OUAN601 - Evidence the Link Between Reading & Practical Investigation

My practical investigation will involve me creating an original intellectual property to develop into a transmedia experience. In accompaniment to this I am going to produce a transmedia bible. The function of a transmedia production bible is to capture the key story, context and backstory as well as design elements, rules of engagement, functionality and technical issues across all of the different media platforms that are being utilised to communicate the multiple narratives. There will also be a business/marketing plan contained within the production bible. In industry, each of the five main sections covering a specific are would require a specialist in that particular field to be responsible for its development. The production bible will be developed as the service goes from the early stages of concept and idea to production and then a fully detailed plan giving a full guide to the nature of the franchise and how the different elements will work in collaboration with each other.

In terms of my readings link to this practical, there is a number of texts I have engaged with that detail the advantages and shortcomings of transmedia storytelling, which platforms are successful with certain audiences and the theory behind the implementation of specific aspects in a transmedia franchise. I have also spent time reading on the ways in which other transmedia franchises i.e The Walking Dead are successful and in what ways the transmedia method has been used to create a successful service. I have looked at multiple set ups, genres and storytelling methods including; alternate reality, genre theory and the hero's journey, magical realism, negative capability and authorial reticence. All of which will contributing to allowing me to develop my IP with the knowledge required to communicate a narrative using a transmedia format.

OUAN601 - Methodologies and Critical Analysis Lecture

This lecture was centered around understand and being able to determine our own methodology when moving forward with our dissertations. A methodology is 'a system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.' In other words it is the approaches taken and the methods used to undertake a particular task, in this case the researching of a dissertation question. Some things that could be included in a methodology of this nature are, a literature review (literature from the library, internet and journals), questionnaires, interviews, sketchbooks, reflective blog, and maintaining a critical diary. In my case I will include a literature review, interviews with the relevant people to my dissertation question and any reflective or critical record I keep of my findings including sketchbook work. The methodology used should be outlined and explained at the beginning of the dissertation in the introduction. Richard stated the importance of having a methodology and that we will need to develop one to complete our dissertations.

• Every Research Project will have some sort of methodology, even if it is ill thought out, or you don’t recognise it as such.
• Methodology is a scientistic word, with intimidating connotations, but is actually pretty straightforward.
• Simply put, a methodology is –
• A logical, systematic, and structured way of organising a research project and gathering necessary information.
• Evidence that you have reflected critically on various research methods and chosen the ones that are most appropriate for your particular research project.
• Therefore, a methodology is unique to each project.

In terms of critical analysis, we were also given some advice as to where to find certain information and how to include it in our writing. Critical analysis was defined as stepping away and using reasoned thinking combined with evidence based research to draw conclusions about a certain topic or question. To do this, it is important to look at different viewpoints when addressing a piece of information or research. Furthermore, building a good argument to answer the research question is important when writing in this way. Making sure that I am constantly asking myself if I have good evidence to support the points being made as well as making sure I am looking in the correct places and in turn expressing my argument in a clear and logical way is paramount. I will also need to make use of triangulation in order to pit the different viewpoints I am including against each other. This includes bringing a position to light and finding viewpoints that both agree and disagree with this particular position where possible and drawing conclusions in this way. Finally, in the conclusion to my dissertation I need to show the person reading that I am evaluating the evidence for its relevance and reliability, and from this coming to conclusions based on the the value of the evidence I've found.

OUAN601 - Triangulation of Theories in Area of Interest

The overarching question I'm asking in my dissertation is 'to what extent does transmedia storytelling make for better immersion?' The reason I've chosen this for my topic of research is that I'm interested in different ways of storytelling and the way in which storytelling has evolved and is constantly evolving. To me, transmedia storytelling appears to be a contemporary method of storytelling that encourages the audience to seek different types of media in collaboration with each other to enrich the storytelling experience overall. There is a broad range of reading material specifically covering transmedia storytelling but also the areas close to it, such as communication theory, convergence culture and genre theory. In terms of the question 'does transmedia storytelling make for better immersion?' there are different theories surrounding it.

