CHAPTER 5

Building Gotham City

The Transmedia Story Experience

We’ve got strong characters. Fascinating stories that weave in and out of each other, giving our absorbers (and passive viewers) the choice of how deep into the story they go. But what’s the final element? What do all of these pieces add up to?

The last piece of the puzzle is the massive realization of “place.” We must create vibrant worlds in which our stories take place. The Island on Lost. Batman’s Gotham City. Twin Peaks. Pandora in Avatar. Hyrule in Legend of Zelda. We have to make our audience want to visit this place through story, and simultaneously give ourselves, as creatives, a sandbox in which to play.

Details, Details, Details …

When I explained transmedia to my grandfather ...

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