The media are all about writing Frank Baker Media Literacy Clearinghouse November 7, 2007

Media Messages Oft quoted statistic: On a typical day, we come in contact with an average of 3000 media messages

M= multitasking

In a world dominated by digital technology and visual text, it is vital to equip all students with the skills to communicate effectively. They must grow up knowing how to interpret the visual messages with which they are constantly bombarded, and as importantly, they must know how to express themselves in this medium. In a world dominated by digital technology and visual text, it is vital to equip all students with the skills to communicate effectively. They must grow up knowing how to interpret the visual messages with which they are constantly bombarded, and as importantly, they must know how to express themselves in this medium.

Teaching with/about media “Movies, advertisements, and all other visual media are tools teachers need to use and media we must master if we are to maintain our credibility in the coming years.” Jim Burke, from The English Teacher’s Companion “Movies, advertisements, and all other visual media are tools teachers need to use and media we must master if we are to maintain our credibility in the coming years.” Jim Burke, from The English Teacher’s Companion

Teaching with/about media The problem: Most teachers have no background on how to teach the “languages of media” The solution: Media literacy: critical thinking about media Media literacy: critical thinking about media

The media are all about writing Radio (music) Radio (music) Television (shows, commercials) Television (shows, commercials) Film (scripts) Film (scripts) Internet (web pages, podcasts, blogs) Internet (web pages, podcasts, blogs) Photography (visual literacy) Photography (visual literacy) Journalism (TV, newspapers) Journalism (TV, newspapers) Advertising/PR Advertising/PR

Media Literacy/Core concepts Core conceptsCore concepts All media are constructions All media are constructions Media use unique languages with their own set of rules Media use unique languages with their own set of rules Media convey values and points-of- view Media convey values and points-of- view Different people interpret the same media differently Different people interpret the same media differently Media are concerned with power/profit Media are concerned with power/profit Source: Center for Media Literacy

Critical thinking questions Who created this message? (authorship) Who created this message? (authorship) For what purpose was it made? For what purpose was it made? For whose eyeballs (audience) is it intended? For whose eyeballs (audience) is it intended? What techniques does it use? What techniques does it use? Who or what might be omitted and why? Who or what might be omitted and why? What does the message mean? What does the message mean? How do I know? How do I know? Who benefits from the message? Who benefits from the message?

Teaching scriptwriting “If video is how we are communicating and persuading in this new century, why aren't more students writing screenplays as part of their schoolwork?“ “If video is how we are communicating and persuading in this new century, why aren't more students writing screenplays as part of their schoolwork?“ Heidi Hayes Jacobs Ed Consultant

Script format VIDEOAUDIO everything that is seen everything that is heard (narration, sound effects, music)

Language of TV/Film Cameras Cameras Lights Lights Audio Audio Editing (aka post-production) Editing (aka post-production) Set design Set design Costumes Costumes Actors: non-verbal expression Actors: non-verbal expression

Examples Cell Phone commercial Cell Phone commercialcommercial Script ScriptScript

Examples VISA Ad Commercial Questions (refer to handout) Commercial

Examples Toy Advertising Cinderella’s Magical Talking Vanity Toy Advertising Cinderella’s Magical Talking Vanity

Examples Public Service Announcement (PSA) “Think Before You Post”

Motion Pictures

Ever seen a screenplay?

Storyboards

Adapting a novel video

New Resources Publisher: NCSS NCTE