Henry Jenkins states that multimedia and transmedia assume very different roles for its spectators, consumers and readers. The differences between multimedia and transmedia are that multimedia refers to the integration of multiple modes of expression within a single application. Whereas transmedia refers to the dispersal of the same elements across multiple media platforms. For example transmedia storytelling form is a story being told and introduced in a film, later expanded through television, novels, comics, video game play, or even as an amusement park.The purpose of transmedia is to try to expand the product or story to reach audience that may not have been reached before and to promote participation.
With multimedia consumers just need to click the content and its there for them, whether they are just watching something on the computer, VHS, DVD, iPAD , or movie theatre. Multimedia is just display the same content in a diffrent way, not changing it. For example the movie Titanic on VHS, DVD, T.V, or Netflix would be an example of multimedia.According to Jenkins, "a transmedia story unfolds across multiple media platforms, with each new text making a distinctive and valuable contribution to the whole" (97-98). In this transmedia form, consumers are more prone to be interested because the product and it’s context are pitched differently (maybe by alot maybe not some much) through diffrent mediums. Films and televisionof course have a wide and diverse audiences, whereas games or comic books have the more narrow almost specific group. Therefore by opening up these platforms the chance of the story being told is greater to a greater audience .
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| Wizarding World |
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| Wizarding World |
A great example would be The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Jenkins uses Harry Potter in his book Convergence Culture alot. From my own analysis if this isn’t transmedia I don’t know what transmedia is! Harry Potter started from a book , to a movie , to now an amusement park section on Universal Studio. The amusement park literally promotes audience/ fan participation. Rides , food, and other collectibles physically let the audience not just participate but actually live ,experience , and interact Harry Potter in real life. Not only does the amusement park represent what transmedia is in the flesh , but the amusement park itself uses transmedia to further.
I like to relate transmedia to public relations since that is the field I would want to work in. In P.R you have to think of your audience. For example I think it is extremely clever how music artist and other celebrities “tell their story”. For example I love Rihanna. Rihanna has a perfume , just launched a clothing line, and has a line in MAC. Since I am already a fan of RiRi because of her music, I’m more likely to buy everything that she comes out with. For others who may not be a fan or her music may love the scent of her perfume or her makeup. This is expanding Rihanna as a brand and also her story gets to be told and reached to people it may not have before. Transmedia is the reason why when you google someone , their wikipedia doesn't just say one thing. For example Rihanna's Wikipedia describes her as a recording artist , actress, and fashion designer.
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| RiRi rocking her clothing line |
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| RiRi <3 Mac |
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| RiRi's perfume |
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| Singing her #1 |
The use of various platforms benefit everyone involved because by doing so it expands the audience. Expanded audience = more $$. As Jenkins states, "It should be organic to what made the film experience compelling" (108). Consumers want to feel connected. Transmedia allows fans to experience their favorite shows/games in various ways to make them feel involved.
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