Henry Jenkins, author of Convergence Culture suggests that 'In immersion, then, the consumer enters into the world of the story, while in extractability, the fan takes aspects of the story away with them as resources they deploy in the spaces of their everyday life.' (Jenkins, 2016a) Here, Jenkins is comparing the differences between immersion and extractability. Jenkins defines the way a consumer would be come immersed by entering into the world of the story, this could be through attending theme parks or through the use of social media that brings the story world to an interactive and social setting. Extractability, however is the consumer taking aspects of the story away with them as resources they deploy in the spaces of their everyday life, for example items from a gift shop. (Jenkins, 2011) Through the use of immersive storytelling, the audience enters and becomes submerged in the world, even for just a short period it can mean that they are suspending disbelief of the fictional elements and setting aside their real-world circumstances. At the time of release, James Cameron’s Avatar pushed the technical capabilities of cinema with motion-capture animation techniques and seamless 3-D technology. According to Frank Rose from an interview he conducted with Cameron in 2006, his goal was to draw the viewer deeper into the world he had created, eliminating the artificial frame created by the movie screen. Cameron's partner Jon Landau explained to Rose, '3-D is about immersing the audience in your story, and the screen plane has always been this subconscious barrier.' (Rose, 2011) 'The casual viewer can enjoy it without having to drill down to secondary or tertiary levels of detail..but for a real fan, you go in an order of magnitude and boom! There’s a whole new set of patterns.' (Rose, 2011) In contrast to this, (Dalby, 2016) argues that the idea of immersing the audience through the use of transmedia storytelling experiences is a misleading concept, one that is in need of interrogation and a more certain classification. (Dalby, 2016) This idea is based on the definition of immersion by François Dominic Laramée; 'All forms of entertainment strive to create suspension of disbelief, a state in which the […] mind forgets that it is being subjected to entertainment and instead accepts what it perceives as reality.' (Salen, Zimmerman, and Tekinba, 2003) However, is this the only true definition of immersion? Fans of a particular franchise that become immersed in it, aim to create their own extensions to the story that become transmedia them self. This is an example of what Jenkins calls the 'logic of performance'. An example in practice is when fans of Lost managed to create a map of the island on which the series is set, but the map itself is never shown in the series. Finally, fans of Star Wars have made 'Star Wars Uncut', a series of fan made videos created using different mediums stitched together to recreate the entire film. (Gallarino, 2012)

OAUN601 - Organising your Research Project

The opening lecture for context of practice 3 was delivered by Richard Miles on the subject of 'organising research'. Although I have started to develop my dissertation and at this point have a good amount of research I did get some useful insight from the information we were given. Firstly, there were two books that I want to look into further that discuss explicitly the skills and necessary steps to develop a good research project and analysis and argument within that project. Doing Your Research Project by Judith Bell (now in its fifth edition) and Critical Thinking Skills by Stella Cottrell. Richard recommended both of these books so I'll make sure to have a look at them and take anything from them that I can to enhance the analysis within my research and the arguments I'm forming in answering my dissertation question.

The structure of the context of practice 3 module is broken down into two components, the dissertation and the accompanying practical piece. The module itself is expected to include around 400 hours of work-made up of self directed study and taught sessions, this is the recommended working time for a 40 credit module. I also think the amount of feedback we will be getting is adequate to ensure the written element is as good as it can be based on tutor input. The rest of the lecture was encouraging us to plan our time and set out a list of objectives in order to make sure we do a literature search and understand the format of the essay we are writing. Referencing and essay structure were also touched on. Despite already having done most of what was recommended to us over summer, all of the information and advice given was a good reminder to make sure that I'm on top of my research and creating a bibliography in conjunction with the writing of the essay. This makes sure that the sources I'm using are kept up to date and there is less risk of letting a source go unaccredited.

Richard emphasised several specific things we could do to ensure organising our project is straight forward and ensures that the process leads to a successful outcome.

