End of Marking Period; Interactive Fiction Project Due!

Please take the first 20-30 minutes of class today to complete your interactive fiction project.

HINT: the best way to conclude a "thread" is to write a conclusion for that decision or action.

With the rest of the class, please:

1. Read and post a comment on someone ELSE'S blog from this marking period.

• Linden
• Ariel
• Hannah
• David
• Simone
• Andrew
• Harrison
• Pia
• Aryonna
• Sarah
• Zachariah
• Thalia

2. Complete your favorite music post and your post about the Grammys. (if you didn't finish last class)
3. Complete and submit any late work for MP2 for minimal credit.
4. Complete your homework (due next week) on the Music Industry (Chp. 4)
5. Enjoy video games (end of our unit). See the Google classroom to play HTML TWINE games from your peers.

HOMEWORK: None. Chapter 4 questions are due next Friday (Feb. 7)

Writing Time & An Introduction to the Music Industry

Period 7:

Please turn in your homework for Chapter 3, part 2 (see previous post for details!)

WRITING TASK(s):

The end of the marking period is Friday. All late/missing/incomplete work needs to be turned in by then for partial credit.

--Your review/article of Ready Player One
--Your review/article of an Atari console game
--Continue writing your Interactive Story Project (The choose your own adventure assignment)
--Blog article posts from this marking period: computer games & games you play post (Dec.); 1984 Government post (Dec.); propaganda post (Nov.); other*
--Gender in Video Games post; Use the source material below to write a reflective post on your blog defining your position regarding  misogyny (or race/gender/marginalization) in video games & digital media. Remember to attribute your sources.
--EXTRA CREDIT: Write a dystopian story (like 1984 or V for Vendetta)
--EXTRA CREDIT: You may gain extra credit if you, like Anita Sarkeesian, film a vlog post or create a Podcast and upload on your blog your own critical review on the topic in a review of games you play. [You may work collaboratively on this project!]

The fiction project will be due Thursday, Jan. 30. If you are writing your dystopian story, this is also due Thursday, Jan. 30.

Period 8:

Introduction to the Music Industry!

Please complete the following assignment(s) today in class:

Writing Task #1: On YOUR blog (10-15 minutes)
What is your favorite style or genre of music? If you have more than one (many people do) when do you like to listen to these musical styles? Furthermore, why do you like this style of music--what do you get out of the experience of listening to this music? Finally, in your post, identify your favorite musical artist and explain why you like this artist's music. Why should anyone listen to him/her/them?

• Blogs are published and meant for readers to enjoy each post you create. Consider adding a picture of your favorite band or singer, or [since this is a music related issue] embed a video of your favorite performer's best piece (one that you most likely wrote about) from Youtube.

Writing Task #2: The Grammy's 2020. (15-25 minutes); if you missed the Grammys this year, check this quick review.

Read the linked article by Jon Pareles from the NY Times. On YOUR blog, post a reaction to this critics commentary/review of the recent Grammy's. Pick at least 1 winner or loser (those who were nominated but did not win...) that Pareles comments on and either AGREE with him or DISAGREE. Make sure you support your opinion and give reasons why you agree or disagree...

You may also comment in your post about bands or musical artists who SHOULD have been nominated for a Grammy in their area (see the Washington Post article linked above) but perhaps were overlooked or did not get nominated. Why? What is your OPINION about the music industry as an "institution" of mass media?

HINT: Hyperlink to Pareles' article or other articles you come across to help your blog readers understand what you are spouting off about... [You may also find it helpful to include videos or photos in your post!]

HOMEWORK: Complete any work you did not complete in class. Fiction projects are due Thursday, Jan. 30.

Writing Day (The end is nigh!)

Today use the time in class to complete all writing activities/projects/assignments for Media Studies, Marking Period 2... These include:

--work on your HOMEWORK (see below): please read the rest of chapter 3, Digital Media and answer the ?'s (due Tuesday, Jan. 28!) You can work on this today in class...or...

WRITING TASK(s):

--Your review/article of Ready Player One
--Your review/article of an Atari console game
--Continue writing your Interactive Story Project (The choose your own adventure assignment)
--Blog article posts from this marking period: computer games & games you play post (Dec.); 1984 Government post (Dec.); propaganda post (Nov.); other*
--Gender in Video Games post; Use the source material below to write a reflective post on your blog defining your position regarding  misogyny (or race/gender/marginalization) in video games & digital media. Remember to attribute your sources. If you quote Chu or Sarkeesian (or another source) make sure you give them credit for their ideas!

