Henry Jenkins defined transmedia storytelling as “a process where integral elements of a fiction get dispersed systematically across multiple delivery channels for the purpose of creating a unified and coordinated entertainment experience.” This is represented across several industries including literature, film, television and gaming. Jenkins suggests this concept reflects the economics of media consolidation, and proposes that spreading franchises across a variety of platforms boosts the entertainment market.
As a devoted novel-reading fan, it is often hard to adjust to the news that my favourite book is being re-created as a film. It some circumstances, such as Harry Potter and The Lord of The Rings, I was grateful for the ingenius results. Other attempts, such as The Mortal Instruments; City of Bones, lead to absolute devastation.
My remediation for this topic was inspired by the rather recent, and somewhat concerning news that The Lord of The Rings is now being developed into a television series. Alex Flood wrote, “Amazon Studios are the lucky lot who’ve been tasked with recreating J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary magic for the small screen, with the company signing a reported $250m rights contract in November 2017 with the author’s estate, publisher HarperCollins and New Line Cinema to produce a multi-season show for television.”
To say I am apprehensive to watch the new series is an understatement, but I am extremely curious to see how they re-create such an epic and innovative text. As such, my remediation is a very simple spin on the common “one does not simply…” meme.
The Lord of The Rings is becoming a tv series, WHAAAAAAT?! Just another example of trans media storytelling… #BCM112 pic.twitter.com/tzPFOObOaU
— Josie Adele (@Josie_Adele12) May 12, 2018
Waking up to the World 