GTS WK2 Analysis: Why Create Transmedia

East Coast and West Coast Transmedia have a few noticeable differences. Andrea Phillips is credited with making a distinction between East and West Coast Media. West Coast Media is also known as Hollywood Media. It focuses on one huge main topic and focuses on the big piece of media, such as a film franchise. It then uses this big topic or theme, which is self-contained and puts other supporting materials with it. An example of this would be the Lord Of the Rings franchise. This is especially true in the Hobbit movies, as Peter Jackson has used material from other sources to add more to the films. Not only did Jackson use the book’s appendix and other materials to flesh out the world more, he created more interest in the franchise, as well. Another thing of note is that this has let there be a great number of films in the series. An example of this would be East coast trans media is more social media based, and relies mostly on several pieces from different locations coming together to further the story. This type of media tends to focus on several small pieces that make up one large piece. An example of this would be a game called “I Love Bees”. It was an alternate reality game connected to the Halo franchise. This website was a combination of using the trailer for a new game and creating a new experience for fans while they wait for the actual product.

An example of a trans media campaign that was effective was for the film District 9. There was marketing done for this movie at conventions and other Sci-Fi markets over a year before the film came out. There were signs, posters, and videos all promoting the film. This was marketed at other places that are Sci-Fi oriented as well. The film also used websites to market the film before and when it was out. This campaign is a good example of knowing who the core audience is and targeting them effectively. An example of art for art’s sake trans media would be an event called “Transannual – Normal Actions For Normal Heights.” This event is designed to have artists perform a specific story and others can participate as well. The event was promoted as more of an experience than anything else. This event was done more to give people an experience they had not had before, as opposed to focusing on marketing and sales like a conventional type of art would do.

Transmedia Short Story Element Map

For this project I will be creating a video that explains the main story. This will be posted on YouTube and different parts of the story will be connected through links that will be posted in the video description. Some of the social media/resourses used will be YouTube, Garage Band, PowToon, Wix, and Blogger. There will be eight parts to the story. The main story and also a link for each princess part of the story. These parts will each be represented by social media.

Project Timeline:

Day 1: Go over content focus materials

Day 2: Finish content focus materials, create timeline, practice 1

Day 3: Plan out all social media accounts needed and write story

Day 4: Week 2 Analysis and practice

Day 5: Start creating content, social media accounts

Day 6: Create more social media accounts, start putting story into the elements

Day 7: Mid way check in

Day 8: Use week 3 content focus and review everything so far

Day 9: Week 3 Practice and Exploration

Day 10: Create more accounts

Day 11: Week 3 Practice and Analysis

Day 12 & 13: Create everything still needed

Day 14: Double check and proofread, turn in project

GTS Week 2 Practice A

I feel I was too ambitious last week and did not get a good result as I could not even finish my project. I feel if I get an early start and work a bit each day, I will be able to get through this project much better. I also better understand what to use as a starting point, and which types of social media will work well together.

I am planning to take on a story that has just enough content to be effective, but does not take on too much, as to be really hard to make cohesive. I am planning on updating the fairy tale the twelve dancing princesses. This version of the story will have seven princesses instead of twelve and each one will have a unique ability and temptation for the hero of the story. If he can get by each challenge he will receive a reward.