• Your Princess is in Another Castle (article) - Arthur Chu
• Damsel in Distress, Part 1 (video; parts 2 & 3 can be viewed as well...) - Anita Sarkeesian
• Women As Reward - Feminist Frequency (video) - Anita Sarkeesian
• Not Your Exotic Fantasy - Feminist Frequency (Sexist, Racist Tropes in Video Games, video) - Anita Sarkeesian
• Video Games and Gender by Michelle Zorilla (blog/website) 
• Why are Video Games so Gendered by Deirdre Cole (article)

--EXTRA CREDIT: Write a dystopian story (like 1984 or V for Vendetta)
--EXTRA CREDIT: You may gain extra credit if you, like Anita Sarkeesian, film a vlog post or create a Podcast and upload on your blog your own critical review on the topic in a review of games you play. [You may work collaboratively on this project!]

To write/make a podcast: 

1. start with an outline of the topics you (and your partner(s) will speak about). You can find an outline template on our Google classroom resources page.
2. Record yourself having an informative discussion about the topic
3. Discuss your subject. Make sure all participating speak. NOTE: [Don't go beyond 5 minutes--no one wants to hear you rant randomly on a topic you know nothing about...]
4. Upload the MP3 to your blog either by using the movie slate icon or linking your file through the internet. You can create MP3's easily through Windows Movie Maker; save as MP3 instead of a video project (see the FILE menu for details!)

We will be covering the making of Podcasts next semester.

The fiction project will be due Thursday, Jan. 30. If you are writing your dystopian story, this is also due Thursday, Jan. 30.

HOMEWORK: Complete any work you did not complete in class. Fiction projects are due Thursday, Jan. 30. Please read the rest of Chapter 3 and answer the ?'s for TUESDAY, Jan. 28.

Media Studies Topic: Misogyny in Video Games; Interactive Fiction Project

Please submit your Ready Player One film review to our Google classroom.

Today we will discuss Misogyny in Video Games. Let's start with Arthur Chu's article "Your Princess is in Another Castle." Then please watch the linked videos.

WRITING TASK: Use the source material to write a reflective post on your blog defining your position regarding this important issue about the misogyny of video games & digital media. Remember to attribute your sources. If you quote Chu or Sarkeesian (or another source) make sure you give them credit for their ideas!

EXTRA CREDIT: You may gain extra credit if you, like Anita Sarkeesian, film a vlog post or create a Podcast and upload on your blog your own critical review on the topic in a review of games you play. [You may work collaboratively on this project!]

To write a podcast, start with an outline of the topics you (and your partner(s) will speak about). Record yourself having an informative discussion about the topic and upload the MP3 to your blog either by using the movie slate icon or linking your file through the internet.

Your Princess is in Another Castle (article) - Arthur Chu
Damsel in Distress, Part 1 (video; parts 2 & 3 can be viewed as well...) - Anita Sarkeesian
Women As Reward - Feminist Frequency (video) - Anita Sarkeesian
Not Your Exotic Fantasy - Feminist Frequency (Sexist, Racist Tropes in Video Games, video) - Anita Sarkeesian

With the remaining portion of class, please work on this project or work on your interactive fiction project. The fiction project will be due Thursday, Jan. 30. If you are writing your dystopian story, this is also due Thursday, Jan. 30.

HOMEWORK: Complete any work you did not complete in class.

Ready Player One: Conclusion; Film Review & Twine Interactive Fiction Project Writing Time

We will complete Ready Player One today in class.

After viewing the film, please write a 300-500 word review of the film. Consider such areas of scrutiny as: editing (pacing), special effects (sound & visual effects, such as CGI), direction, acting, and writing (script and dialogue).

You can find details about who was responsible for what job at IMDB.com at the link. You can also see Warner Bros. website for info. If you use other reviews or these sites, remember to attribute your sources!

Film reviews usually start with a clever quip or hook, followed by a thesis (this movie was good or this movie was bad)--and a general plot summary of the premise (what was the film about?). Body paragraphs are generally focusing on 1 of the topics above (editing, special effects, direction, acting, writing, etc.), and a conclusion: reasons to see (or not see) the film. Remember to give reasons for your criticism and support your opinions!

NOTE: Remember that full-length film titles are ITALICIZED!

