DEVELOPMENT NUMERO DUE

In class on Thursday we discussed the differences between fiction and non fiction interactive works. We explored why there were so many more non fiction interactive works. One reason that came up was that producers might find it difficult to portray fiction work in a non linear way. Additionally, the planning involved with producing fiction works as opposed to non fiction works is another factor.

Following from exploring a non fiction project, I explored a fiction project. I looked into the app Episode which is a mobile storytelling platform. Episode is highly interactive as it allows users to make choices which alter the outcome of the stories. Episode also has the feature of being cross platform, as many of the characters within Episode have Instagram accounts. The way cross platform functionality works in this situation is that audiences become invested in the characters portrayed within the story and therefore are more inclined to change platforms to Instagram in spite of the effort involved. Another interesting aspect of Episode is relevant to the ongoing dialogue surrounding active audiences and the increasingly blurred lines between audience and producers. Episode is constructed in a away that promotes user generated content through its simple scripting engine (Allen 2o17).

Reflecting on both the class discussion and the projects I have looked into this past week, I am considering our own project that we need to create. The planning involved with producing a fiction project would be too intensive, therefore we have decided to create a project based on a non fiction narrative, potentially an criminal or unsolved case. From here its a matter of how to tell that story in a cross platform and hyperlink driven way. We also need to consider the linearity of the project- as the project will be cross platform will it need to be told in a way where an audience can start it from any video on any platform, or will they need to start the project from a specific platform? Moreover, the content of the project will need to be told in a way that engages the audience and encourages the audience to continue to watch the project through clicking on the hyperlink.

Allen, J 2017, ‘How Episode became the worlds biggest interactive fiction platform’, Gamasutra, available at <https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/293928/How_Episode_became_the_worlds_biggest_interactive_fiction_platform.php>

DEVELOPMENT NUMERO UNO

In class we focussed on non fiction interactive web based projects, exploring the relevance the qualities of such works and also the importance of the interaction in such works. I explored and examined the non fiction project, Universe Within. The project is an interactive web documentary that explores the lives of high rise residents, in particular their digital presence.

Universe within is highly immersive, constructed in a three dimensional space as if the audience is moving through that space. Moreover, it prioritises audience autonomy (Astigarraga et al, 2016) through providing the audience with options to choose from. Through choosing an option the audience is the shown a relevant film from the project.

I believe that the way in which the web documentary was constructed reflected its content, as it visually emphasised the way in which the internet both enables and hinders human contact- the documentary was fragmented yet connected through the universe (three dimensional space) it was placed in.

Universe Within is an interesting project to explore particularly with the upcoming project in mind. It would definitely be interesting to explore creating a new form of documentary that is also interactive with audiences particularly in a time where active audiences are so prevalent (Astigarraga et al, 2016). In class Jackson and I decided that we would like create an interactive project that focuses on the qualities of hyperlink driven and cross platform.

This class we mainly discussed how the project would be constructed. We would like to have numerous films and then include hyperlinks from the videos to other videos on different platforms. We believe that this kind of structure will initiate audience interaction as well as drawing from the features of being hyperlink driven and cross platform. However, content is also a significant driving factor in encouraging the audience to interact with the project and essentially move cross platform to watch the other videos. It is important that the content engages with the audience in order to encourage them to click the hyperlink. Through discussion with Hannah, we through that potentially something could move out of frame, and then continue on in the next video. However, we are still unsure of what to include in the videos at this point.

Astigarraga, I, Pavon, A, Zuberogoitia, A 2016, ‘Active audience? Interaction of young people with television and online video content’, Communication & Society, 29, pp. 133-147

 

ASM-What? A Reflection

Sensory media has become a recent phenomenon and recognised characteristic of online screen production. Autonomous sensory meridian response or ASMR videos have become increasingly popular in recent years. ASMR is an experience of a tingling sensation triggered by a specific sensory stimulus. Most commonly, ASMR videos focus on auditory and visual sensations. For our practical test, we decided to explore this new field of sensory media and create an ASMR inspired video. We decided to focus on the auditory aspect of ASMR, and attempt to create a screen production that triggered an ASMR response.

Creating ASMR is interesting, as it is specifically catered for a niche audience. It is created for the purpose of triggering a specific response. The internet has become a landscape for diversity and creativity, it has allowed for niche communities to form and thrive through online media production. It was therefore interesting to conduct our test and think of ways to produce sound that would trigger an ASMR response and appeal to the niche ASMR audience. However, while ASMR is highly specific and niche, I have also come to realise that it can be extremely diverse. There are no restrictions in terms of length, some ASMR producers create short videos while others create forty minute videos- I have even come across a continuous live stream of ASMR. Moreover, the ways in which the videos can be produced is also variant. There are a large number of ASMR inducing triggers that can be explored through creating an ASMR video, from whispers to tapping.

