Transmedia Craze

I had never heard of the Transmedia Storytelling term before class, but after reading about it I realized how much I actually engage in this concept. I personally know that The Matrix is not for me and it never will be, yet the idea that Keanu Reeves explained to TV Guide readers, that the audience will get what they want out the movie Revolutions will be based on how much energy they put into it. That energy placed on consumption in all areas is something I would never do for The Matrix…HOWEVER, I do engage in that type of energy on things that DO excite me! In my case it is sometimes a TV show or Movie, but what I love even more is finding out information on Technology and Sports before it is reported to other.

From my experience, I was not a huge fan of the Twilight series until my friends forced me to watch a marathon of all the movies that were out on DVD and then went to see the newest one in theaters. Needless to say I became a fan and a member of Team Edward, (but also a fan of Team Jacobs Body) Now I say I am a fan BUT I’m not that big of a fan where I am going out and purchasing merchandise or even the DVD’s to own. I do engage in such behavior when it comes to TV shows I like such as, Desperate Housewives, Greys Anatomy, and One Tree Hill. No T-shirt buying, but I do own a few DVD collections. For me and my mom we find these shows to be “well made”, as Jenkins puts it, that it provides us a chance to talk throughout the week and construct our own fantasies about might happen in next episode.

I also liked Jenkins concept of Cult Films. How they are based on quotes and references drawn from a range of previous works. I actually LOVE things like this. The best example I was planning on sharing in class that utilizes this concept the best is Disney productions. In their movies, TV shows, and even in all the parks. Examples include, each park’s main castle is for a different princess. In Orlando at Magic Kingdom the castle “belongs” to Cinderella; in California the castle is Snow White’s, and in Paris its Aurora’s (Sleeping Beauty). My personal favorite is Disney’s Concept of “Hidden Mickeys”. It may not be written like the license plate references from The Matrix, but if you know about it you can find Hidden Mickeys in and throughout every park and ride. They have even created an app that you can download to help you find where each one is (p.s. I’ve clearly downloaded it)

I think we all engage in this type of trasmedia culture everyday truly based on our “love” and connection to the product and how much we choose place extra effort into it.