These are the questions for which writers need answers
if they are to be a part of the information superhighway.
What do all these things mean for
the creators of interactive content? For the writers of linear fiction? For programmers and graphic artists? How does one learn to think interactively? What sort of story lines are suitable and what scripting methods are needed? How much technical knowledge does one need and where is it found?
These are the questions that will be answered in one semester course delivered one on one with your personal instructor to your computer.
The Virtual Classroom is a private school featuring one to one instruction in the creation of new media. Students are offered programs in the design and development of computer games; hypertext fiction; web content; multimedia, interactive advertising; and compact disk and digital video production.
The Virtual Classroom is a practical program of study presented in a flexible, online, non-academic structure. Faculty are writers, working artists or technicians who mentor students to accommodate varying backgrounds.
A practical program of study for those wishing to prepare for a career creating interactive media: an intensive, hands on curriculum. The study units will require an average of six to eight hours to complete the assignments. The entire program will take several months, depending upon the student's experience and diligence. Required study time will vary according to the student's level of mastery. Students will meet with the instructor on line during the course of the program. Personal instruction and consultation is avaiable at all times.
The course materials will cover:
1. Introduction to Creating Interactive Media.Gloria Stern is an electronic journalist, instructor, CD and game consultant, author, columnist and reviewer. Ms. Stern is the author of DO THE WRITE THING: MAKING THE TRANSITION TO PROFESSIONAL, the popular volume for writers seeking publication. Ms. Stern's work appears at the Los Angeles Times online, Gamasutra and GameSages. Ms. Stern is the host for Hollywoodnetwork Interactive Live Chat and Workshop, where she appears regularly. She is an associate editor/contributor to the Web Developer's Virtual Library, a charter member of the Virtual Drama Society, founder of Two By Two, The Mouse Trap and the The Writer's Guru, a jurist for the Global Information Infrastructure and a member of the HTML Writer's Guild.
2. The Nature of Interactive media.
3. How to Think Interactively
4. Bringing Random Access under control
5. Prototypes for Interactive Media
6. Narrative Forms for Interaction
7. Creating User Involvement; challenges; puzzles; quests; mysteries and games.
8. Tools and Elements of Interactive and Multimedia Production
9. Hypertext Movement - Interface design
10. Scripting Interactive media - software and hard copy.
11. The Interactive Project - The production schedule
12. The Design Document - getting it made
13. The Production Team
14. Job Descriptions and Salary Ranges
Minimum Requirements - skills
Word Processing.
Experience in writing, journalism, or computer related fields of graphics, programming or productionMinimum Requirements - Hardware
486 PC with Windows 3.1 or 95/NT/98 or a MAC 7
Browser
Access to the internet
CD drive and a CDrom for study
Find your new career in a relaxed, non-academic atmosphere and enjoy a personally conducted learning experience. Save wear and tear on you, on your automobile - (no parking fees), no pop quizes, no questionable campuses. Explore the world of interactive media - learn on your own, on your own machine - at home.
© Gloria Stern N Hollywood 2000