After a few weeks of not knowing what on earth to do for this project, me and Sophie are just going to take a shot in the dark and hope its okay, after all the brief was not very specific on anything we initially had to focus on.
I have decided we should research into games to film, films to games and films/games to graphic novels. The Walking Dead is our primary choice, as it is spread across all three examples of narrative and media. The research is assigned as a group, but the presentation has to be unique and conducted individually. Sophie has chosen to present the Walking Dead graphic novel to game and I am doing TV series to Game. We are both going to cover two different styles of media adaptations and compare how each of them expresses the stories narrative through interactive, viewed and written media.
In my presentation I am going to talk about some of the following points:
I had a discussion with Sophie about the research and I cam eup with an idea for a question I am going to answer in my presentation.
As I am doing the TV Show to the game I was thinking what characters are in both interactive and visual media? So my question is:
How are the Characters in the World of 'The Walking Dead' TV Series Coherently Represented Compared to Those in the World of the Video Game, Through the Use of Transmedia Storytelling?
To answer this question I am going to talk about the characters in both the TV show and the game and compare them. I am also going to include some information about the narrative and Propps character theory.
http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/Category:The_Walking_Dead_Video_Game_Characters
http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(TV_Series)
http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Walking_Dead_Characters
http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/TV_Series_Characters
Now I have prepared a question in which my presentation is focusing on. I need to make sure I conduct research, which is RELEVANT to the question.
In the Walking Dead video game you play as Lee Everett. An ex convict who is on his way to prison when the police car driver hits a Walker (zombie) and crashes the car. Lee wakes up to find the police officer dead and the entire country gone to hell. His primary focus is to survive. He finds a young girl named Clementine and promises to stick by and protect her until they can find her parents.
Other character's in the game vary depending on how the player chooses to treat them. Each character is unique and can be killed off easily as the story progresses if the player chooses. The standard character list for The Walking Dead is as follows:
Looking at the character listing from the game. In comparison to the TV series, the game basically features and entire new character group, in which the player must get accustomed to. This reveals a whole new perspective for the player on how other survivors in the zombie infested world are living. It is a clever tactic to pull the audience away from characters and settings that they are used to, and throwing them into a whole new world of characters and settings, to see if changing the coherent narratives will keep them attached.
I have decided we should research into games to film, films to games and films/games to graphic novels. The Walking Dead is our primary choice, as it is spread across all three examples of narrative and media. The research is assigned as a group, but the presentation has to be unique and conducted individually. Sophie has chosen to present the Walking Dead graphic novel to game and I am doing TV series to Game. We are both going to cover two different styles of media adaptations and compare how each of them expresses the stories narrative through interactive, viewed and written media.
In my presentation I am going to talk about some of the following points:
- Character representation (relate able characters but look different. Why?)
- Locations (same narrative but different location, why is it done?)
- Art style (colour, visuals)
- Narrative flow (how does it differ to the TV Show? If any scenes are similar)
Definition
Transmedia storytelling is the aspect of telling a story across multiple platforms and formats. Each different method of storytelling uses different techniques to appeal to an audience who enjoy storytelling through that selected type of media platform. E.g. a graphic novel will tell the story through visuals, a game will tell it through the game play, music and character interactions and a film/tv show will tell it through characterization, character interactions, sound and visuals.
Thought Track and Theories
Some of this may look like gibber jabber but I am literally typing what comes to mind and expressing what I believe.
In graphic novels and books too I believe that their strategy for storytelling is to allow the audience to sink into a false reality and imagine that they are the characters in the story, and going through their situations themselves. In a graphic novel, it is a lot less imaginative, because all the images are there, giving the reader no imagination and having to accept what they see on the page, as of in a book its all about the readers imagination.
In a game or TV show the character's are purposely represented in way that the audience feels empathy for them, and also idolizes them. A good example of this would be if someone would relate an event in the game or Tv show to something that has happened to them in real life. Dressing up as that character is another good example. It shows that you respect that person, and wish to be them, making yourself believe that your life isn't as intriguing as theirs. I dressed up as Captain America at the last comic book convention I went to, as Captain America is one of my favorite comic book characters. Across the world there are a number of yearly events known as comic book conventions, or movie conventions. These events really bring to life the media world we live in. People come dressed up as their favorite characters from games, films, tv shows and comic books. Committed fans also act in character to who they are dressed as. It is a good example of transmedia storytelling in the physical form. People will see these people dressed up and think 'Hey! That's the guy from such and such!' Its also a good form of advertising, because people will perhaps see a character costume they like and want to know more about that character; What show does that character come from?
