Multimedia classroom ideas glossary and resource list

Linked term

Text

Connect with audiences

Students can inform audiences about their work, events, campaigns etc. using a combination of traditional oral, written and visual texts, multimedia forms and digital platforms
Data Five types of data are used in multimedia: text, still image, moving image, sound, animation.
Design tools Objects, media, or software used to design, for example, annotated layout diagrams for user interface, wireframes, storyboard.
Equipment The equipment for making media arts works can range from a single item to a very complex set-up. It can include digital and mobile devices, cameras (still or video) or equipment for sound and lighting. Props, costumes and sets might also be used during production. Choices depend on the form of the media work and the artist's intentions. 
Media/multimedia platforms For example, app, websites, games, print/online news, audio, social media, online video sharing.
Media Arts production process

The skills, techniques and processes to create media artworks are developed through the three stages of production: pre-production (including scriptwriting, storyboarding, sketching designs, planning, research); production (including capturing, recording, directing); and post-production (including mixing, editing, assembling, laying out, distributing). Students learn through critical thinking and creative processes in media arts practice. They learn to collaborate in creative teams and analytically respond to, and interact with, context and audience. Students learn to apply key concepts, story principles, and elements of media (symbolic and technical) as they design, produce, distribute and analyse media artworks. Students learn and use the established and emerging techniques and practices (media conventions) for creating within different media forms.

As students’ learning progresses, they learn about safe practice in media arts and develop digital citizenship through processes that respect rights, responsibilities and protocols in the creating of their media artworks.
Multimedia conventions There are many traditional or culturally accepted conventions or ways of combining the forms of text, still or moving image, sound and animation to create multimedia products. Each is associated with specific form, genre and audience expectations.
Oral and written texts Podcasts, scriptwriting, persuasive writing, information report, argument, factual description or recount, discussion, explanation, procedure, narrative, observation.

Products and texts

Media products are also know as media content, for example, a television program is a media product. Students, reviewers and audiences analyse these products as texts.

Multimodal texts are texts that incorporate two or more of text, still image, moving image, sound or animation. 

In this resources, the term 'works' includes products and texts.

Questions

These resources provide information about aspects of media arts production:

ABC education

The Shots tell the story in a video interview

The Costume Designer makes the character

ACMI  

Framing, camera angles and movement description

Roles in multimedia productions

Some common roles in multimedia productions include

  • Directors: have a clear understanding of the effect the scene is meant to convey. They have the responsibility of making sure the manipulation of all technical and symbolic elements is aligned to the intended result. They are also involved in the organisation of the group and might keep a calendar of key dates to ensure the project is made on time.
  • Writers: decide the major events, setting and dialogue of the scene, as well as any major action that takes place. In a non-fiction multimedia product, the writer is responsible for devising questions for the interviewee.
  • Storyboard artists: adapt the script into a visualisation of shots and sequences. They work closely with the camera operator.
  • Camera operators: have the responsibility of transforming the storyboard into footage and work closely with the director.
  • Runner: supports the production crew doing tasks as requested
  • Opening titles designer: creates the opening titles sequence, title cards used in the film or video and the end credits
  • Composer: creates original music, may also arrange music or work on sound design in a small-scale production
  • Floor manager: has responsibility for operation of the studio floor where filming takes place and coordinates talent, crew, equipment and other resources.
  • Sound recorders: work with the directors and actors to capture dialogue and all other sounds needed in the production. 
    • Set/Costume designers: create or locate any required elements for a scene. They can also be responsible for lighting a scene and any makeup that is required.
    • Actors: take their direction from both the script and the director to convey the meaning of a scene. In a documentary or news report, the interviewees or subjects are the ‘actors’
    • Editors: are responsible for the various parts coming together into a final product. They might also be involved in sourcing or re-recording of audio elements needed for the final cut.

For further information about specific media form roles is provided in these resources:

Scene

A moment, section or part.

Social protocols

Use of language, acronyms and humour.
Story Conventions In Media Arts, time is a convention that is considered with the story principles which are used to combine and shape the elements of media arts. The story principles are: structure, characters, settings, points of view and resolution of a narrative to shape how an audience experiences it.

Technical

Media Arts technical and symbolic elements

Composition, time, space, sound, movement and lighting work together to create meaning in different contexts and forms for different purposes.

Technical considerations

Can include use production skills, codes and conventions or techniques to create specific effects, safety practices or workflow considerations.

Wireframe

A layout of a web page that demonstrates interface elements.