Screenwriting Program Embraces New Media
December 24th, 2009 Posted in Screenwriting School
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My writing partner and I gave a talk at American Film Institute (AFI) Digi Fest 2009 last month about new media and new forms of storytelling in portable spaces like iPhones and touchscreen TV Sets.
The talk that I gave there was drawn from a lecture that I give in the final week of my Adaptation Lecture in the 1-Year Screenwriting Program at the New York Film Academy in New York City and is available on YouTube now (my portion of the talk starts in minute 10:00).
Using the iPhone to View Films & Read Books
For most of the last century audio/visual storytelling has existed in the form of feature films and episodic television shows – platforms that are stable, predictable and familiar. However, in the last five years the platform for mass media consumption has changed from theater multiplexes and living room television sets, programmed from the top down, to computer screens, cell phones and mp3 players with content provided twenty four hours a day by individual users as much or more than corporate media conglomerates. This shift in production and distribution has had an immediate effect on commerce, but is still being sorted out on the creative level of storytelling. The Screenwriting Program at New York Film Academy trains young writers to work in traditional forms, but also to think outside of the constraints of traditional forms and embrace the possibilities these new platforms provide, whether it is the massive and all encompassing cinematic experience of “Avatar”, serialized homemade videos on YouTube, or new applications for the portable devices that have changed the way the world communicates and experiences media.
By Benjamin Maraniss, New York Film Academy Screenwriting Program Instructor in New York City
4 Responses to “Screenwriting Program Embraces New Media”
By 2acting on Dec 27, 2009
It’s great to see more and more developments in the way people can watch movies. Creations such as iphone, portable video players and video sharing websites give people more comfort, choice and interaction which all lead to a better user experience.
By 3d animation courses on Jan 8, 2010
i’m pretty sure ben zeitlin’s an american white guy, and his movie doesn’t sound pretentious at all. it sounds great! his other movies are real good
By zorina wehrli-auayang on Jan 19, 2010
It is very fascinating to watch new, innovative inventions in the field of creative arts, specifically in cinema and video sharing websites. Imaginative scripts will definitely add more joy in learning, entertainment quality and intellectual challenge to millions of viewers.As books get out of sight from the shelves and replaced by hi tech gadgets, humanity will continue to be enriched and nurtured by brilliant men through the NEW MEDIA.