Why Hollywood Needs More Experience Designers

April 23, 2013 Tech/Entertainment No comments

(Originally posted at Transmedia Coalition)

screensIt’s 2013, and Second Screen is all around us, touted as the Next Big Thing. All of the major broadcast networks seem to have some sort of second screen sync app now, by which you can get “extra” content on your smartphone or tablet while you’re watching your favorite shows. CBS, Fox, ABC, NBC, SyFy, AMC… Sounds pretty cool, right?

But try out one of these apps, and it becomes apparent that they’re a solution in search of a problem. It seems like the main uses seem to be leveraging social media (JOIN THE CONVERSATION!), polls, trivia, links to actors’ IMDB pages, and, puzzlingly, behind-the-scenes videos (am I supposed to pause the main screen while I watch these?)

IntoNow's Iron Chef Sync App

IntoNow’s Iron Chef Sync App

Who actually uses these apps once they’ve tried them out? Nobody is revealing actual numbers, although the metrics that do leak out aren’t all that great. A recent second screen initiative for The Next Iron Chef: Redemption was only used by a maximum of 3,000 people each week for eight weeks, according to Channing Dawson, a senior advisor of Scripps Networks Interactive.

Could this be because the content is…just not that fun? At present, there’s plenty of awesome syncing and transmedia technology out there, providing fresh, pristine canvases on which to paint, but everybody’s struggling with not only what to paint on them, but how to effectively go about developing the paint itself. According to Sherry Brennan, senior vice president of sales strategy and development for Fox Networks, “We’re all convinced that second screen is here to stay…The question is, what do you do on second screens? What do consumers want there? That’s what’s evolving.”

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My Insta-ARG Experiment

July 9, 2012 ARG 5 comments

Calling all puppetmasters!

Because it’s summer and I really miss making ARGs, I thought I’d try something a little different. It’s the world’s FIRST completely open source, crowd sourced, instant ARG. All I’ve done is create a seed that I’ve planted. It’s your job to germinate it, and make it grow in a true viral sense.

Let’s together see how far we can get this to spread, shall we?

So you are a puppet master, or want to be a puppet master. Well now’s your chance. Take this idea and run with it, however you want. Make a tumblr, build a forum, build a website (I didn’t register a specific name on purpose) create a facebook page, Instagram it, Pinterest it, whatever you want. Make a logo, create a blog, a YouTube channel, a Twitter account. TELL YOUR STORY. But whatever you do, it must live in the fictional world of the ARG.

What kind of world is this? It’s a world just like our own, but with one very important difference. We’ve run out of helium.

Yep, it’s the World Without Helium ARG.

So, the ball is yours to run with. Let’s show the world what sort of awesome thing we, as a world-wide community of ARG and Transmedia enthusiasts/practitioners can accomplish.

I want to see how big something can grow from a single seed, so here’s the single, simple rabbithole: http://twitter.com/WWOHelium. Follow it, use the hashtag to spread the word about what you’re up to. Be creative, innovative, virally spreadable, use every trick you know…and most of all, HAVE FUN. I expect tons of awesome. :)

Here’s the only rule: The finale is August 31st, 2012.

Let’s see where we can take this thing.

And here…we…GO!

Note: This an homage/spoof of the excellent World Without Oil ARG, and is in no way meant to disparage it or appear to be affiliated with it. 

My Musical Flash Mob Challenge

May 10, 2012 Creativity, Personal 2 comments

OK, so…..

First off, stop everything you’re doing and watch this video. I’ll wait…

Pretty amazing and cool, right? So, this inspired me to challenge the internet, and the world, to a plussed version of this:

  • Where: On a commercial airliner
  • When: The moment the plane starts its takeoff roll at the end of the runway
  • What: Passengers break out their hidden (non-electronic) instruments and play the William Tell Overture as the plane ganes speed and finally takes off.

William Tell Overture (mp3)

Somebody, please make this happen! Youth bands, orchestras, etc! You gotta be flying somewhere this summer! Hide those piccolos and trumpets and violins under the seat in front of you and pull them out on cue! Surely it can’t be illegal to play a musical instrument on a plane, can it?

Or at the very least, it’d be just as much fun to somehow stealthily play the mp3 loudly during takeoff. Hmm, I might just try to figure out a way to do this myself and not get arrested for not turning off my electronics…

 

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