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Monday, November 5, 2012

Trans-Media




Greetings fellow Turbo Monkeys,
It’s me Craig and I’m here to talk to you about Trans-media.
Another buzz word trending up?  For most people that’s all it is, but for me it’s something I have been expecting for decades.  
So is trans-media simply ebooks and video games?  No.
Trans-media is the release of specific story elements across many outlets including books, movies, TV shows, games and webisodics. But it’s not the retelling of the same story.   Each type of media offers it’s own contribution.  The comics for character origins, games for action conflict, TV series for the main unfolding story arc.  In essence, deep immersion into that world. Just like my project, The Goths. The Goths Trans-media project
Disney has been creating Trans-media for decades.  The Lion King animated film spawned video games, picture books, a spin off TV series called Timon and Pumbaa and a hit Broadway musical.
The requirement of diverse and technically advanced outlets might lead you to think only large publishers or movie studios are able to produce trans-media.  But I am here as proof that trans-media is not just for the Spielbergs, Disneys, Warner Brothers or Random Penguin Houses.  
Now what does this mean for you writers?  Build a world.  Don’t just tell a thin line of story.  All the history of your characters, their childhood dreams, their most traumatic experiences or their most influential friend will be required to produce the vast, lush, distinct yet connected stories necessary for trans-media productions.  
Trans-media has been around for years. It’s just that now we know what it looks like and what to call it.  Write prepared my friends. 

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17 comments:

  1. Hazel MitchellNovember 5, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    Excellent reminder to always think about back story.

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    1. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 8:36 AM

      Yes, we writers sometimes fuss over plot instead of depth...but i think the secret is this. When we build a complete set of characters and understand why they make decisions...they will create the plot and add the twists without the writer devising anything.

      Thanks Hazel.

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  2. JoannaNovember 5, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    I find it all fascinating, convinced it will become more prevalent, but still pretty overwhelming. It does, as Hazel says, want to make me flesh out my stories. Good luck with the Goths Trans-media project. I am following with great interest!

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    1. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 8:37 AM

      Thank you Joanna. I agree. And we writers and creative types should be ready for the rapid changes coming.

      Cheers

      Craig

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  3. Amy Allgeyer CookNovember 5, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    This is the best explanation of trans-media I've seen. Thanks Craig!!

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    1. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 8:40 AM

      Aw thank you Amy. It might be the only one too...kidding.

      I hope it makes sense. I also hope that writers can get a feel of the changes that are approaching caused by the rapid advancement of consumer technology.

      Have a great week.

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  4. LindaNovember 5, 2012 at 7:44 AM

    "Write prepared, my friend." Excellent advice. And I enjoyed listening to you talk, but I read along too. I'm such a multi-tasker. Best of everything with The Goths.

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    1. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 8:44 AM

      Thanks so much Linda.

      As a film guy, I must add some sort of imagery to my blog posts...even if they are simply pictures of Smittens.

      I do hope The Goths survives long enough to be an example of innovation.

      Cheers to you.

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  5. KC HeldNovember 5, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    Cool stuff! I wonder if there's some way you could add one of those 3D printers into the mix...:)

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    1. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 7:52 PM

      I do not see why not. We could make toys on demand.

      Next time i will also include smart phone apps, IP tunneling, VOIP and the ever popular Wifi hot spot maps for all carriers.

      No...wait. This is not the audience for that.

      I think i will talk about the visual thesaurus...yes, that makes more sense.

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  6. UnknownNovember 5, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    Oh BTW, Smittens was playing with the script while I was attempting to record the video at 1 AM. On a few takes she attacked the camera and once she attempted to jump into my lap...that is why there were so many transitions and paper flutters.

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  7. SarahNovember 5, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    Or... Random Penguin House??? Love it, Craig! You've given us yet another reason to dig deep into our stories.

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    1. UnknownNovember 6, 2012 at 11:21 AM

      Thank you Sarah,

      I do my best to bring something different each time.
      I am a big believer in Trans-media story telling.
      Maybe Smittens Says will me the next project.

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  8. Marilyn HiltonNovember 5, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    I love this: "All the history of your characters, their childhood dreams, their most traumatic experiences or their most influential friend will be required to produce the vast, lush, distinct yet connected stories necessary for trans-media productions." Thanks, Craig!

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    1. UnknownNovember 6, 2012 at 11:23 AM

      Thank you Marilyn,

      I know you already do that in your work and it shows.

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  9. UnknownNovember 6, 2012 at 7:04 AM

    Enjoyed this! Build a world, yes!

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    1. UnknownNovember 6, 2012 at 11:23 AM

      Hi EJ,

      Thanks. I want a button that says, "Hi I'm Craig, World Builder."

      Delete

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