The oft-discussed construct that ties together the individual pieces of a transmedia property is the storyworld, the universe in which the stories all take place. But I think that’s pretty self-evident — if they don’t take place in the same storyworld, they’re not connected in the way transmedia needs to be. What’s discussed much less, but which is far more important, is tying together the story elements thematically.
The only I’ve heard this much discussed is by Jeff Gomez. From the Transmedia Talk podcast episode 13:
“Before there is any mythology, any bible, any production, the message itself needs to be refined and galvanized. … so that in any and every iteration of the narrative content, across this complex array of platform, it’s got to get infused into it.
Two dudes in robes hitting in each with light sticks may look like Star Wars, but unless there is this notion of balancing what is dark and light within oneself before one can bring that balance to the world around them, unless there is that theme, it’s not really Star Wars.” –Jeff Gomez
Jeff insists that this kind of thematic unity appears in any property Starlight Runner takes on.
I think this is pretty key. I don’t know that I would say a property isn’t transmedia unless there’s a thematic unity throughout it, but I might say that it isn’t as good transmedia as it should be. Without that thread, it becomes just a series of connected stories over multiple media rather than really being able to be seen as a coherent whole.
I’m not saying each piece of a property need be about the same thing — far from it, that would render the additional stories unnecessary. The through-theme should be broad, and it should be multifaceted. Each story can look at it in a different way, even take a different stance on the theme, form a different opinion, invite discussion and thought. But there should be a broad theme present to unify the pieces, to actually allow for that dialogue between the stories of the property.
I think we have a responsibility to do this, as creators. It takes our work deeper than the surface and contributes to a dialogue. With all the content that’s out there, we want an audience to spend time and money on several stories, so they need to be a step above.
In addition, as Jeff points out, transmedia has the potential to inspire a very high level of devotion from an audience, just by its very nature. We must strive to develop strong, positive themes in our work to contribute in a positive way to the human discourse, to the lives of the people we’re asking to give us so much of themselves.
To this end, I’ve started taking a close look at my primary storyworld — where I have set my novels, a couple in-the-works transmedia projects (and, yes, D&D campaigns) — to develop a pair of connected and multifaceted themes that I hope will be threads running through everything I set in that world. Further, they are intrinsically connected to the very substance of the storyworld, connecting theme inextricably to actual content. I’ll continue developing these as I create, but I hope for them to be a guide whenever I’m contemplating a new story. And I hope other creators will do the same, providing real meaning to their creations and contributing positively to the discourse of art.
Any city can become the setting for an adventure where you are the hero. Discover original tales and solve enigmas as you explore the city in a game scenario. Begin your personal itinerary whenever you wish and arrange it however you like. Our guides are unconventional: they are collections of jumbled short stories that become readable one at a time as you solve enigmas and send your answers via text message. Each city has a unique character. That’s why each guidebook tells a different tale, through a collection of short stories about its most fascinating places. The narrative plunges you into the city’s ambience, while the individual short stories are the keys to discovering it and learning about it. With WHAIWHAI, you’ll move away from the beaten tourist track and go where the city’s more unfamiliar spirit is hidden. You can start your experience at any time. You can play alone or in a group, in the city or even from the comfort of your own home with new sofa mode....
From the CCC:
"As an accomplished street photographer, the late Vivian Maier discreetly chronicled life in Chicago’s Loop and surrounding districts for decades.
Born in New York to Austrian and French immigrant parents, and spending some of her formative years in France, she eventually ended up in Chicago as a nanny to wealthy North Shore clients, but her passions ran much deeper. Over 100,000 negatives and more than 3,000 prints of her massive body of work were discovered in an estate auction shortly before her death in 2009.
While not much is known about Maier herself or her reasons for keeping her photographs hidden, this first exhibition of her work reveals a keen eye for observing the people and fashions of Chicago in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s."
About this project
Update: Here is a wonderful segment that Chicago Tonight just aired: http://www.wttw.com/chicagotonight/video/A1hO97qcWo7ViDL_rWniVH2LakYxNa7J/
About the Film
Finding Vivian Maier
- a feature-length documentaryVivian Maier’s photographs were seemingly destined for obscurity, lost among the clutter of the countless objects she’d collected throughout her life. Instead these images have shocked the world of street photography and irrevocably changed the life of the man who brought them to the public eye. This film brings to life the improbable saga of John Maloof’s discovery of Vivian Maier. Along with her documentary films, photographs, odd collections, and accounts from people who knew her, we take you on the journey of 'Finding Vivian Maier'.
What started as a blog to show her work quickly became a viral sensation in the photography world. Photos destined for the trash heap now line gallery exhibitions, a forthcoming book, and this documentary film. The world wants to know more about Vivian. In order for us to deliver the quality documentary film that we would like to produce, we need funding.
The Status
The film is currently in the pre-production stage. We have recently joined forces with an award-winning Danish filmmaker, Lars Oxfeldt Mortensen (www.mortensenfilm.dk). Once we have pre-production financing, we can move forward with the promotional trailer to seek broadcaster financing for the feature-length film we are set out to create.Funds
Monies raised will go to the pre-production budget for the film. This includes equipment, research, trips to conduct interviews and collect footage, editing costs for promotional trailer, and miscellaneous financing. All funds will be used for the film. If we exceed our pre-production budget goal, then all proceeds will go toward the production budget. With your funding help through Kickstarter, we'll be able to move forward on this film with less of a funding hurdle.It all started here:
...and here:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/onthestreet/discuss/72157622552378986/
Press
Vivian's work has received a considerable amount of press and much more are to come. Here is a list of links to some of the more notable recognition available online:New York Times LENS:
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/07/new-street-photography-60-years-old/Chicago Magazine:
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/January-2011/Vivian-Maier-Street-Photographer/Chicago Sun-Times:
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/2973223-421/maier-maloof-vivian-chicago-negatives.htmlNPR's Kitchen Sisters:
http://www.kitchensisters.org/girlstories/the-lost-found-photographs-of-vivian-maier/MIR Appraisals:
http://chicagoappraisers.blogspot.com/2010/05/vivian-maier-tribute-part-iv-interview.htmlThe Design Observer:
http://observatory.designobserver.com/entry.html...The Independent (New Review) in the U.K.:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/little-miss-big-shot-fifties-america-exposed-ndash-by-a-french-nanny-1811040.htmlRepubblica (Italy):
http://static.repubblica.it/repubblica/gallerie/gente/foto_america/index.htmlClarin (Argentina):
http://www.clarin.com/diario/2009/10/22/um/m-02024494.htmClarin also (neat slideshow):
http://www.revistaenie.clarin.com/notas/2010/02/03/_-02132908.htmDanish news:
http://kpn.dk/article1871460.eceThank you for your time. Your generous contributions will aid in our efforts to assure a lasting appreciation of Vivian Maier's art, and presenting this story to the world.
Kind regards,
John Maloof
Anthony Rydzon
Project location: Chicago, IL
Amazing story.
I don't usually shout online but this drink size is ridiculous