (extremely useful).

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">7 Basic Story Forms

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1) Overcoming The Monster

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2) Rags to Riches

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3) The Quest

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">4) Voyage & Return

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">5) Comedy

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">6) Tragedy

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">7) Rebirth

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;"> Archetypes <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">Def. Common characters found in myths and legends. Constant through times and cultures. Helps us understand the function of characters in a story.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">1) Hero (protagonist)
 * Character who drives your story
 * Heroes should always be likeable, eventually.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">2) Mentor (wise man/woman)
 * To teach and protect the hero and/or…
 * To impart ‘gift’ to hero

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">3) Threshold Guardian
 * Blocks the hero’s way. Can be defeated. Can even turn into a friend.
 * To test the hero. Helps the hero grow and become stronger.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">4) Trickster
 * Clown, sidekick, friend
 * Comic relief, relieves tension and conflict

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in;">5) The Shadow (antagonist, villain)


 * To be worthy opponent of hero’s struggle


 * Dedicated to the destruction of the hero

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"> Visual Communication (VC)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">You are bombarded with visuals everyday through advertisements, dressing etc. Visuals alone can tell a story, without the use of dialogue. The actions and expressed emotions can inform, persuade, warn and motivate viewers. The lessons here will stay with you FER LYF. Ask any DTVM student. All of us no longer see a picture as just a picture. We look out for Rule of Thirds, colours, positions, and subtle, underlying messages. Watching TV will never be the same again (damn!).

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Forms of Visual Communication:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Dramatic -- Evokes intense emotions

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Non-dramatic -- Still life

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Interactive -- Requires viewer’s response, like touchscreens

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Messages conveyed:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Informative

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Explicative (excessive)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Directive (has a focal point)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Expressive (emotive)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Visual Analysis: <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- What do you see?

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- What is it trying to say?

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- How is it portrayed/executed/communicated?

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Why is it portrayed that way (purpose)?

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Time factors: When and Where

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Who are the intended audience?

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Composition: Aspect Ratio <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Standard TV (NTSC) – 4.3

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Recent TV (HDTV) – 16.9

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Shot: <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Mid-shot (MS)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Close-up (CU)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Extreme close-up (ECU)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Wide-shot (WS)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Long-shot (LS)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Two-shot

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Over-the-shoulder

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">What’s a…

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Frame – Still image

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Shot – A take before a cut

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Scene – Different shots in one location

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Sequence – A variety of scenes that is related, usually developing around a subject

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Lines:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Horizontal ( – ): Peace/stability

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Vertical ( | ): Power/strength

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Diagonal ( / ): Dynamic/instability

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Colour:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Primary – Red, Green, Blue

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Secondary – Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, (K)black

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Additive: Add up to white (RGB)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Subtractive: Filters white light to desired colours.

<p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in;">Mise-en-scène: What you see within a frame, without any cuts (one shot).

<p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in;">Cinéma Vérité: Cinema of Truth (what you see is what you get)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;"> Writing across Media Platforms (WMP)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Ah…welcome to the world of Journalism, where your brain juices will dry up and your mind needs to quench its thirst by the end of every lesson. Look forward to fun activities by Yours Truly and influence people with your powerful words (that doesn’t involve strings of profanities).

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Examples of Media Platforms: <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Print

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- TV

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Radio

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- SMS

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Website

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Evolution: Print --> Broadcast --> Online

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">TV Terminology: <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">1. Miss-take – Something than can be corrected, forgivable

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">2. Cut – Stop

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">3. Standby – Prepare

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">4. Cue – Start

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Mainstream media = Conventional/traditional media

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">E.g. Newspaper, TV, Radio news channels

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Internet (not always mainstream)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">E.g. Websites, blogs

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Why writing is still important? <li style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">     The need to develop content that is meaningful and appropriate for new media.</li>

<li style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">     Develop writing style and creativity.</li>

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">How To Trust Sites – Evaluating Info on the Internet <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">ü Authorship (url, domain)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">ü Publishing Body (headers, footers, about us, contact us)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">ü Point of view or bias (info is rarely neutral)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">ü Referral to other sources

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">ü Verifiability

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">ü How current it is

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">ü How to distinguish propaganda, misinformation, disinformation

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">ü Feedback of forum inputs (gauge of audience)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Characteristics of Digital Age:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Manipulative: Easily changeable and adaptable at all stages of creation, storage, delivery and use.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Networkable: Can be shared, exchanges among many users simultaneously and across enormous distance.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Dense: Large amounts of info can be stored in small physical spaces (e.g. Thumbdrives, network servers)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">- Accessible: Technology allows us to connect to all over the world in seconds

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">What is New Media?

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Convergence of 3Cs – Communications network, Content Information, Computing & info technology

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Aka Digital Media: Combines data, text, sound, images of all kinds

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Shovelware: Stories barely changed from print or broadcast offering

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Vs.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Repurpose: Fit into the medium

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Lean back: Watch TV, sit back, relax

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Vs.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; border: medium none; padding: 0in;">Lean forward: Interactive action (new media)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"> Deconstructing TV (DT)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">So, you want to write for TV. You first got to learn how it all came about. This module will guide you through the history of TV and how genres evolve with time.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">Purpose of TV:

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Inform

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">a. News

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">b. Bulletins

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">c. Info programs

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Educate

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">a. Documentaries

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">b. Children’s TV

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">i. Fun(ny)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">ii. Magical

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iii. Touching

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iv. Educational

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">v. Action-packed

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">vi. Aspires children to be heroes/good

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Entertain

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">a. Drama

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">i. Appeals to emotions

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">ii. Funny (comic relief)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iii. Interesting plots

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iv. Scandal/sex to hook audience

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">b. Comedy

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">i. Funny

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">ii. Behavioural

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iii. Quirky

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iv. Dysfunctional

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">c. Game shows

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">i. Knowledge

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">ii. Solving puzzles

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iii. Foolish contestants

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iv. Challenging

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">v. Competitive

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">vi. Family-oriented

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">vii. Elements of suspense

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">d. Reality shows

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">i. Challenging

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">ii. Extreme!!

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iii. Transformation

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 2in; text-indent: -2in;">iv. Emotional

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"> Issues and Viewpoints (IVP)

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">The world we live in is not a beautiful place, well, not all the time. Learn about the harsh, harsh realities around world. Learn from the stupidity of man in the past, be aware of the current manmade disasters, and worry about the future. Be very worried. And grateful every morning for being able to wake up by the alarm ring, not a bomb on your rooftop.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">Objective – unbiased

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">Subjective – to a person’s opinion

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">Racism --> Hate --> Resentment --> Violence --> Death

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">I have no idea what else to say cause I have practically no notes for this.

<p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in 0.1pt 0.5in;">Aaand that's all we have for Year 1 Semester 1. The following semesters would only get worst better, and busier. Stock up on those Red Bulls and condoms. I mean, candles. For late nights. Period.