Writing about water
Scriptwriting opportunity comes our way
Screencapture of the script
During May 2015 TheWriter.co.za had the opportunity to write a video script again. Scripts and screenplays are essentially writing in 3D or even 4D for that matter. Each sequence has to be accompanied by audio, video and sometimes onscreen text too. As you write the script you need to bear in mind all these other dimensions.
It’s just a wonderful challenge.
This most recent script was all about South Africa’s indigenous knoweldge systems and how important it is to record and secure this wisdom before it is forgotten.
Here are snippets from some of the scenes:
- The elders spoke of plants and medicines to treat the effects of illness. Stories were repeated until they became embodied in our traditional knowledge and activities. The stories found expression in our folklore, dances, songs, rituals, language and agricultural practices.
- But the oral nature of South Africa’s traditional wisdom means that its future is no longer assured. Many young people are moving to the cities. To add to this, threats such as misappropriation and misuse of traditional knowledge are a growing reality.
Hopefully when the final video becomes available, we will be able to share a link to it.
DST launches two coffee-table books on science & technology
TheWriter.co.za is proud to have been co-writer on one of the coffee table books launched by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) last week. Along with Malachite Marketing and Media, we produced a coffee-table book titled: South Africa-Japan Cooperation in Science and Technology, celebrating ten years of cooperation between the countries.
According to DST, the publication illustrates how a North-South relationship could be mutually leveraged to benefit both countries and their people.
The strong relations between South Africa and Japan are evident in the range of activities that have taken place since the signing of a bilateral agreement in 2003. The two countries have since invested more than R85 million (over R72 million contributed by Japan) in more than 50 joint research projects and other programmes that have provided South African researchers, scientists and students with access to Japanese expertise and science facilities.
The interim chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Japan, Mr Hiroaki Fujiwara remarked, “I hope that the book, which has been launched today, will not only be very useful for reflecting on the past cooperation, but also be instrumental in further promotion of cooperation in science and technology between Japan and South Africa”.
Useful writers’ resources
By Muhammad Mahdi Karim, http://www.micro2macro.net, own work.
Online dictionaries and wikis
• reference.com • yourdictionary • wikipedia.org [free for all] • refdesk.com
Real journalism
• medialens [correcting the distorted vision of the corporate media] • alternet [independent media resource] • commondreams.org • newseum • alternet • www.journalism.co.za • newseum • reporters without borders • noam chomsky archives • noseweek • source watch and pr watch [keeping an eye on the spindoctors] • unknown news • storytelling in a post-journalism world
Institutes
• new media lab @ rhodes • poynter • freedom of expression institute [fxi] • my alma mater [where I realised I had to be a dissident]
Grammar
- You know what? just wing it, language should be flexible and in constant flux.
- But make sure you have a good editor to do the final check!
- New Zealand has agreed to allow txt or sms English in exam papers, as long as the student has comprehended the subject at hand.
Maps
• google maps • straatkaart • the planet • google earth [our glorious planet]
Images
• SA images • space • tourism • thewriter.co.za: also provides photographic services
eZines
• dissident voice • alternative press index: lists radical zines • 09 F9 [assault on digital rights] • green anarchy
Quotes
• contact us for a quote, our prices are the best in town [gotta love puns] • if it’s a good quote you’re looking for, we have access to those too motivational quotes, inspirational quotes, social justice quotes, enviro-quotes
Writing tips
• write with your heart not your head • In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act – George Orwell
Activism
generation alpha • right to know campaign [R2K] • Let the truth be told • the mask • apf • environmental justice • adbusters • abahlali basemjondolo
Q&A
• why should I pay someone to write for me? I can do it myself!
Other
• project gutenberg free books, where copyright has expired
Why should I pay someone to write?
Professional writers, social media marketers, web designers and communicators present professional material, which in turn commands the attention of potential clients.
Promotional material is the front door to your business, it should look and sound professional.
How much will it cost?
writing:
Professional writers, depending on their level of experience will charge anything from R350 to R550 an hour, but this will also vary depending on the type of writing required, be it technical writing, business writing, editing or script writing.
web design:
How long is a piece of string? It is extremely difficult to quote on a website. A comprehensive analysis must therefore be done for each individual site before quoting on it. A small business, launching a five page static website can look at paying R5 000 to get a small but professional site set up. The hourly rate for web design is approximately R650 an hour. Simple updates thereafter will cost around R300 an hour. A corporate entity wanting a website with databases, programming and perhaps an online marketing setup however, may pay R1 million or more.
thewriter.co.za is a comprehensive communication resource for people requiring the services of a professional communications team as we work in cooperation with other freelancers and marketing companies.
Launching an updated website
Careers and Opportinities in Physics: This booklet outlines for the maths and science achievers in secondary school, the career options that await them in the world of physics.
Like the proverbial electrician who’s DB Board reveals dangerous, dangling wires and the plumber with the leaky kitchen tap, often writers and designers do not update their blogs and websites.
Mine was designed in 2009 and hardly updated in the five years since.
Finally, this new revised and simplified website is an attempt to provide accessible and useful information about my work.
Please flip through and let me know what you think?
TheWriter.co.za 