cfp.english.upenn.edu

Transmedia: Storytelling and Beyond
31st January to 1st February 2013
Sydney, Australia

Narratives and interactive experiences developed across different media platforms—each of which contributes something unique and valuable to the whole—have become standard fixtures in the contemporary digital landscape. The term ‘transmedia storytelling’ has enjoyed particular currency within academic circles while the media industry speaks in terms of multiplatform experiences. Much has been written on the subject in the academic and industry press, though new technologies and the pressure to do something innovative with the digital medium mean that the idea and practice of transmedia are in flux. While the debate over what to call this phenomenon remains unresolved, there is no denying its profound impact on the relationship between media producers, audiences/users, digital content and the devices used to consume and produce it. Naming conventions remain a contentious issue, however, there is also a need to examine other aspects of this emerging industry to ensure its ongoing sustainability. This call for presentations represents an invitation to introduce, highlight or clarify key questions concerning issues such as models for benchmarking, techniques for user engagement, value measurement, pedagogy and curriculum design, and evaluative techniques for complex and dynamic user engagement. Transmedia is, by its very nature, an interdisciplinary enterprise that draws from fields such creative writing, IT, film, television, media studies, economics, public policy, creative design, and education. Thus, the  project seeks to create a space for critical engagement that is enriched by the participation of academics, industry professionals and other stakeholders, as well as audience/users from across the disciplinary spectrum.

We are delighted to launch the project in Sydney with 2 one-day events organised around separate, yet related themes. We therefore welcome proposals for presentations, papers and panels on the following topics:
 
Day One
 31st January 2013
~ (Re)Defining and understanding the meaning of transmedia/multiplatform production
~ Narrative/Aesthetic/Thematic analysis of transmedia/multiplatform experiences
~ Social networking trends and their impact on transmedia/multiplatform development
~ Technologies that drive transmedia/multiplatform consumption, production and the post-broadcast era as a whole
~ Innovation in transmedia/multiplatform production
~ The future of transmedia/multiplatform development, uses and engagement
~ Pedagogies and curriculum design for teaching transmedia/multiplatform
~ Cultural policy and the promotion of transmedia/multiplatform innovation
 
Day Two
 1st February 2013
~ Transmedia/multiplatform production business models
~ Studies of transmedia/multiplatform audiences
~ Defining and measuring audience/user engagement
~ Uses and limitations of web analytics; new approaches

Abstracts and proposals not exceeding 300 words should be submitted jointly to the Organising Chairs by Friday 19th October 2012. Submissions may be in Word, WordPerfect, or RTF formats with the following information and in this order: a) author (s), b) affiliation, c) email address, d) title of abstract, e) body of abstract.
E-mails should be entitled: TM1 Abstract Submission.
Please use plain text (Times Roman 12) and abstain from using footnotes and any special formatting, characters or emphasis (such as bold, italics or underline). We acknowledge receipt and answer to all paper proposals submitted. If you do not receive a reply from us in a week you should assume we did not receive your proposal; it might be lost in cyberspace! We suggest, then, to look for an alternative electronic route or resend.
 
Organising Chairs
Ann-Marie Cook, Deirdre Hynes and Debra Polson: ann-mariecook@inter-disciplinary.net

Rob Fisher
: tm1@inter-disciplinary.net

This event is part of Inter-Disciplinary.Net's Global Transmedia Research Initiative, whose aim is to bring together people from different disciplinary and professional backgrounds in an ongoing series of activities dedicated to generating dialogue and research on the many facets of transmedia production, reception and industrial sustainability.

All papers accepted for and presented at this conference are eligible for publication in an ISBN eBook. Selected papers may be invited to go forward for development into a themed ISBN hard copy volume and dedicated journal.

Please note: Since each day is a self-contained event, participants may opt to register for one or two days. We regret that as a not-for-profit network, Inter-Disciplinary.Net is not in a position to assist with conference travel or subsistence.

As part of a global Transmedia Research Initiative, this project brings together academics and industry professionals to explore issues and case studies around production, reception and industrial sustainability of transmedia/multiplatform experience

Enquiries: tm1@inter-disciplinary.net
Web address: http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/research/research-nexus/digital-nexus/...
Sponsored by: Inter-Disciplinary.Net