Creating the ASMR inspired video furthered my understanding of diverse relationships between content producers and audiences, as fostered by the internet. ASMR videos are highly influenced by audience interaction. Throughout the making process I felt as though I had more of the audience in mind than I usually would when creating content. I felt more of a connection to the audience in the way of questioning if the sounds we were creating would actually appeal to an established ASMR audience. Producing this video has allowed me to further understand content production catered for a highly specific audience. It makes me wonder if online screen production will become more specific and audience driven with time or if niche content such as ASMR will become obsolete?

Practical Test

This is the practical test that Jackson and I conducted in response to the formal characteristic of online screen production, sensory media. In recent years ASMR as a form of sensory media has become increasingly popular. It is created for a niche audience and in order to serve a specific purpose, therefore it was interesting to explore creating an ASMR inspired video. For the purpose of this test we believed it was more important to focus on the audio and therefore decided to utilise creative commons visual graphics. On reflection, it could be interesting to explore the visual side of ASMR, however it is predominantly audio based so therefore we thought we would start there.

The Creative Commons material we used included:

https://archive.org/details/morphingwhite

https://archive.org/details/orangeparticles

http://zfootage.com/free-hd-black-white-background-loop/

My Developed View of Online Screen Production

Initially, I was restricted in my view of online screen production. I viewed it as too closely aligned with traditional media. The interesting thing about online and traditional media production is that projects can move between the two platforms. For example, the television show Broad City was initially a web series that was then moved to traditional television. In my opinion, lines are being blurred between online and traditional screen production as the internet grows and technology expands.

As I was exploring various web series, I came across God Particles – a four part series that explores four character’s lives in the event of the potential end of the world. God Particles is interesting to examine as a web series as it has characteristics of both traditional and online screen productions. The series is of quite a high production standard- it hasn’t been made on a low grade phone camera by a twelve year old exploring film. It is also fairly traditional in terms of its linear storyline and centralisation to one platform. Yet, God Particles also has characteristics that make it consumable on the internet. In terms of content, God Particles features a sense of dark humour that is almost omnipresent on the internet. Moreover, there are only four parts to the series and each part is relatively short in length. Differing from traditional media, the internet caters an environment where practically any length of a screen production is possible. God Particles is the kind of series that was clearly developed for the internet, but could still be adapted for television.

As I initially commenced my exploration of online media by discovering more traditional web series I wanted to expand on my understanding of what can be produced for the internet. I have also come to realise that there are certain aspects of the internet that have allowed for the creation and distribution of content extremely dissimilar to traditional media productions. Something I have always known, but not analysed is the vastness of the internet and the inherent impact this has on the content produced for the internet. The way I view the internet is as an infinite open space within which content and information can be uploaded. There is a decentralised and unregulated aspect of the internet, which has fostered a creative freedom that allows for extremely diverse media products.

One aspect of the internet is its web like interconnectedness, as various links, tags and sharing create a network of content. This kind of understanding of the internet brought to my attention the relevance of interactive screen production. This kind of screen production is something that has been created through the affordances of the internet. Thinking about this, I remembered an interactive fortune teller YouTube video I came across when I was younger. The video is part of a network of videos, connected through hyperlinks. The project is non linear in that the story can be changed through the actions of the audience. This kind of interactive media is interesting as it gives the audience a greater sense of autonomy.

The internet allows for greater connectedness between audiences and content creators. As anyone can produce content, share, like and interact, this blurs the lines between audiences and creators. It creates a space where almost anything can be produced, with audience in mind or without.

 

new year new studio new media

In the first class of this new studio I found myself thinking more about the overall discipline of media- continuing on from this analysing screen media and internet spaces. It got me thinking, and analysing things a bit deeper, something I haven’t done for about three months at this point. I am excited to get back into things, and explore the various facets of new media, screen media and the seemingly never ending vastness of the internet.

Continuing on from this, I am going to discuss the web series God Particles from Leland Montgomery, which originally broadcasted on Vimeo. My knowledge of web series is fairly limited. I have managed to stumble across a few, such as Leftovers which was produced by RMIT students. Regardless, God Particles was produced for the internet, and in my opinion, with the internet in mind. This series has four parts, each part featuring a different protagonist. The overriding theme for the web series is people facing the end of the world, each episode examining how each character deals with their limited days. Like most web series, God Particles has an inherent light and comedic aspect, making it more consumable on the internet. At the same time however, the show does have dark which is almost unavoidable as the characters are facing the end of the world. Dark sarcasm and self deprecating humour are both prevalent within the show- both of which are  undeniably omnipresent on the internet.

The form of God Particles, being non linear, definitely feels like a product of the internet. The short length of each episode, and the fact that it is only four parts is relevant to the Internet. I think that the highly consumed web series are shorter, lighter and therefore more consumable. I believe that a large part of the internet is about escapism- getting away from the reality of everyday life and essentially escaping ones problems. Another aspect of the series that I believe makes it a product of the internet is the uniqueness of it. As the internet is a place where anyone can produce anything, it allows for great creative freedom.

image: <https://vimeo.com/111190739>

what has to happen

In order to get to the point at the end of semester wherein I have learned what I set out to learn, I have to work.

