Sunday 28 February 2010
Learning Harry Potter
After researching for the screencast i have learnt there are many things which make up the franchise of Harry Potter, i would have considered myself a fan as i love all the books and films and have played on the games. I did not realise that there are bands and pod casts dedicated to the world of Harry Potter, i found it very interesting to look at this side of Harry Potter and see the fans who are involved in creating these websites, bands and even to the extremes of tattoo's.
Harry Potter Fandom
For the screencast and final group project (report) our initial group has split into pairs therefore i am working with Naomi Roberts on Harry Potter fandom, this is going to include web based fans. From fansites such as
www.mugglenet.com
http://the-leaky-cauldron.org/
These are the most popular ones on the internet and the most well known. Websites like mugglenet and the leaky cauldron have alot of information about anything Harry Potter related from interviews with cast members, to new releases of lego, films. Not only are these things are on these sights but there are also links to fanart, fanfiction and merchandise which fans can buy. There are also podcasts such as Pottercast and Mugglecast where there are discussions with presenters and other fans about the Harry Potter books, films and anything Harry Potter related.
www.mugglenet.com
http://the-leaky-cauldron.org/
These are the most popular ones on the internet and the most well known. Websites like mugglenet and the leaky cauldron have alot of information about anything Harry Potter related from interviews with cast members, to new releases of lego, films. Not only are these things are on these sights but there are also links to fanart, fanfiction and merchandise which fans can buy. There are also podcasts such as Pottercast and Mugglecast where there are discussions with presenters and other fans about the Harry Potter books, films and anything Harry Potter related.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Article 3
Dena. Christy (2004) Current state of cross media storytelling: Preliminary observations for future design. [online] School of Creative Arts: University of Melbourne. Article from Monique de Haas at ‘Crossmedia communication in the dynamic knowledge society’ networking session, European Information Systems Technologies at
http://www.christydena.com/Docs/DENA_CrossMediaObservations.pdf
This article/ paper discusses the theory behind the idea of cross media and what those theorists have decided. They say that the audience and recipient are the main part of cross media as they are the ones that have the most influence what goes on the Internet. The term 'transfiction' is also introduced which is a single-story told over multiple channels such as a board game using a DVD as part of it.
The terms 'cross channel' 'inter-channel' and 'intra-channel.' The term 'channel' is the way something is viewed or packed such as a film which can be viewed by cinema, DVD. Dena also suggests that a cross media work needs to have the following characteristics:
1) User activity to assemble the ‘work’;
2) Activity is narrative-driven;
3) Activity is between channels, and can be within a channel, and between modes.
Dena looks into The Beast (2001) as cross media, it was a game which used the websites, newspapers, film, television, emails, phone calls and faxes to solve the clues, the gaming world has become reality. The term story role and storyworld role define the difference between the original media and it changing or transferring this to other media's. Harry Potter is used as an example of cross media which need to transform much of the narrative and navigation techniques currently used in media to cover all different types of media.
http://www.christydena.com/Docs/DENA_CrossMediaObservations.pdf
This article/ paper discusses the theory behind the idea of cross media and what those theorists have decided. They say that the audience and recipient are the main part of cross media as they are the ones that have the most influence what goes on the Internet. The term 'transfiction' is also introduced which is a single-story told over multiple channels such as a board game using a DVD as part of it.
The terms 'cross channel' 'inter-channel' and 'intra-channel.' The term 'channel' is the way something is viewed or packed such as a film which can be viewed by cinema, DVD. Dena also suggests that a cross media work needs to have the following characteristics:
1) User activity to assemble the ‘work’;
2) Activity is narrative-driven;
3) Activity is between channels, and can be within a channel, and between modes.
Dena looks into The Beast (2001) as cross media, it was a game which used the websites, newspapers, film, television, emails, phone calls and faxes to solve the clues, the gaming world has become reality. The term story role and storyworld role define the difference between the original media and it changing or transferring this to other media's. Harry Potter is used as an example of cross media which need to transform much of the narrative and navigation techniques currently used in media to cover all different types of media.
Article 2
Jenkins. Henry (2004) The cultural logic of media convergence [online] Article from the International Journal of cultural studies. London. Sage Publications. Article from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
last accessed 23 February 2010 at:
http://eng1131adaptations.pbworks.com/f/Jenkins,+Henry++-+The+Cultural+Logic+of+Media+Convergence.pdf
In this article Jenkins describes the theories and discussions already made about media convergence and its pros and cons the modern society is causing for cinema. He discusses the roles of the producer and the recipient and how involved a recipient can be with a franchise there seems to be an edge that suggests recipients should not create their own ideas towards a program or create anything to do with it as it should be down to the producer of this film or television program to decide how much media convergence there should be. He also suggests that some media industries are reluctant for media convergence and transmedia, this article is however from 2004 and i think this has an impact on the way it is written as transmedia is such a common thing here in 2010. He also talks about how Warner Brothers were so against the creation Harry Potter fansites but now we know how important these fansites are to the whole world of Harry Potter.
The cultural difference is also discussed and how globalisation has taken over depending on who creates the best product is key rather than just having an interest from whatever country you live in.
last accessed 23 February 2010 at:
http://eng1131adaptations.pbworks.com/f/Jenkins,+Henry++-+The+Cultural+Logic+of+Media+Convergence.pdf
In this article Jenkins describes the theories and discussions already made about media convergence and its pros and cons the modern society is causing for cinema. He discusses the roles of the producer and the recipient and how involved a recipient can be with a franchise there seems to be an edge that suggests recipients should not create their own ideas towards a program or create anything to do with it as it should be down to the producer of this film or television program to decide how much media convergence there should be. He also suggests that some media industries are reluctant for media convergence and transmedia, this article is however from 2004 and i think this has an impact on the way it is written as transmedia is such a common thing here in 2010. He also talks about how Warner Brothers were so against the creation Harry Potter fansites but now we know how important these fansites are to the whole world of Harry Potter.
