Questions about transmedia

"Is it transmedia if/when...?" is a question I get asked constantly.

I am no authority on the topic. I wrote a thesis that incorporated transmedia storytelling, but that's not the same as writing a book about it or doing some other prestigious thing that gives me credibility. I think people just ask me about it because they know about my studies and I'm the closest thing they have to a resident expert.

Here are some recent ones:

Is it transmedia if a video game gets released, and then after people buy it bonus content/expansion packs get released (such as videos that play during the game) that is additional story/world building material?

Is it transmedia if it is an adaptation that veers so far from the original it might as well be classified as "loosely based on" instead?

Is it transmedia if it is a new spin on an old work? (ex. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)

Is it transmedia if it is just bonus material released in a DVD set or some other similar thing, but it isn't easily accessibly to everyone (well, until someone illegaly puts it online) and wasn't purposefully spread around - but it is still unique content that contributes to the overall story/world?

Is it transmedia when it was done by accident?

Is it transmedia when it is non-fiction?

That last one is the only one I can answer. Yes, transmedia stories can be non-fiction.
All of the other questions I just don't have an answer to yet. The label is just so broad and can (currently) only be applied on a case-by-case basis.

I'll keep thinking about all of these, and I'll try to come up with some examples. Maybe there is a way to make classifying transmedia easier, even if it doesn't necessarily work for every single project.

What a conundrum.

-Danny

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Back to Blogging

It's been a long while since this blog was used. Frankly, I forgot all about it.

Still, it is a good way for me to work out some thoughts and musings that I might not throw into regular conversation. Now I just need to stick with it. Actually stick with it. For real this time. Seriously.

We'll see what happens.

I also think I need to change up the look. I'll do that later.

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