After going through this reading, I am not going to lie I had mixed ideas about what transmedia storytelling was. I had heard of the concept prior to this class but had never actually looked into what it fully meant. I could see how it can be confused with marketing, and how trans-media storytelling can be seen as a way to promote content. Thinking back on the reading I wish it was more clear in summarizing what transmedia embodies, rather than comparing debating ideas about what people think it is. Even though there isn't a full definition of it yet, which makes me feel better as to why I didn't find this reading clear, it would have been helpful to someone who hasn't yet learned what trans-media storytelling is about to have had that clear summary.
The main take away I had from the reading was that trans-media storytelling is one that allows you in a way to bring a story to life through different platforms and mediums. In a way it does have a marketing component because through these different platforms and mediums it creates a way for content to be put out their and show to an audience. Oddly one of the main transmedia examples I had when going through the reading was the development of Harry Potter and Pottermore. We all know the seven-book series of the wizarding world of Harry Potter, but since the release of the series the story has expanded.
Pottermore is a online entertainment and publishing site that users can join which continues on the stories, culture and characters of the wizarding world. In recent months, the author J.K Rowling has released a book Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (soon to be a major motion picture) and is releasing The Cursed Child this coming November! On the site their are profiles and smaller stories that are within the wizarding world of the series. The story has come off the pages and has continued into this trans-media storytelling site. Users can read stories on the individual books, characters and figures who make appearances within the books. In addition to the content on the site, they have a updated social media presence that users can follow on their social media accounts involving new stories, fandom and announcements. A bit nerdy but when the world thought the Harry Potter series had ended after the seventh book and the eighth film, Pottermore and the platform it has created as opened up the wizarding world to transmedia story telling.
Overall in the reading I felt a clearer message of transmedia storytelling could have been expressed to the reader, even though there may not be a solid definition of it yet. I felt the examples that were posted on the Facebook page and even relating it to Pottermore helped me gather a better understanding of what transmedia storytelling is. Personally I am interested to learn more about because I like the creative side of how storytelling has moved onto the web and how transmedia storytelling has evolved.
I also found the concept of Transmedia Storytelling to be pretty confusing. I had to go through the readings a few times to try and figure it out and I still feel a little confused about it. I think your example of the Harry Potter series really helps understand it more. It's true that without Transmedia Storytelling, the series wouldn't have taken off and impacted the lives of so many people like it had.
ReplyDeleteI also had a hard time differentiating the ideas of marketing and transmedia storytelling in my head as I read. But, also like you, I found comfort in reading that the definition is not yet completely pinpointed! That being said, your Pottermore example is really interesting! I've seen brief mentions across social media of ways that Potter fans can continue to experience the story beyond the books and films, but until now, I never got the full explanation! Even as someone who never really got into Harry Potter (believe me, I tried!), I think that's such a cool concept, not only to keep fans happy, but also to keep the name out there!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed how you took the example of Harry Potter one step further to Pottermore. This was a side to the story of Harry that I don't usually consider part of the story. But I think the fact that I hadn't thought of it in that way is a true testament to the face that the definition of transmedia storytelling is so fluid and open to interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI like how you described Pottermore in this post. I personally, have never been on Pottermore, so I was really unsure what all of it was about. Sure, I knew it existed, but other than that, I would have considered myself clueless. I think its really cool how this book series was adapted onto different platforms. I know that personally I am not the biggest reader, so this adaptation into the digital world appeals a lot more to me than reading 7 (is it 7?) books. I think transmedia storytellings allows a lot more people to get involved than just one demographic.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting that you wrote, transmedia can be confused with marketing. If that is the case the reading certainly confused me, as I interpreted much of what I read as how transmedia can be applied to marketing.
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