bighornsthomas

This is the audio walk for the week 2 task for BCP 2005.

Queen’s University Belfast is known for its historic buildings, like the Laynon building in front of you, but also for its use of new ideas and concepts to lead their student into the future.  One way QUB is moving to the future is by having modules focused on Interactive Media.  However, is Interactive media a new form of media?  Tom Perlmutter, former head of the National Film Board of Canada, says so. But I beg to differ.  For many years, we’ve have interactive media.  From video games, to choose-your-own-adventure stories, to even Museums.  In all of those the consumer can pick and choose what they want to do in that medium.  In my opinion, the only new nature of interactive media is the name itself.  Now that video games and interactive video have become popular, there needed to be a term for this style of media leading to the term: “interactive”.

starling

goldfinch

Here at the QFT, you can see a variety of stories ranging from feature films to documentaries.  However, Web documentaries can be more compelling than normal documentaries due to their relationship with the viewer.  In Web docs, views turn into users which creates a different type of engagement due to the interactive elements.  Users can take in the information like conversations by choosing who they want to hear from or what topic they want to listen about.  Or, users can upload their own content to expand upon the web doc almost like they’re a co-creator.  Or, users can experiment with the project as if it was a virtual world to explore.  Or, users can consume content in a linear format like a regular documentaries but they can choose to dive deeper into a particular topic if it interest them.  Overall, Web documentaries allow a connection to be made between the user and the project because the user has to actively engaged to properly access the project.

hoopoe

Here at The Union Bar you can hear a variety of stories. These stories can be told in a normal linear fashion or in a mixed up nonlinear state.  Web Documentaries follow a similar fashion. However, Web Docs have the ability to focus on an entirely different narrative structure: interactivity.  They can mix all these elements together to help support the narrative they want to tell.  It all depends on 5 different elements: the length of the content, the digital medium, the different routes, interaction incentives, and the sources of persuasion.  The length of the documentary can affect viewer retention.  The medium can determine levels of interactivity whether it be an interactive video or a full website.  The different routes may intimidate the view or leave them wanting more.  The incentives for interactive can help retain viewership as well.  Finally, the sources of persuasion are key to properly informing the viewer.  Now that you know more about story telling elements, go on and have a few pints.  Don’t be afraid to share your stories in either a linear, nonlinear or interactive style!

Rob Thomas BCP2005 Week 2 Reflections

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