The recent trend for Transmedia is to adapt movie franchises into TV series (Rings of Power, Marvel shows, The Mandalorian), or to create spin-off content in various medium.
The concept of transmedia has been prevalent in the society for over a century. Initially this used to be limited to short stories and comic strips but in the developing world it has taken a more commercialised approach and has expanded to multiple mediums such as books to films, films to tv shows and their various merchandises. To video games and radio dramas just to name a few. Star Trek would be a very good example of this. After The tv series ended, the stories continued into an anthology of films, books and ever expanding tv series such as animated series and shorts. Such was the craze that people do cosplays and write their own fan fiction of the franchise. Much to this is partially due to the ever-evolving media and credit has to be given to online streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Paramount+ or be it Disney+. These modes of media have introduced a new generation of audience every time. Franchise such as DC, Marvel, Star Wars and doctor who are the top contenders.
But are these contents considered good Transmedia Storytelling?
If they did not sell, then the studios and production houses would stop making them. A very effective marketing strategy is the world building they do in these various spin offs and merchandises. Every iteration flaunts the idea that all these content interconnect and interact with each other, and they would all come together at the end. The viewer clearly buys into it. Whenever a new Star Trek media comes out, people rush so see it because they are afraid of missing out and not being able to catch up with the overall arc in the chapter.
Hence, I do not agree with this type of trans media as being good forms of storytelling. The key reason for the spin-offs being sub-par is the content has been mostly commercialized and when adapting in to different mediums it gets lost in translation. Another reason would be that they were not designed to co-exist with the source materials. Most of these contents were written after the original source has ended, and then the creators decided to add a backstory or sequel for a popular side character. They mostly serve as fan service.
Good Transmedia Storytelling should have consistent character development across the various media, and each medium should contribute to the story arc and the overall world-building.
To what extent does transmedia set limits and/or open up possibilities?
The stories mostly get lost in translation when translating to a different media, but then again, every media sets up its own limitations. One of the reasons would be is that we have transitioned into a franchise fatigue, as companies are milking the characters and stories. Most of the work have now become derivative and uninspiring. Most people would blame the budgets when transitioning into different mediums but I believe every story has a limit and after a while it starts to repeat itself. It is more or less the same story just being told in a different perspective. In an interview with Marvel Producer Nate Moore, he mentioned how Marvel never hires comic book writers or fans when adapting a film or tv show. The reason cited, is because they themselves have set the limit as opposed to hiring fairly unknown people, who get to bring their own flare to characters and stories.
There is no refuting that Transmedia as opens up limitless possibilities but have mostly become cash grabs for studios.
What would a transmedia version of your work look like?
If it was up to me, I would avoid going for a more transmedia route and would try that every story would be its own self-contained story, while the one next would honour the previous one. I think this method would keep the characters evergreen and the stories engaging.
References
Anon., n.d. Target Internet. [Online]
Available at: https://www.targetinternet.com/resources/transmedia-storytelling-in-2021
Irwin, M., 2022. ScreennRant. [Online]
Available at: https://screenrant.com/mcu-writers-marvel-comics-fans-no-explained/
Jenkins, H., 2007. Henry Jenkins. [Online]
Available at: http://henryjenkins.org/blog/2007/03/transmedia_storytelling_101.html
Jenkins, H., 2011. Henry Jenkins. [Online]
Available at: http://henryjenkins.org/blog/2011/08/defining_transmedia_further_re.html
Google Images Strar Trek Frannchise
Arsalan Awais 