Vladimir Propps Theory
Vladimir Propps simple character role structure:
- The hero
- The dispatcher
- The villian
- The princess and her father
- The false hero
- The donor
- The helper
His theory is that each story it being visual or written based features at least all of the above within the narrative.
Propp and The Walking Dead
- The Hero - Rick
- The Dispatcher - The World (Zombies forcing him into a mission to survive)
- The Villian - Zombies
- The princess - Laurie (Ricks wife)
- The false hero - Shane (Ricks old work partner)
- The donor - Dale
- The helper - Glenn
I had a discussion with Sophie about the research and I cam eup with an idea for a question I am going to answer in my presentation.As I am doing the TV Show to the game I was thinking what characters are in both interactive and visual media? So my question is:
How are the Characters in the World of 'The Walking Dead' TV Series Coherently Represented Compared to Those in the World of the Video Game, Through the Use of Transmedia Storytelling?
To answer this question I am going to talk about the characters in both the TV show and the game and compare them. I am also going to include some information about the narrative and Propps character theory.
http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/Category:The_Walking_Dead_Video_Game_Characters
http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(TV_Series)
http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Walking_Dead_Characters
http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/TV_Series_Characters
Now I have prepared a question in which my presentation is focusing on. I need to make sure I conduct research, which is RELEVANT to the question.
In the Walking Dead video game you play as Lee Everett. An ex convict who is on his way to prison when the police car driver hits a Walker (zombie) and crashes the car. Lee wakes up to find the police officer dead and the entire country gone to hell. His primary focus is to survive. He finds a young girl named Clementine and promises to stick by and protect her until they can find her parents.
Other character's in the game vary depending on how the player chooses to treat them. Each character is unique and can be killed off easily as the story progresses if the player chooses. The standard character list for The Walking Dead is as follows:
The world in which these stories are set is a large a diverse one. It is our own. Characters can come from all walks of life and have their own personalities and morals. One of the main reasons why these worlds are still so coherent, even through lots of different media is the links they make to one another. For example, a player of the game could start reading the graphic novel and see a familiar character, they have already grown this emotional attachment to that character so they read on. It is the same for the TV show, characters and locations are mimicked in the game, and players feel like they can relate to these faces and areas.
Propps Theory in Relation to The Walking Dead:
- The Hero- Lee
- The False Hero- Andrew St John
- The Villain- Zombies, plus Bandits
- The Donor- Doug
- The Helper- Kenny
- The Dispatcher- The World, and Bandits
- The Princess (and her father)- Clementine
Looking at the character listing from the game. In comparison to the TV series, the game basically features and entire new character group, in which the player must get accustomed to. This reveals a whole new perspective for the player on how other survivors in the zombie infested world are living. It is a clever tactic to pull the audience away from characters and settings that they are used to, and throwing them into a whole new world of characters and settings, to see if changing the coherent narratives will keep them attached.
There is also another game in production set for release at the end of 2013. The new game yet to be released is a prelude, telling the story of Daryl and his older brother, Merle. Both characters star in the AMC TV series, which already makes it appealing to those who watch the TV series, making it relate able for the zombie survival audience. Very little is clear about the games narrative, as it has only just been announced.
The Game
The game is a 5 part series created by Tell Tale Games based solely on the Graphic Novel. Created in the same style, the thick lines and bold colours give the same feel as a comic. The game however follows the story of a new character called Lee, who, after being arrested finds himself in an apocalypse. He meets a young girl called Clementine. The narrative then follows these two characters as they group together with others to survive, while searching for Clementine's parents.The game has also been very popular with its story really strong along with its characters.
I looked back at my presentation and found that the question and the topic I am covering isn't very detailed and relevant to the brief. Instead I am going to also talk about the character's in the graphic novel, as they are pretty much the same to the TV series characters. the game has a couple of character's from the graphic novel and the TV series
but isn't as coherent, generating a better discussion.
A new presentation is in the works. But I am happy that I have something to go on.
In my new presentation I am discussing the coherent world of the TV series to the graphic novel. I am also referring to the video game as an example of transmedia storytelling.
Coherent means something that is consistent, realistic and believable and transmedia story telling is about expressing a narrative through different forms of media; in this case being platforms, in the form of a video game or a TV show.
