Multimedia Writer: Salary and Career Facts
Do you want to work on the cutting edge of the writing field? Multimedia writers create content of all types, but they often focus on writing that is used in conjunction with technology. Becoming a multimedia writer is your chance to write for the formats at the forefront of contemporary culture, from the Internet to television. Schools offering 3D Game Modeling degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What Do Multimedia Writers Do?
Multimedia writers typically create content for more than one form of media. While this could indicate writing for magazines, newspapers and printed books, multimedia writing most commonly refers to writing for formats that aren't print-based. As a multimedia writer, you could write for a multitude of formats, such as video games, film and television, websites, online advertising or online academic courses. If you write Web-based content, you may be required to know basic programming skills, such as how to use hypertext.
Unlike writing for traditional print media, you'll be expected to adapt your style and content for the medium in which you're writing. For example, writing for video games requires you to understand the structure and pacing of a particular game. You may write dialogue for the interstitial scenes of a detective game that takes place between sections of active user play; alternatively, you may write the script for an announcer's pre-recorded sound clips in a football video game, requiring you to account for the myriad potential actions that will need to be described.
What Might I Earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers had an average annual salary of $65,960 in May 2010 (www.bls.gov). Your possible earnings can vary widely based on the type of media for which you write, or even from project to project. For example, writers in advertising, public relations or similar fields earned an average annual salary of $73,710 while writers working independently earned $101,110 on average. The Los Angeles area in Southern California, where many writers for the film and television industries are based, had the highest average salary for a metropolitan area, at $100,060 per year.
What Type of Education Will I Need?
There is no specific degree that you'll need in order to become a multimedia writer. However, pursuing formal education in a field related to multimedia writing can help you to hone your skills and may boost your chances for employment. Relevant programs at the bachelor's degree level include English, creative writing and screenwriting. Some schools offer degree programs in a field such as communications that allow you to select an emphasis in multimedia writing. Such programs might include courses such as technical writing, electronic pagination, digital imaging and computer software. At the graduate level, you can pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Writing, or a master's degree in a more specialized branch of writing.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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