#ctec704

Transmedia Narratives is definitely a new and important way to experience a story.

My past experience with online twitter narratives and youtube mysteries proved that fact right out the gate. But being introduced to the massive, sprawling phenomenon the SCP community created was definitely next level for me. It was so easy to get lost in the pages and pages of creatures, things and places each with their own sometimes dangerous oddities. Even just becoming a part of that is an extension of the transmedia narrative. The “Beautiful Mind” project is my extension, it is the SCP Foundation testing behaviours of close to life Human A.I. interacting with dangerous SCPs to counteract the real-life loss that occurs much too often.

I do really Enjoy the premise I've created, as both an extension and possible franchise of its own. making accessible puzzles and hoping people enjoy the mystery. But if there was one thing I wish I tried, that would be creating a connection between the virtual and online world, it could’ve been as simple as sticking out a QR code in town. Cicada 3301 accomplished this around the world, in the first portion of one of their second puzzles, and they have the Mythos of being arguably one of the internets biggest mysteries. Something out of my experience range, but definitely a goal to aim for.

Below are all of my posts related to the class:

From Clues to Action.

Connecting the Dots.

Is Stenography too hardcore?

Where I'm at with Transmedia.

The Layout Formula For Jonah.

Creating a Fake A.I.

Final Submission and Reflective Statement 

In our final submission we have submitted a concept book which we have already given to Clint and Joseph. Also Carol has made a short demo as well which is also part of our Final Submission. With the book all of us were given roles of what to write for where and so everyone pitched in content, then Iris designed the book and got it printed for submission to Clint.

Overall I really enjoyed this paper, Clint and Joseph did a great job as lectures giving us feedback when needed and really understanding our struggles because of the stress we are under because of studio. All of us did a great job, we all got along with each other really well and understood each others strength and weaknesses. We were very organized and our time management was really incredible I have never been a part of a team that has been this organised in a while.  Transmedia has given me skills now I can take into other future projects.

My role in the team was basically from researching into past ideas to take inspirations and then providing the content for our designers Carol and Iris. I provided history research on locations, wrote some personal stories from people regarding those locations as well as taking some photos for some of the locations. Me and some others also set up so social media platform accounts and got them up and running

Before I touched on the problems I had come across with Twitter and the move to Instagram. Visually I never quite expected to develop clues quite as layered as I have. I had mostly intended the whole narrative to be more story based than the tag along, follow the trail kinda setup I have now.

But the more I think about it the more it makes sense.

Originally I placed Jonah’s Story as an Extension type of transmedia. The extension of the pre-existing SCP “Franchise”. I planned to create a story that built on the world so many other creators have come together to create. But doesn’t it make sense to give my story the ability to have its own franchise? Opening up my methods to more than just blog-like updates will give me more reach, more opportunity to dive down the Jonah rabbit hole, that's really exciting to me.

The story feature is the second and last step in the lifecycle of Jonah, given some time to figure out the SCP in the posts. Players are now able to interact with Jonah in the classic choose your own adventure style.shown in the examples below.

I’m here to spoil the current state of the ARG so miss this one if it’s something you want to figure out yourself. The Instagram can be found here.

However, below is the process I have developed to aid players in the story, which I do consider important.

Final Designs by Carol

Creative Process

To present our work we have decided to make a small book and a short demo. For the book everyone will contribute a little bit of text each. I got told to make the creative process so people can read of how we came with idea and how we are near to the final product.

Forming the Idea Week 1-2 :

We came together as a group  and brainstormed ideas. To make things easier we listed out issues that annoy us in Auckland . From that we had an issue of Transport in Auckland as well as the lack of people walking now because of cars and technology. Our idea formed that we want to make an app that would make walking an adventure, the purpose taking stress of Auckland Transport. Our core idea of the app is for people to experience what it means to be an Aucklander, people will walk and unlock key places, stories and routes. We came up with the idea of social platforms like Facebook to help our users share their stories and connect with others.

Researching (Finding Inspiration ) Week 2-4

Our next step was to look at apps that are similar to the one that we are about to make. All of us were inspired by Pokémon Go and the effect it had on our generation. We really liked how it encouraged people to walk around and find Pokémon. We had more inspirations like Jay Z Bibliography campaign where at each location that affected him in his story a part of the book would be there. People would then be able to share with their friends and family on social media and find out the true story behind that location.  These inspirations helped us in forming our app.

Prototyping (Photo Taking. Researching and Designing (Week 5-7)

We listed out the locations we decided to visit and take pictures of. Everyone agreed to two locations each. Once everyone had taken their pictures and written their stories as well as the research behind it we would then send it to our group member Iris for Designing a sketch of the location to make it original and unique. All of us really liked the designs for the locations as well as our peers from our in class presentations.

App Designing (Week 7-8)

We sent our stories, coupons and research on locations to Carol. Carol started to design the main pages of the app, she showed to us and we told here what we liked and what we could improve. Mostly we liked everything she designed. She had a demo has well to show which was then shown to see how it work.

Creating Social Platforms (Week 8) Other than Twitter we decided to make an account for our app. We made a Facebook Page, Instagram Page, A snap chat account, A Spotify and YouTube Channel. Our peers were really interested in how we would use Spotify. A lot of people listen to music so we felt that we could attract a lot of people our age by using Spotify. Iris sketched out the logos for the platforms to give the original touch.

Final Touches to Product (Week 9– 12)

Crit Session 

So we finally had our 2nd Crit Session for this semester. In this one we showed our designs of the locations and app to the class as well as the social platforms that we are going to implement. 

It went really well everyone really liked the designs that Carol and Iris made and were really excited of how we are going to implement spotify with our app cause its something really new. Clinton and Joseph said that we have done a lot work since we submitted our formal which is great. He was impressed at the work we have done and told us well done. 

Platforms that we are using

Below are Images of all the Social Platforms that we are using for our app to reach out to our target audience.

Facebook will be used to Link stories and playlists - Letting people ‘check in’  Instagram used for Sharing hints - Stories for ‘behind the scenes’, ’sneak peeks’ or links to articles 

Spotify to be used for Custom playlists for all locations - 

YouTube to have Documentary series with 3-5 min videos  - 

Using Snapchat for hints right now we are not too sure about snap-chat cause not many people use it compare to the others