Digital Media Cultures Literature Review

Our other assignment for Digital Media Cultures is to work in pairs to write a 1000 word literature review on a chosen subject we've looked at in the module. Me and my partner chose to look at Social Networking. We decided to look into this because it was something that interested us but we also felt there would be a lot of research already out their on this and so we could find a specific area to review.
We decided to look into Social Networking and Globalization, after a lot of research and reading, these are the 5 articles/book chapters we decided to use:

• Tales From Facebook. Miller, D. (Book Chapter)
• Case Study: Social Networking and self-identity. Hill, M. (Book Chapter)
• Music, Social Media and Global Mobility: MySpace, Facebook, YouTube. Mjos, O.J. (Journal Article)
• Social Networks and Globalization: Facebook, Youtube and the impact of online communities on France's protectionist policies. Warlaumont, G. Hazel. (Journal Article)
• The Globalization of Social Media. Hutton G, Fosdick M. (Journal Article) 

Applied Media Research Presentation

Our Prezi from the presentation, enjoy!

Writing Forums

One of the main things we wanted from our research was viewpoints from both the side of the audience and author. I therefore joined two creative writing sites and posted two separate threads on each to get feedback. Follow the links below to view the comments:

www.writingforums.com/writing-discussion/135842-storytelling.html
www.writingforums.com/writers-lounge/135843-storytelling.html
www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=59094
www.writingforums.org/showthread.php?t=59093

Beyond the Camera Reflection

Looking back over this module, there are so many things I wish I could do differently but I've already talked about them! What I haven't talked about it that I wish i'd taken more time to get to grips with some of the software, particularly Photoshop, I don't know what it is about that software but I seem to have a phobia when it comes to using it and it's hindering my work. Over the summer I really want to take the plunge and learn all about it. Positives though, through this module I discovered a talent for using Adobe Premier, not sure if it will ever come in handy but at least I know i'm quite good at using it! While I have struggled with this module at times, I think it's a necessity, software is a BIG part of the industry and you have to stop being a technophobe and get used to it! 

Applied Media Research - Control

One of the most interesting things we came across when looking into this, is the idea of the authors control and the audiences participation. View the diagram below:

It shows that the more an audience participates  the less control an author has on the story and it's structure, I personally view that as a bad thing, while I think it's good an audience can participate, if the integrity of the story is compromised, then it doesn't become a very good story!

Applied Media Research - Articles

Whilst looking into what was already available in terms of research on the subject, these are 4 links to different articles I cam across:

Around the Campfire - Closing the Gap between Storyteller and Audience
This article explores the change taking place within storytelling and asks should we go back to the 'campfire experience'

Perceptive Media
An article by the BBC explaining Perceptive Media and the role it can play in modern storytelling, also with a link to the ' Breaking Out' podcast.

Wearable Technology & Storytelling
This article looks at new technology and how it can tell a story. Including a wristband in Disneyland being trialed in which it narrates a story as you travel through the park.. It also lets the princesses 'recognise' the children by name, through the device transferring your name/information to an earpiece. Enhancing a child's experience of the Disney story.

Participatory Storytelling
A presentation on participatory storytelling from the CEO&Founder of Transmedia Storyteller Ltd.

Applied Media Research - Breaking Out

Whilst researching I came across a Research and Development experiment by the BBC into how to make storytelling more modern. The podcast called 'Breaking Out' is the same story for whoever listens to it, however the locations change based on where you are viewing from. For instance if you listen to this from Liverpool, landmarks such as the Albert Dock are mentioned. 
It's a nice, simple way to engage with the audience, whenever you hear something mentioned that you recognise or is relatable to you, you ears 'prick up' and you want to know why that's being talked about.. Well I do at least. So I thought this was a nice way to engage with an audience, even if I thought the story was a little dull!

Have a listen for yourself:

Future Broadcasts - Breaking Out

Applied Media Research - Interactive Videos

Something else I found during my research was interactive YouTube videos. Whats interesting about them is they allow the perfect platform for a story the audience can interact with, people create videos with multiple endings and the audience can choose which way the story goes then start again and choose a different path if you wish. I think this is a really clever idea, the author still gets to keep control of the story while the audience  can get involved, if only TV allowed for such a platform to exist!

Here's an example, what I like about this video is it's actually a viral campaign for 'Drop the Weapons' and shows what can happen when you make the wrong decisions:

If you want to view more, here's two links showing the 'best off' interactive videos:

http://mashable.com/2011/01/30/interactive-youtube-videos/

http://www.geekosystem.com/interactive-youtube-videos/