Month: February 2007

Dean Keep, a Masters student at RMIT University, has started a research blog on “micro-narratives”. That term, btw Dean, is not new. 😉 I personally like nano-narratives too, for the alliteration and how it makes me smile when I say it. But seriously, the study of micro-narratives, and micro-narratives created for the small screen (or for small and others depending on the distribution) is important and interesting. Here is Dean’s description of his site:

“The Poetics of Mobile Media” is the working title for my Masters by Research at RMIT university. The purpose of this page is to publish research, share ideas, and instigate a dialogue on mobile media.

The recent proliferation of mobile devices and wireless technology is driving a rapid interest in the development and production of content for mobile phones.

It is arguable that these “micro-narratives” ( a term I use to describe these projects) have elicited a new set of narratives codes and aesthetics. In a world where viewers have wireless access to content, it is important to look at how these micro-narratives contrast with more conventional modes of storytelling. How does portability of the device affect the user experience? What are the viewer expectations in regards to content, aesthetics and interactivity?

More to the point. Is there a potential audience for narrative driven projects designed specifically for the small screen?

Over the following months and perhaps years, I intend to search for the answers to these and many more questions related to mobile media. I look forward to your feedback.

Dean, do you know or know of Andrew McKenzie who is also doing/was doing a postgrad (PhD) in mobile narratives at RMIT? Andrew is in NZ, however, and his site is currently offline.

I look forward to reading more posts on Dean’s site: Poetics of Mobile Media.

 

Because there are so many different terms out there describing the same thing, and many that don’t but are employed by others to do so anyway, I decided to bundle the greatest hits together in this one title:

cross/trans/multi-platform/media storytelling/entertainment

Although they each mean different things to different people, the fact is they share a common trait in being an explanatory entry-point to the same idea. I really don’t mind which people use…we can get down to the specifics in specific environments….but as bundle banner I think it does a good job of bonding (or confusing) us all.

TransISTor is a training initiative organised by CIANT – International Centre for Art and New Technologies in cooperation with FAMU – Film and TV Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague supported by the MEDIA Training Programme of the European Union.

TransISTor focuses on computer games technologies while opening up their creative potential for non-gaming storytelling domains including art, cinema, TV, educational applications and cross-media productions.

Session 1: Game modifications and machinima films

From combination of comics and video games to films created with game engines. This session will provide an overview of tools and techniques used for customizing and expanding computer games. We will examine issues of game design and game play in the context of cross media production. The goal is to explore the basics of how to create and modify game levels. In the intensive 4-day workshop your will create your first machinima film.

Session 2: Motion capture and stereoscopy for games and film

During the intensive 4-day workshop you will investigate different motion capture techniques and carry out a collaborative project. Experienced tutors will explain the different motion capture systems, the process of setting sensors, recording sessions and the computer data post-processing. The goal is to experience the latest technologies, to integrate them and to create your own stereoscopic film with special effects.

Session 3: Serious games, web 2.0 and future cinema

This session is focused on the alternative forms of games and web 2.0 applications that are used for entertainment as well as for non-entertainment purposes such as art, edutainment, marketing, simulations, management and public policy. We will look closer at how these technologies are used for non-gaming events and processes, including simulations of business and military operations, psychotherapy or medicine. In the workshop you will create your own serious game scenario and experiment with web 2.0 applications, e.g. Google map mashups in art, business and cinema.

Check it out: http://transistor.ciant.cz