I want to understand what I am creating and why, in relation to everything I have learned throughout the semester. In order to achieve that I have to understand what exactly I have learned and how to apply that. Sounds simple. However, I know myself and the procrastinating nuisance I can be. Leaving things to the last minute and producing work that I have not thought all too much about is something I do only too often. I want to create aspects of the work earlier this time, and refine it in the following weeks.

A major aspect of what I want to develop by the end of semester are my skills as an editor. In order to develop those skills I need to do the work early. Which is difficult considering I have multiple assignments due in each of the following weeks. However, it is achievable. If I set out time otherwise dedicated to Netflix then I will be able to achieve what I want to.

In addition to refining my editing skills, I would like to deepen my understandings of the readings by the end of semester. This would involve rereading the readings, or at least the significant points and my notes on them. I would like to understand what I understand from the readings. This is relevant to the final project, as I would like to visually depict my understandings of the theoretical aspects of the course. I would like the piece of work to be a representation of all that I have learned and all that I understand in completing this course.

P A T P O U N D

This weekend I decided to go to the National Gallery of Victoria, and managed to stumble across the Patrick Pound Exhibition. To be honest, I was extremely sceptical at first. How could a random expansive collection of things be art, how could this be interesting. It turned out to be on of the most interesting art exhibitions I have been to.

Basically the gallery exhibits Patrick Pound’s personal collection of things. His collections are expansive yet small, random yet particular, interrelated yet not at all. Certain collections operate within a constraint, such as a specific word, order or colour. The collections that were developed with a constraint were inspired by the Oulipo group of writers and mathematicians which formed in 1960 France, specifically, Georges Perec. The idea that restrictions and constraint can encourage new forms, patterns and structures. The process of this can end up unintentionally projecting ideas. One of the collections sparked my particular interest because of the seemingly random aspect of it. The collection 26 Brown Things involved him purchasing 26 brown things from the one shop on the one day.

“you can look at a piece of puzzle for three whole days, you can believe that you know all there is to know about its colouring and shape, and be no further than when you started. The only thing that counts is the ability to link this piece to other pieces.”
– Georges Perec, Life: A User’s Manual

Another part of the exhibition had a focus on relationality and connections between things. This is inherently extremely applicable to the art of noticing. The room featuring this aspect of the exhibition contained numerous collections which all interrelated in one way or another. The room was described as a ‘vast diagrammatic network of intersections’ (NGV, 2017). It reflected one of the core ideas behind the exhibition, which is to find patterns and connections across things and ideas. Moreover, it is also a reflection of one of Pound’s perspectives of the internet, how through algorithms the internet moves from one subject or thing to another and how this can be applied to the real world in Pound’s way of ‘thinking through things’ (Pound, 2016).

I found that the exhibition had an inherent focus on the connection between things, rather than the things themselves. Instead of concentrating on what the things were, I wanted to know what connected them to the things beside them, and the things on the opposite walls. There was no focus on the specific meaning of the things, rather what they inherently were and how they related to the things around them.

The exhibition made me think about the way people collect, and our own personal constraints put in place when collecting. What is a collection? Numerous things somehow connected by a singular aspect? If so all the objects I own could be considered a collection, all connected by one unifying things, me.

 

bloggerama

So apparently all my blog titles consist of randomly made up names. What’s new.

There has been a relatively large lapse in posting on this blog. Yes. I am acknowledging it. I am not proud. I am not going to sit around making excuses, I am just going to move on.

Easter break was absolutely chaotic, however, I managed to read through ‘Rethinking the Animate, Reanimating Thought’ by Tim Ingold a fair few times. The first time I read it I feel as though absolutely nothing resonated with me, albeit I honestly was not in the mindset to understand anything at that time. The second time I read it, the content started to make more sense. While I am still unsure I completely understand everything Ingold t postulates, it has made me think. A lot.

As we were required to complete a list of 20 questions from the text, I found myself questioning everything. I would then attempt to answer my own questions, of which I was sometimes successful in doing so. Otherwise, they would be added to the list. I actually liked the process, it helped my to think about things further than I normally would.

So, this is my attempt at getting back into blogging. Let’s hope I continue.

participatepatepate

I am going to be honest here, I have not done a great deal in the past week with regards to this subject. Life got in the way. Being the queen of procrastination, I found myself having to complete other assignments I’d left to the last minute.

However, I did manage to complete the third chapter of Alien Phenomenology. Claps all around. I even highlighted quotes within the chapter to heighten my understanding. Albeit, I still do not understand that much of it, I believe my avid highlighting did aid me even in the smallest of ways. Normally I would write notes on the chapter in addition to the highlighting, however I did not find the time to do so in this past week.

Summarily, I am not overly satisfied with my participation this week but I am also not overly disappointed either. I did not completely neglect this subject but I also did not do as much as I would have liked. In the following week, I intend to:

  • Write notes on the Bogost reading
  • Do any other reading required of me
  • Write blog posts
  • Work on video track and complete it