iXmedia-- Associations

As if the sub-industry of Transmedia Entertainment wasn't tricky enough already, what's an aspiring transmedia professional to do when looking for professional associations to join when definition alone can't really be agreed upon by established organizations within entertainment. There's barely a  

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) defines transmedia narratives as: 

"a project or franchise consisting of three (or more) narrative storylines existing within the same fictional universe on any of the following platforms: Film, Television, Short Film, Broadband, Publishing, Comics, Animation, Mobile, Special Venues, DVD/Blu-Ray/CD_ROM, Narrative Commercial and Marketing rollouts, and other technologies that may or may not currently exist. It is NOT these extensions being repurposed material from one platform to be cut or repurposed to a different platform."  

cameron_grey_the neverending dreamer

Leaders of transmedia, such as Dr. Dena Christie, tend to have a bit of a struggle with this strict definition, mainly due to the three-count platform limitation. She rightfully says, that there have been and assuredly will continue to be projects that are created that certainly feel like a transmedia experience, but won't be classified as such due to this three platform requirement.

Why is this the case? 

Organizations positively NEED to be able to define the genre somehow in order for the producers of the content to qualify for recognition in the field or even in order to be able to receive grant money from an organization like the "The Tribeca Film Festival". Andrea Phillips, author of "A Creator's Guide to Transmedia Storytelling", says that the while the "definition has proven to be a moving target, making everything just a little more complicated…" in the present, it could "be decades before the dust actually settles." Ms. Phillips addresses the importance of flexibility in the definition, but also underscores the importance of having definitions simply due to the ramifications they can have to a producers career when they are finally able to put "PGA Transmedia Producer" on their résumé.

Even with the difficulties, we are on the cusp of a large shift in awareness towards interactive storytelling and interactive narratives know widely as "transmedia". The Tribeca Film Institute Interactive, SXSWi, TEDx, and transmedia Meetup groups, there have never been more ways to get noticed and get funded for your transmedia vision. Active groups on Facebook such as "ARGNet""Universe Creation 101" and "Storycode" enable interaction with other likeminded individuals, as well as allowing you to keep your fingers on the pulse of the industry.

In order to be able to qualify for membership in the PGA, there are a few things you need to have under your belt. Namely, a sponsor…someone who has firsthand experience with you and the content that you produce and a minimum of two broad domestic project releases. 

cameron_grey_hope for the sound awakening

The best thing to do is to CREATE CONTENT..point blank. Start making things, and market yourself unabashedly until finally somebody listens. Join active social media based communities filled with individuals who you can brainstorm, shoot ideas off of, and collaborate on projects with…then make something. Then keep making things until you're able to get some traction in the industry. 

While it may be that transmedia is emerging and nebulous right now, it's also a blessing. You really can't mess up, you can only gain from the experience and eventually, maybe you get that idea that turns out to be sticky and gathers a following. Andrea Phillips started out the exact same way, and after some very lean years freelance producing content she is now VERY established as an expert in the field, it took time and the willingness to fail, but her trials are beginning to pay off.