• Firstly, choosing an appropriate title. The title should be no more than 15 to 20 words and ideally it should provide a thesis, or an answerable assertion. The title should also give an appropriate tone, whilst employing key terms that denote the ideas and discussion that will be conveyed in the writing.
• Next, the project outline. We should make sure to allow a generous amount of time for initial reading and writing up and consider the time taken up by work, social events and any holidays outside of university. Include targets and milestones for the written and practical components of the project.
• Deadline 15 weeks from 27.09.16
• In terms of referencing our dissertation, start compiling a bibliography at the beginning of the project so that everything is up to date, include all details (name, forename, date, place, publisher, page), use Harvard referencing.
• Information regarding the format of the dissertation, it should be separated into chapters. Each chapter should ideally evidence a different theoretical or methodological approach. The chapters can be quite different in focus – hopefully the introduction will explain why you have chosen to structure the argument a certain way and the conclusion will draw the chapters together. Think about how these different chapters relate to your practical research. Move from the general to the specific aspects of the argument.
• During the introductory segment of the dissertation the topic being investigated should be clearly outlined and explained to the reader why it is an important area to study. State the overarching research question of the project. This should be formulated as an answerable question or assertion, not an abstract statement. (If necessary, you might also wish to articulate more specific sub-questions that guide your project). Outline the methodology. This might include highlighting key primary and secondary research methods, including visual, practical, and textual research methods. Completing the above may necessitate telling the reader what your own individual position (theoretical, political etc.) on this topic is. This is not necessary, but good practice as it is a demonstration of academic honesty and a defence against accusations of bias.
• The first body of the dissertation should show awareness of key theoretical sources within the chosen topic. Evidence that you are aware of all the key contextual information (leading practitioners in the field, influential historical events, social and cultural contexts, policy, legislation etc) within your chosen topic. Appraisals of the quality of evidence cited. Try to use reliable sources at all times. Use triangulation to draw independent conclusions based of contrasting or complimentary options and sources. Avoid writing in a linear or chronological fashion. The best writing at this level is comparative and critical. Write in paragraphs that focus on specific points, which are woven together cumulatively to build into a powerful and well-defended argument, and make the writing flow. Explicitly explain the relevance of all of the material cited to the central research question or questions, and your chosen research methods (practical and textual). Conclude each sections with a small conclusion that links to the next chapter.
• A number of extended analyses of specific works. Try not to include too many – two or three extended, critical analyses are preferable to many superficial analyses. A clear rationale for the selection of the chosen works. Explicitly explain the relevance of all of the works cited to the central research question or questions. This is best dealt with in the first paragraph of this chapter. Descriptive Analysis: Basically, describing the work in as much detail as you can to help with your later interpretation. Theoretical and Contextual Analysis: explicitly evidence of the application of theoretical research and contextual information from Chapter 2 to back up your interpretations of your chosen works. In other words, use quotes and citations to back up your own ideas. Try to relate the work to the context in which it was discovered. What cultural and historical information is necessary to “get” the work? Do any social values or norms influence the way the work is interpreted, for instance by guiding the audience to make a specific moral judgement. Does the work make a claim for a specific truth about the world? End with a small conclusion that links to the next chapter.
• Conclusion: An extended paragraph summarising the findings of each of the preceding chapters. This can be tackled on a chapter-by-chapter basis, or as something more overarching, comparative, or fluid. Try to discuss research methods and processes as much as final outcomes. All conclusions should be linked to evidence produced in the main body of the dissertation. If there is material in the conclusion that doesn’t relate to preceding evidence, then take it out. All conclusions should explicitly answer the Research Questions outlined in the Introduction of the Dissertation.

OUAN601 - Presentation of Summer Research

Over the summer break I conducted a lot of research into my chosen topic area of transmedia storytelling. I was able to find a number of useful books in the library and ordered several more in that I thought would be useful to me in my COP3 research. Furthermore, I collected quite a number of web sources that were then compiled into my bibliography giving me a large range of useful references to continue on my project with. In terms of primary research, I was fortunate enough to have responses from two transmedia producers that I e-mailed questions too. The responses were very useful and I'm hoping moving further into the project that I can collect more responses based on other areas of research within my topic. I started writing different sections that could be useful to me later on and so that I could convert the research I'd done into somewhat usable writing. Aside from the written element of the project I also thought about my practical response and decided it would be appropriate to synthesise my written work with the making of a transmedia production bible. How far I'll be able to take the practical is unclear at the moment but I'm looking to create some aspects of a transmedia franchise along with the production bible.

I had some useful input following the presentation I gave on transmedia storytelling. This ranged from examples of transmedia franchises that I could look at for contextual research to questions being raised that could be addressed within my essay.