The Chase in Transmedia Storytelling

Henry Jenkin’s Transmedia Storytelling 101, “represents a process where integral elements of a fiction get dispersed systematically across multiple delivery channels for the purpose of creating a unified and coordinated entertainment experience.” Transmedia storytelling is based more on words and word-building instead of specific characters or plots. Words can go a long way. The more marketing, the more people are going to know about the product and talk about the product, which equals more business. This new tool is a creative mechanism that keeps the audience wanting more. Instead of the audience knowing everything about a movie through previews, this transmedia storytelling only gives hints to what the story may lead to. The audience is forced to find other sources that may fill in more pieces of the puzzle just as Cloverfield was potrayed. Many movies are starting to use transmedia storytelling as money builders. The more items, the more money. Tomb Raider is an excellent example of transmedia storytelling. A fan can read Tomb Raider in a book, watch the movie, play the video game, buy the dolls, or even see the character Lara in pictures of what she would look like in “real life.” Transmedia storytelling allows the audience to get involved on a more personable level. Lara is a very adventurous and intriguing character that really keeps the audience coming back for more. An audience wants suspense and yearns to see what is up the producer’s sleeve next. The more options an audience has to a particular program the better. Businesses that use transmedia storytelling everywhere, such as in television, the internet, comic books, etc. will do better than those businesses that leave no chase and no imagination. Transmedia storytelling is a clever tool that I think Jenkins did a good job getting the message out there. Everyone wants a little bit of word fiction and creative gestures that keeps them wanting more, because in the end when we figure everything out it is the best reward and satisfaction!