transmedia
Stories across multiple platforms
Transmedia describes storytelling that unfolds across multiple platforms—film, television, novels, video games, social media—with each medium contributing unique content rather than simply repeating the same story.
A transmedia franchise might reveal a character's backstory in a comic while the main narrative plays out on screen: The transmedia approach let fans explore the universe through games, podcasts, and interactive websites.
Constructing imaginary universes for fiction
- storyworldA narrative's imagined reality
- canonAccepted authoritative works
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- mythosBody of foundational legends
backstory · universe · continuity · characters · plotlines · arcs · episodes · installments
Process of approaching sameness
- integrationCombining into a whole
- multichannelUsing several separate pathways
- omnichannelIntegrated across all platforms
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
licensing · branding · merchandising · tie-in · crossover · distribution · syndication · touchpoints
Recorded moving imagery
- audioTransmitted sound content
- textWritten or printed words
- graphicsVisual design elements
- animationTechnique creating movement illusion
augmented-reality · haptic · digital · analog · podcast · webisode · comic · novel
Licensed business operation
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- IPProtected creations or addresses
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- licensingGranting official permission
showrunner · bible · pipeline · rollout · launch · coordination · assets · budget
Act of taking part
- immersionState of being submerged
- gamificationAdding play mechanics elsewhere
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
- choicesAvailable options to pick
collaboration · ARG · forums · quests · puzzles · avatars · multiplayer · streaming
worldbuilding
Constructing imaginary universes for fiction
- storyworldA narrative's imagined reality
- canonAccepted authoritative works
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
mythos · backstory · universe · continuity · characters · plotlines · arcs · episodes · installments · franchise
convergence
Process of approaching sameness
- integrationCombining into a whole
- multichannelUsing several separate pathways
- omnichannelIntegrated across all platforms
synergy · licensing · branding · merchandising · tie-in · crossover · distribution · syndication · touchpoints · ecosystem
video
Recorded moving imagery
animation · augmented-reality · haptic · digital · analog · podcast · webisode · comic · novel · game
franchise
Licensed business operation
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- IPProtected creations or addresses
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
licensing · showrunner · bible · pipeline · rollout · launch · coordination · assets · budget · scheduling
participation
Act of taking part
- immersionState of being submerged
- gamificationAdding play mechanics elsewhere
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
choices · collaboration · ARG · forums · quests · puzzles · avatars · multiplayer · streaming · co-creation
- contemporary storytellingpodcasts, streaming series, graphic novels, video games, fan fiction
- franchisesfranchise, Star Wars, franchising, franchises, franchisor
- adaptationsfilm adaptation, film adaptations, movie adaptation, TV adaptation, TV adaptations
- media studiesfilm studies, film theory, spectatorship, semiotics, image analysis
- ARGsrabbit hole, trailhead, puppet master, puppetmaster, in-game
- media theoryagenda setting, gatekeeping, framing, hypodermic needle, magic bullet
transmediaplatform-specific
Designed for one system
unimodal · siloed · standalone · isolated
medium, media, immediate, mediator, mediate, transmit, transmission, mediation, intermediate