Moving from Linear to Moving from Linear to Interactive & MultimediaInteractive & Multimedia

Example: In JournalismExample: In Journalism

Developing Interactive FeaturesDeveloping Interactive FeaturesWhile linear news stories are rather formulaic, interactive features can be While linear news stories are rather formulaic, interactive features can be highly creative, even though they still adhere to traditional standards for highly creative, even though they still adhere to traditional standards for journalistic integrity.journalistic integrity.

Quote from Jonathan Dube, “Writing News Online” (PoynterOnline)Quote from Jonathan Dube, “Writing News Online” (PoynterOnline)http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=41309http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=41309

““Print reporters tend to look for information. TV reporters look for emotion on Print reporters tend to look for information. TV reporters look for emotion on camera, sound bites and pictures to go with words. Online journalists must camera, sound bites and pictures to go with words. Online journalists must constantly think in terms of different elements and how they complement constantly think in terms of different elements and how they complement and supplement each other: Look for words to go with images, audio and and supplement each other: Look for words to go with images, audio and video to go with words, data that will lend itself to interactives, etc. . . . Tape video to go with words, data that will lend itself to interactives, etc. . . . Tape interviews whenever possible in case someone says that would make a interviews whenever possible in case someone says that would make a powerful clip. Look for personalities who could be interesting chat guests. powerful clip. Look for personalities who could be interesting chat guests. And always keep an eye out for information that can be conveyed more And always keep an eye out for information that can be conveyed more effectively using interactive tools.effectively using interactive tools.

Example of Linear News StoryExample of Linear News Story

These perspectives are not unlike those These perspectives are not unlike those we might find in a documentary; however, we might find in a documentary; however, the viewer decides what will be viewed the viewer decides what will be viewed and in what order.and in what order.

2 Kinds of Interactive 2 Kinds of Interactive FeaturesFeatures

1) Narrative1) Narrative NarrativeNarrative interactive features tell an entire story in a single Flash interactive features tell an entire story in a single Flash

presentation (e.g., Hunt). Narrative feature stories might employ a wide presentation (e.g., Hunt). Narrative feature stories might employ a wide range of interactive and multimedia elements within them (e.g., timeline, range of interactive and multimedia elements within them (e.g., timeline, photo essay, maps, audio, etc.). photo essay, maps, audio, etc.).

2) Nonnarrative2) Nonnarrative Nonnarative Nonnarative interactive features do not tell a story per se, but offer interactive features do not tell a story per se, but offer

interesting information or experiences that might supplement a news story. interesting information or experiences that might supplement a news story. For example, For example, “Islam in Europe” “Islam in Europe” does not tell a story; instead, it is a map that does not tell a story; instead, it is a map that provides data about Islamic populations and could therefore supplement a provides data about Islamic populations and could therefore supplement a wide range of stories. wide range of stories.

Creative Ideas for Flash ProjectsCreative Ideas for Flash Projects

Use your story as the foundation for Use your story as the foundation for brainstorming creative possibilities for brainstorming creative possibilities for interactivity.interactivity. For example, does the story involve For example, does the story involve interesting geography? Perhaps a map could be interesting geography? Perhaps a map could be involved. Are there engaging characters to involved. Are there engaging characters to profile? Is there a scenario based in plot, place, profile? Is there a scenario based in plot, place, or character that might lend itself well to a or character that might lend itself well to a game? Interactive and multimedia possibilities game? Interactive and multimedia possibilities can be used individually or in combination, in can be used individually or in combination, in narrative and nonnarative features.narrative and nonnarative features.

Creative Ideas Cont.Creative Ideas Cont.

Geographical MapsGeographical Maps“Islam in Europe” is an example of geographical maps “Islam in Europe” is an example of geographical maps commonly used because of easy incorporation of commonly used because of easy incorporation of interactivity through clickable regions. This piece can interactivity through clickable regions. This piece can supplement many stories about Islamic current events, supplement many stories about Islamic current events, culture, and history.culture, and history.

Image MapsImage MapsWhile geographical maps are common, While geographical maps are common, anyany image can image can become a clickable region—a person’s body, a school become a clickable region—a person’s body, a school yard, an object—charting space for exploration. yard, an object—charting space for exploration.

