DIGITAL FICTION FACTORY

DIGITAL FICTION FACTORY

I attended the first of three presentations from a media industry spokesperson, who gave an informative overview of a creative organisation, the Digital Fiction Factory.

As part of the Applied Media Research module, Producer Digital, Ian Wareing provided the group with the following question, which will form part of my own group presentation to be submitted as an assignment at the end of the module.

The next two questions will be set over the next few weeks by representatives of Onteca and 9 lives media.  Stay tuned for posts relating to these.

So, What is Digital Fiction Factory?

DFF is a creative partnership between the BBC, Channel Four, Creative England and Conker Media (Lime Pictures).

The process with DFF always begins with the writer.  It is important that there is engagement across all available platforms in order to promote a deeper experience of the character and story - this includes TV, online, mobile and social media.

Some examples of this multi-platform storytelling is evident in the following:

TV, RADIO and FILM

BBCs Britain in a day (I talk more about this here and here)

This was a joint venture between Scott Free (brothers Ridley and the late Tony Scott) and the BBC.  It used crowd-sourced material to help paint a picture of life in Great Britain on 12th November 2011, and was inspired by the film Life in a day, (R. Scott 2010).

Participants in the project recorded and submitted their own unedited video content and uploaded this online for selection and perusal..  Although I personally missed out on submitting some of my own content, by the strange hand of fate I ended up being responsible for assisting with the selection and editing process for the BBC, along with a panel of student volunteers.  So I did manage to get involved after all :)

MILLION POUND DROP

This has been widely recognised as a groundbreaking use of social media integration with live mainstream TV.  The programme offers the capability to engage with the live TV game show and to also play along simultaneously with a mobile app, bringing a unique interactive element to the audience/user/player* (*delete as app.)

BEAR 71

Is an interactive, multiple award winning film showcased by the National Film Board of Canada.  This 20 minute film offers a unique non-linear online experience which runs behind a 'conventional' film (shot and edited using linear narrative methods).  There are sequences included in the film which are set to 'play' at measured intervals during the users interactive experience.  

The beginning and end of this documentary both appear to remain the same regardless of the choices the user makes but the intention is such that each individual user will have a bespoke viewing experience depending on the choices and clicks they make throughout the film.  OK, I've tried my best to explain it, but in order to do it justice, have a go yourself...