The question I will be discussing is How are characters in the world of ‘The Walking Dead’
kept coherent through the use of transmedia storytelling, in relation to Propps
theory? To answer this question I will be talking about the
characters in ‘The Walking Dead’ universe found in the TV show, video game and
graphic novel. I will use reference to Vladimir Propps theory on character
stereotype in narrative structure. Each type of media has a unique feature, but
they all remain coherent in one way through the characters and transmedia
storytelling. The three types of format I will be talking
about are the TV show, the graphic novel and the video game. Firstly, I will talk about the TV series, and compare it to
the graphic novel. The TV show started back in 2009, and has become a massive
hit. The graphic novel however started back in 2003. The TV and graphic novel series is about a police officer named Rick, who wakes
from a coma in a zombie apocalyptic world, and now is on a mission to find his
family and gather any survivors he can. There are a number of the main characters found both in
the TV series and the graphic novel; Rick, Shane, Lori, Carl, Dale and Glenn. In relation to Propps theory, each character I mentioned
fits into one the 7 different character stereotypes.The hero, the villain, the false hero, the princess (and her
father), the dispatcher, the donor and the helper.
I will now talk about the character's from the TV show and the graphic novel in relation to Propps theory.
Rick is the hero of the series, as he is the character that first appears to do good for the best of every one. He is a character the audience/reader learns to love and respect. The zombies are villains through out the entire ‘Walking Dead’ universe as they are responsible for making the world into a man eat man, infectious hell. Shane is Ricks best friend. Before the apocalypse they worked together on the force. After Rick finds Shane, he finds that he has been doing more then looking after his wife and kid. He told them that Rick was dead and was sleeping with his wife. He remains determined to do good for the sake of Ricks wife and son, along with the rest of the group. Lori and Carl are the ‘Princess and father’. They are Rick’s wife and son. Carl is finding it difficult being brought up in the zombie infested world, always running off and getting into trouble for Rick to sort out. Lori having many secrets hidden from Rick needs his help to keep things together for the sake of Carl.
I will now talk about the character's from the TV show and the graphic novel in relation to Propps theory.
Rick is the hero of the series, as he is the character that first appears to do good for the best of every one. He is a character the audience/reader learns to love and respect. The zombies are villains through out the entire ‘Walking Dead’ universe as they are responsible for making the world into a man eat man, infectious hell. Shane is Ricks best friend. Before the apocalypse they worked together on the force. After Rick finds Shane, he finds that he has been doing more then looking after his wife and kid. He told them that Rick was dead and was sleeping with his wife. He remains determined to do good for the sake of Ricks wife and son, along with the rest of the group. Lori and Carl are the ‘Princess and father’. They are Rick’s wife and son. Carl is finding it difficult being brought up in the zombie infested world, always running off and getting into trouble for Rick to sort out. Lori having many secrets hidden from Rick needs his help to keep things together for the sake of Carl.
The need to survive is on the mind of every human in
the world, and is a primary thought in the world of ‘The Walking Dead’. It
keeps people on their toes, trying not to settle in one place for too long or
they will die. It is the key state of motivation for everybody. Dale is the oldest member of the group, making him the
wise one that everyone goes to, to talk about their problems. His donor
characteristic is more the man for nerve settling advice and tries to keep the
group at a level of realistic sanity.Glenn is the active, willing to do anything member of the
group. He is always enthusiastic about everything; he saves Rick early in the
series and is very knowledgeable about survival.
I will now talk about the characters in the 2012 ‘The
Walking Dead’ video game, made by Telltale Games. The video game is about Lee Everett, a man who has been
arrested and on his way to prison. During his journey the police car hits a
Walker, causing it to crash, killing the officer driving.
Lee wakes up by the car in a zombie infested world. He attempts to run and hide, instead, he finds a young girl called Clementine, who has been hiding. Lee is now on a mission to help Clementine find her parents and any other survivors. The video game strongly differs from the graphic novel and the TV show because the game allows players to choose who lives and dies. Main characters come and go, but the game remain focused on Clementine and Lee. I have also put together a list of characters that the player meets in the game.
Using Propps theory I will now place the game characters.
Lee is the hero. He is the character that you play as. Although he is an ex convict he is trying to prove himself a good guy by helping Clementine. He takes the role as a leader for the group made through the players choices. Throughout ‘The Walking Dead’ universe, the zombies remain the villain, obstructing the living from surviving, killing anything that is still alive. Andrew St John is the owner of a farm in Georgia. He invites Lee and his group to stay at the farm. Acting as the hero, Andrew claims that they are safe on his farm, but has different plans for them, for the sake of keeping his family alive. Cooking and eating them. Clementine is the damsel in distress, always needing to be rescued by Lee. On some occasions she does prove herself to be independent and a valuable asset to the group.
The need to survive remains the dispatcher in the zombie infested game world. On a personal level, the characters go through hardships every day, but remain strong for each other in the constant attempt to fight back and survive.Doug is the handyman of the group, helping Lee out by putting his mechanical mind to work, by fixing a radio for him to try and find more survivors. Kenny is one of Lee’s people of wisdom. They share each others advice for the sake of the group. In one instance, Kenny is like the secondary leader of the group, doing good no matter what.