Creative Ideas Cont.Creative Ideas Cont. TimelinesTimelines (Darryl Hunt case; Zodiac). Timelines can work well to organize interactive features, (Darryl Hunt case; Zodiac). Timelines can work well to organize interactive features,

as people can click on a date of interest and see the corresponding event.as people can click on a date of interest and see the corresponding event.

People ProfilesPeople Profiles (Being a Black Man) (Being a Black Man)

Virtual Space & Simulations Virtual Space & Simulations (Navy)(Navy) Interactive 2D or 3D environments can allow people to Interactive 2D or 3D environments can allow people to navigate public and private space and even engage in simulations.navigate public and private space and even engage in simulations.

Interactive w/ VideoInteractive w/ Video (Nike Air Max and others) (Nike Air Max and others)

GamesGames (e.g., NYC Park) (e.g., NYC Park)

Photo Essays.Photo Essays. “Frozen Basketball” actually accompanied a feature story that appeared in the “Frozen Basketball” actually accompanied a feature story that appeared in the main publication of the main publication of the New York TimesNew York Times..

If-then ScenariosIf-then Scenarios One thing computers do well is calculate. This is how global warming trends One thing computers do well is calculate. This is how global warming trends and hurricane damage can get predicted, for example.and hurricane damage can get predicted, for example.

CollectCollect—finding the pieces, solve a mystery, create a collection.—finding the pieces, solve a mystery, create a collection.

CombinationsCombinations of the above of the above

Marketing Solutions Marketing Solutions (collect and if-then)(collect and if-then)

Public Relations Public Relations (game & if-then)(game & if-then)

Games Games Games that utilize interactivity as an integral aspect of the message Games that utilize interactivity as an integral aspect of the message (e.g., “(e.g., “Plan Your Future ParkPlan Your Future Park” in ” in Gotham Gazette Gotham Gazette combines game with if-combines game with if-then).then).

Video interactive – Video interactive – Nike AirMax by StardustNike AirMax by Stardust

Simulation – Simulation – Navy for Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS)Navy for Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS)

Creative NonfictionCreative Nonfiction Creative Non-Fiction: Saving Block IslandCreative Non-Fiction: Saving Block Island

An example of award-winning creative nonfiction comes from the An example of award-winning creative nonfiction comes from the Providence JournalProvidence Journal and is entitled “Saving Block Island: How Rob Lewis Led the Way.” In first person, and is entitled “Saving Block Island: How Rob Lewis Led the Way.” In first person, local hero Rob Lewis tells about how a citizen’s movement saved Block Island from local hero Rob Lewis tells about how a citizen’s movement saved Block Island from development. development. http://www.projo.com/extra/2005/blockisland/http://www.projo.com/extra/2005/blockisland/. .

Experimental JournalismExperimental Journalism Dennis del Favero’s Dennis del Favero’s Cross CurrentsCross Currents could be classified as creative nonfiction or could be classified as creative nonfiction or

“literary journalism,” as it brought attention to the abductions and forced prostitution of “literary journalism,” as it brought attention to the abductions and forced prostitution of women from war-torn Eastern Europe in the late 90’s.women from war-torn Eastern Europe in the late 90’s.

Group WorkGroup Work Option #1: In a group, create rough Option #1: In a group, create rough

storyboard sketches and site map to storyboard sketches and site map to develop an idea for an interactive develop an idea for an interactive feature based on 9-11 or one aspect of feature based on 9-11 or one aspect of 9-11 such as a hijacking. Get creative. 9-11 such as a hijacking. Get creative. Allow your viewer to explore and Allow your viewer to explore and interact in creative ways.interact in creative ways.

Option #2: Option #2: Midnight SonMidnight SonCreate plans for an interactive Create plans for an interactive multimedia presentation that multimedia presentation that introduces Dr. Tim Kennedy introduces Dr. Tim Kennedy (Associate Professor of (Associate Professor of Communication at University of Communication at University of Tampa) and his new book Midnight Tampa) and his new book Midnight Son (a photographic expose of the Son (a photographic expose of the famous blues singer John Lee famous blues singer John Lee Hooker--now deceased. Sketch a site Hooker--now deceased. Sketch a site map/outline and interface design for map/outline and interface design for each page. Do a little web research if each page. Do a little web research if you need to.you need to.

Questions?Questions?