http://asmith50.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/what-will-they-do-transmedia-producers-as-narrative-architects/
This is an interesting article that I stumbled across today as I browsed Google for more comment on Transmedia narrative.
In this blog we get a discussion exploring the difference between a traditional film producer and a Transmedia producer; the discussion arises as a result of the recent introduction of formal Transmedia producer credit by the producers Guild of America.
Traditional producer talents and skills setsare identified as involving management and finance; with some involved in the development of narrative extensions; but very few with expertise which cuts acrossdifferent medium platforms. The Transmedia producer has a different set of skills and one which draws connections across media platformsand involves conceptualising analysing and designing experiences at a macro level. The Transmedia producer is more than somebody who moves into the Transmedia realm with" a laundry list of media to explore, but actually has a deep understanding of the relationship between content context and culture.
Describes the Transmedial producer in terms of an architect somebody in the business of merging theory and practice to make up most of the points to Jeff Gomez who has long said that Transmedia storytelling in its purest form is simply the application of technique; the Transmedia producer specialise in bringing narrative materials sculpting intriguing mythologies and embedding satisfying revelations for those who want a closer look at the detail. Like an architect that Transmedia producer must consider the limitations and afforded series of the materials he is using, certain stories that lend themselves to particular media types and vice versa; as the narrative becomes more complex and threatens to impede comprehension that Transmedia producer must guard against blatant inconsistencies and contradictions. The narrative structure their design must be durable and organised as well as allowing for future construction in addition.
"Transmedia producers possess storytelling talent yes but they should also appreciate the complex relationship between story and game, author and audience openness and closure, art and commodity. They must be well versed in any sector of the entertainment industry as they are improper culture and banned as a whole."
Finally when they have done their job right as media producer design spaces not just people to admire but also to interact, play and collaborate.
And it when I've been developing the SEER I have found myself much more in the role of Transmedia architect than simple storyteller. It is in crafting Transmedia world robust enough to contain the various narrative strands of the SEER's story ,that I've come up against my biggest challenges. it is in my website www.theheath.net but I hope to create a space where people can interact play and collaborate in developing the SEER narrative.
I don't think there's anything really new in this blog but I did like the idea of a Transmedia architect and I also really like the way in which the writer encapsulating the idea of creating a space where consumers are able to play interact and collaborate in the Transmedia narrative. I think it fits really well alongside projects like Warner Brothers why so serious (see blog entry ).