After you complete your film review, please upload it to our Google Classroom. The review is due on Wednesday at the start of class.

If you finish your review, please continue to write your interactive fiction project. See previous posts for details.

HOMEWORK: Complete your film review for Ready Player One. Work on your interactive fiction project.

Ready Player One: Day 2

Continue watching the film Ready Player One and taking notes for your film review article.

HOMEWORK: Please continue working on your interactive fiction story with TWINE.

Interactive Fiction Project: Day 1; Ready Player One; Film Review #2 Notes

Period 7: Welcome back!

In the next few weeks we will be writing and designing our own text-based adventure game. Please read the following as advice:

Interactive Text Based Game Design Project

Please read the instructions on how to use the program (handout): Twine. Go to their website (click on the link) and begin to create your own interactive fiction game.

1. To start, open your Google drive and choose an interesting setting in which to begin your story. Adventure, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and even historical romance can be good genres to start with. You want your protagonist to be an active participant in your story, so create an interesting concept for a character--but remember that your reader will play the part of this character. 
2. Once you have a character and setting idea, move along by typing the opening paragraph(s) of your story idea. Use IMAGERY (details about what a character hears, sees, smells, tastes, touches, or feels) along with VERISIMILITUDE (specific details about your setting, characters, or situations that help create the description of your story and help it come alive in the imagination of the reader!) Don't forget that it's important that the reader know WHO they are as a character and WHAT situation the character finds him/herself in at the opening of your story.
3. NOTE: Please write your story in 2nd Person POV! See your CYOA handout for models.
4. When you have completed your first description and have given your character a choice of decisions to be made, you may copy and paste your text into the TWINE boxes available. Make sure you select the START box to paste your writing and begin your TWINE adventure.

You may wish to download this program to your computer (if working at home) or "use it online" by choosing that option. I recommend using the program online. Remember to always ARCHIVE your work before logging out!

Some things to remember:

• Read the tutorial. Really. It has information that will be useful for this project.
• Fiction is a story that is not true. Feel free to choose any genre you would like to write (see articles above for some ideas for CYOA games)
• Descriptions are key! You will want to write your story with enough specific imagery and good writing skills to immerse your reader into the story. Describe your settings, characters, add dialogue where needed, etc. Just like you would do if you were telling a good fiction story!
• You may wish to plan your story using index cards to represent a map of locations or scenes for your story (like a storyboard). It is harder to write one of these story games if you are making it up on the fly--so a plan is almost a requirement. 
• Be creative and have fun!

Still confused and need some visual help? Check out these tutorial videos...

• Tutorial #1
• Tutorial #2
• (Advanced) Tutorial #3, & Tutorial: Variables, & Tutorial: If Statements/Conditions

This project is not due yet.

Linden's version of Spacewar!: Play Spacewar!

Period 8 (or end of 7th):

Film: Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg. 

Before we view the film, check out and read the information on Steven Spielberg. Also, check out information about the film at IMDB.com (international movie database). You will use this information (I hope) along with the content of the film we watch in class to write or vlog a film review. 

A film review is similar to other kinds of reviews (like a game review). It usually opens with a hook to grab the attention of the reader, followed by a lead-in that identifies the subject matter and creates a thesis: was this film any good?

• a hook or introduction that explains what the film is, who created it or directed it or acted in it, and a summary of the storyline or important themes of the film. 
• an analysis of the parts of the film. Usually, for a film, this includes a judgment about the story, the acting, the special effects, the sound or music, or other technical film details like the editing or the production quality of the film. Each part usually consists of a paragraph.
• a review ends with the writer's opinion about the quality or worth of the film. Is this a film that you enjoyed watching? Why or why not? What is the final conclusion: should someone watch this film?
• sometimes a review ends with similar films to watch or something wise to consider about the product that a consumer should be aware of. In essence, "why should I see this film?" Other critics may rate the film (thumbs up, thumbs down, 3 out of 10, C+, etc.)

As you watch the film, take notes of key/major topics (see handout). You will use your notes to help you write/film your review.

HOMEWORK: None. Work on your TWINE project.

For advanced students, consider using Sugarcube to tell your story. Here's some info on that: SugarCube is an alternate JavaScript library for Twine that handles media, media playback functions, advanced linking for passages, UI elements, save files, and much more. It can turn your basic text adventure into a multimedia extravaganza rivaling such adventure games as Myst or Beneath the Steel Sky.

Check here for more info.