This presentation was part of a panel called "Unlock the Power of Fans" at Transmedia Los Angeles monthly meetup in June, 2013 in which I discussed the new Theatrics.com collaborative storytelling platform. Here's more detail:
For an entertainment property nothing is more valuable… or dangerous! Transmedia strategies aim to engage with fans wherever they might gather, but "engage" means more than "tell a story" or "sell some merch".
To engage means to listen. It can even mean collaborating with the creative spark in fandom and bringing that back into the work.
This panel will explore the question of how to Unlock the Power of Fans with Nick DeMartino (Theatrics); Kris Longfield (Director of Fanthropology at Cimarron) and Jay Bushman (Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Welcome to Sanditon.)
From understanding what a fan wants to how they can become active members of the storytelling team, we'll dig deep into one of the most exciting areas of transmedia practice.
2. Story:
We talk, ask, comment, post, tweet.
We rate, rank, like, pin, tag, follow.
We add photos, sounds, visual effects & videos.
We earn points, badges, recognition, & fans.
And we expect to be heard.
4. Fans connect with story or brand by uploading
video & other content and connecting with
other fans via robust game-like activities
5. Why Theatrics?
Brands & storytellers
invite fan’s UGC into a
single social experience
with values that they
control.
Fans watch or deeply
engage with story &
brand by uploading
content as a
character.
6. Powers a story — or brand-based video experience
Drives deep fan engagement and UGC creation
Lets you guide the experience and manage users
No distractions or platform ‘noise’ for user
High degree of control for show creator
Direct communications with users
Download and edit user videos
Theatrics Advantages
7. A full featured interactive online video
storytelling platform
A new form of online video show or brand
experience where fans play a role
Storyteller or brand-manager directs the
story world they create
Audience watches or performs in a social,
immersive, & fun experience
Audience also earns game-like rewards
What is Theatrics?
8. Broadcast, cable & digital networks
Filmmakers, transmedia specialists
Publishers & authors
Game developers
Branded content/agencies
Web series/producers & vloggers
Super fans/ fan-fiction
Storytellers:
10. Get started with Show Creation Wizard
Shape the story as Personas (characters)
Invite audience to join the show
Manage calls-to-action, audience content
& more from a central Dashboard
Audience can watch as show unfolds, or
create a Persona & participate
Audience user experience is interactive,
social & gamified
Theatrics Features
18. Theatrics Open Beta Test
18
• Open a free account
• Create a show (premise)
• Invite your co-creators (audience)
• Guide their involvement
- Calls to Action, new videos
- Manage your audience
• Cross-linked across the web