Although the Telltale ‘Walking Dead’ video game followed the paths of different characters to the graphic novel and the TV series, it is still a valuable example of transmedia storytelling.
Lee wakes up by the car in a zombie infested world. He attempts to run and hide, instead, he finds a young girl called Clementine, who has been hiding. Lee is now on a mission to help Clementine find her parents and any other survivors. The video game strongly differs from the graphic novel and the TV show because the game allows players to choose who lives and dies. Main characters come and go, but the game remain focused on Clementine and Lee. I have also put together a list of characters that the player meets in the game.
Using Propps theory I will now place the game characters.
Lee is the hero. He is the character that you play as. Although he is an ex convict he is trying to prove himself a good guy by helping Clementine. He takes the role as a leader for the group made through the players choices. Throughout ‘The Walking Dead’ universe, the zombies remain the villain, obstructing the living from surviving, killing anything that is still alive. Andrew St John is the owner of a farm in Georgia. He invites Lee and his group to stay at the farm. Acting as the hero, Andrew claims that they are safe on his farm, but has different plans for them, for the sake of keeping his family alive. Cooking and eating them. Clementine is the damsel in distress, always needing to be rescued by Lee. On some occasions she does prove herself to be independent and a valuable asset to the group.
The need to survive remains the dispatcher in the zombie infested game world. On a personal level, the characters go through hardships every day, but remain strong for each other in the constant attempt to fight back and survive.Doug is the handyman of the group, helping Lee out by putting his mechanical mind to work, by fixing a radio for him to try and find more survivors. Kenny is one of Lee’s people of wisdom. They share each others advice for the sake of the group. In one instance, Kenny is like the secondary leader of the group, doing good no matter what.
Although the Telltale ‘Walking Dead’ video game followed the paths of different characters to the graphic novel and the TV series, it is still a valuable example of transmedia storytelling.
There are rumours of a new ‘Walking Dead’ video
game planned to be released late next year (2013). It follows the journey of
Daryl and his older brother Merle. It sets the scene for the beginning of the
zombie apocalypse and the journey they have before joining the group from the
first season of the TV series.
I looked at three different types of media in ‘the Walking Dead’ universe and found that they are all coherent in one way or another. All them have similar character structures in relation to Propps theory, have similar openings to the story, set in the same locations to the graphic novel and TV series and they are all primarily about the characters struggling to survive. All three types of media in ‘The Walking Dead’ universe be it written/drawn, interactive or pleasurable viewing, all have different intentions to how they want their audience to react. The graphic novel is intended to tell the story, the TV series is intended to wow the audience and provide them with a group of different characters that they can relate to through their characteristics. The video game is intended to give the audience a whole new interactive perspective, putting them in the thick of the zombie apocalypse and making them the decision makers on behalf of the survivors of the zombie wasteland. I also talked about three different types of transmedia storytelling in ‘The Walking Dead’ universe, using reference to Vladimir Propps character theory in narrative structure. Across the three platforms I talked about, the TV series and the graphic share strong similarities through the story, the characters and the settings. The game features coherent character profiles in relation to Propp, but provide a whole new batch of characters for its audience. In a sum up to my question... All the characters are kept coherent across different formats primarily through their characteristics, looks and their need to stay as a group and survive.
Slides
I looked at three different types of media in ‘the Walking Dead’ universe and found that they are all coherent in one way or another. All them have similar character structures in relation to Propps theory, have similar openings to the story, set in the same locations to the graphic novel and TV series and they are all primarily about the characters struggling to survive. All three types of media in ‘The Walking Dead’ universe be it written/drawn, interactive or pleasurable viewing, all have different intentions to how they want their audience to react. The graphic novel is intended to tell the story, the TV series is intended to wow the audience and provide them with a group of different characters that they can relate to through their characteristics. The video game is intended to give the audience a whole new interactive perspective, putting them in the thick of the zombie apocalypse and making them the decision makers on behalf of the survivors of the zombie wasteland. I also talked about three different types of transmedia storytelling in ‘The Walking Dead’ universe, using reference to Vladimir Propps character theory in narrative structure. Across the three platforms I talked about, the TV series and the graphic share strong similarities through the story, the characters and the settings. The game features coherent character profiles in relation to Propp, but provide a whole new batch of characters for its audience. In a sum up to my question... All the characters are kept coherent across different formats primarily through their characteristics, looks and their need to stay as a group and survive.
Slides
Posted 16th October by Drummerdude06
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