English+and+Media+Studies

=English and Media Studies=


 * Study newspapers created in SL
 * Work as a journalist for a paper

December 2006 saw the launch of Second Life's first tabloid newspaper, [|The AvaStar]. [|The AvaStar] is a pdf tabloid produced by [|Bild.T-Online.de], which the site describes as "Germany's leading print-based general interest website". Bild.T-Online is the online edition of the BILD newspaper, Europe's largest tabloid newspaper published by Axel Springer AG. The [|press release] (I can't find the original) reads:

"'The AvaStar' will offer its readers – the “residents” – around 30 pages of wide-ranging information about life in the virtual world. The majority of its readers will be relatively young, well educated men and women with an average age of 32 years. Its approach is direct and emotive. “The AvaStar” aims to serve as a guide and help newcomers in particular to find their bearings in the “Second Life” environment. The content is clearly structured: News, Business, Celebrity & Gossip, Style & Fashion, Travel and Entertainment form the editorial framework. A weekly guide to “Second Life” rounds off the newspaper."

[|The][|AvaStar] joins a wealth of Second Life media, including the newspapers [|Second Life Herald] (more of a blog really), the [|Metaverse Messenger], and the woman's fashion magazine [|Second Style].... all waiting to be analysed, compared and contrasted to real life media. It is the first though to be produced by an existing 'real world' publishing company, rather than the 'residents' themselves. The study of the audience and institutions of The AvaStar and other publications would be quite interesting, especially as it would be a lot easier to interview journalists, editors and publishers of the papers. It would also be a way to earn some linden dollars by working as photographers and journalists for them. If you are already using print media in English or Media Studies, Second Life could be a way to be more creative than just writing articles and typing them up. Why not compare[| Second Style] and [|Cosmo] (or similar), then create your own photo shoot. What clothing tends to be showcased, what poses do the models use, what setting and lighting is used and to what effect? Get students choose a theme then to hunt the virtual world for an outfit each. Modelling poses can be picked up free at freebie yards. The scene can be lit using lighted prims. Take some photos of the scene then use Word, Publisher, or another desktop publishing program to create a professional-looking article.