In this weeks class we wrapped our heads around the three set readings for the week that got quite technical and discussed different theories of transmedia. As a class we focused mainly on the theory behind ‘remixing’ ideas in storytelling.
When it came to the practical part of our class this week, Dan set us the task in our peer groups to create a story that could be told in five parts. My group decided to have a bit of fun with the idea and we conjured up a story of a guy and a girl who decided to go on a road trip to a cabin in the woods. Along the way they meet a hitchhiker who joins them on their journey but when the travellers stop at a gas station, the hitchhiker disappears to then later return at the end of the story to brutally murder the couple. Keeping in mind this story was told over five flashcards. We shared our idea to the class and everyone had a good giggle at the crazy extent some groups went to when creating their five part stories.
Our next challenge was to ‘remix’ this idea. By ‘remixing’ the story we are able to take any part, for example the character or the setting and give it a new spin, like changing gender, occupation, intent or even rearranging the order that the story was originally told etc. Just like remixing a song!
My group got a little carried away and gave our story a big remix, but for the better I reckon! The story ended up evolving into a thriller which still begun with girl and guy on a road trip but the hitchhiker evolved into a travelling salesman who ends up abducting the couple to a secret cult in the woods and which then ends in the murder. Although our idea took a turn for the more ridiculous, it was still a really interesting process going back over work and applying this idea of ‘remixing’ which is something I haven’t ever done in my writing.
Finally we ended with one last challenge, which was to adapt our story into three different forms of media. My group decided to adapt our idea into a short story, screenplay and alternative reality game. I took on the task of creating a ARG and had a lot of fun thinking about it. After reading about The Dark Knight‘s viral marketing ARG, I was fascinated by the idea of audience participation and am truly amazed at the extent they went too for that particular film! It makes me hope another production company creates an amazing ARG on par with the Dark Knight sometime soon, as I want to take part!!
Now to finish off that case study…
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