The cultural difference is also discussed and how globalisation has taken over depending on who creates the best product is key rather than just having an interest from whatever country you live in.
Saturday 20 February 2010
Article 1
SCOLARI,carlos alberto (2009) Transmedia Storytelling:Implicit Consumers, Narrative Worlds, and Branding in Contemporary Media Production [online] Article from International Journal of Communication 3, 586-606 last accessed 20 February 2010 at:http://ijoc.org/ojs/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/477/336
This article discusses 'Transmedia Storytelling'and the use of 'semiotics' to analyse different types of transmedia. This article implies that transmedia products are beneficial for the economic suggesting that perhaps products like this are used just to create more money. But also transmedia increases the target audience therefore creating a wider brand. Scolari says that from a semiotics perspective a text constructs its reader therefore a film/game/book etc all have levels for different people depending creating a multilayer of perspectives. He uses the example of 24 to show how something can become transmedia in every way from on the Internet to graphic novels to games etc.He says that it becomes a complex semiotic device for multiple implicit meanings and generating consumers. A certain text has to have a strong narrative to be able to transfer across different types of media. The idea of brands are also shown as in narrative worlds as a brand or the brand as a narrative world.
With Harry Potter Scolari suggests that transmedia storytelling is important when creating a brand which is recognisable due to the style, values, narrative and characters which become so widely known.
This reference covers the idea of semiotics and narrative within transmedia storytelling which clearly are important when discussing the idea of branding and peoples consumption or perspectives of different sorts of media.
This article discusses 'Transmedia Storytelling'and the use of 'semiotics' to analyse different types of transmedia. This article implies that transmedia products are beneficial for the economic suggesting that perhaps products like this are used just to create more money. But also transmedia increases the target audience therefore creating a wider brand. Scolari says that from a semiotics perspective a text constructs its reader therefore a film/game/book etc all have levels for different people depending creating a multilayer of perspectives. He uses the example of 24 to show how something can become transmedia in every way from on the Internet to graphic novels to games etc.He says that it becomes a complex semiotic device for multiple implicit meanings and generating consumers. A certain text has to have a strong narrative to be able to transfer across different types of media. The idea of brands are also shown as in narrative worlds as a brand or the brand as a narrative world.
With Harry Potter Scolari suggests that transmedia storytelling is important when creating a brand which is recognisable due to the style, values, narrative and characters which become so widely known.
This reference covers the idea of semiotics and narrative within transmedia storytelling which clearly are important when discussing the idea of branding and peoples consumption or perspectives of different sorts of media.
Literature Search/ Research Methods
Using the research method of Google Scholar i have started my research into Harry Potter. I have done this by using the Advanced Scholar Search where i have found articles within relation to the idea of transmedia and franchise. I changed the Scholar preferences to English and with links to Sheffield Hallam University, i have also limited the search from 2000 to present as it allows for both recent articles and ones from the past 10 years. However it was very difficult to find articles on Harry Potter as most articles only reference the franchise as an example not as the topic. For this reason these articles can be applied to Harry Potter but are not necessarily the focus. I have created a powerpoint with screengrabs from the three articles i have chosen.
Saturday 13 February 2010
Screencast and Research Findings
For both the screencast and the research report i will be working with Ellen Parkin, Kirsty Gray and Naomi Roberts.
We will be researching into the world of Harry Potter from the books to films to the games and the fanbase. The phenomenon of the Harry Potter franchise which has taken over the globe from children to parents and grandparents. I think this will be an interesting subject to look at not only for transmedia ppurposes but because we are all interested in Harry Potter. I am a particular fan and this is why i am looking forward to researching in to this franchise more and everything that goes along with the books and films.
V for Vendetta trailer analysis
I did not know that this film was actually adapted from a graphic novel until told but i could tell that there was some elements of a graphic novel. The only other graphic novel film i have seen is 300 and i can see that there are similarities due to its provenance. I have not seen this film or read the graphic novel but think it looks appealing to those who are not necessarily graphic novel fans, it appears to add a stylistic quality to the film. It allows those who have read it to appreciate this but also for people who just enjoy it as a film
The use of of costume is very key within this film as the costume of 'V' has a very perfect look, from the glossy mask and boots to the hair cut and cape.I think this is often seen in films like this.
There is one part of the trailer where V throws knives which fly through the air this is an exact scene from the graphic novel, the use of special effects surrounding these knives do reflect the style of a graphic novel.
The use of grey and blue lighting is effective, along with alot of black and red all help the style of this film.
There is a style of narration which goes over the top of the trailer i believe this is also part of the graphic novel transference.
Other elements seem to appear within this trailer such as religion and politics seem an important part with this film.
American Beauty trailer analysis
Is this film a low concept film sold as a high concept film?
The story does seem to be quite complex and therefore would suggest it to be a low concept film. But the iconic image of the be bare stomach and red rose would suggest that this film has been created to appear like a high concept film but perhaps actually showing something that could be real life?
There are elements of this trailer which remind me of Desperate Housewives or Stepford Wives where everything seems normal on the outside but if you 'look closer' there is more to this life.
The text which comes up on the screen 'look closer' implies this perhaps giving the message that something bad will in fact happen because perfection cannot last.
The colour red also seems to be a recurring colour this may suggest either danger or love/passion perhaps both within this film.This colour is used in the roses which appear several times within this trailer either surrounding the girl or in the living room next to Lester. His wife also appears to wear alot of red such as suits and lipstick. The red front door and alot of other clothes and lighting. It is obviously key to this film, but not in a Scorese like way more about the passion and love. However it does also suggest something bad is going to happen.
The musi
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