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Embark with us and fandom studies expert Jonathan Gray as we explore the importance of paratexts in transmedia storytelling! 
 
Jonathan is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of Show Sold Separately.  His work examines how media entertainment and its audiences interact and examines how and where value and meaning are created.  A principal part of this research is found exploring paratexts; the secondary and tertiary texts produced by both the fandom and entertainment entity to support, hype, and contextualize the larger pieces of content.  Think the movie poster for a feature film, the fanfiction that focuses on a side character, and the action figure for a superhero.  
 
 Paratexts are incredibly important to the transmedia ecosystem, as it allows your audience to form initial and new opinions of the content your produce.  They refract messages to make new meanings and cause regenerative conversations between you and your audience.  Paratexts are often seen as marketing or fan obsessions, but in reality they have immense power create a living story world. 
 
 We spoke about what paratexts are and how to identify them and then examples of the power of paratext observing Superman and The Simpsons.  We also explored how the independent artist can use paratexts in their own work to reframe messages and drive interest into their larger projects.

If there is one episode you should listen to in this Story World Explorers season, make it this one!
 
 #transmedia #paratexts #fandomstudies   
 

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Embark with us and transmedia producer Chris Masson as we explore transmedia lessons learned from the rise and fall of the Unknown 9 story world! 

Chris was the Transmedia Architect of Reflector Entertainment’s Unknown 9 story world up until the world’s cancelation with less-then-ideal reception of the video game, Unknown 9: Awakening.  Unknown 9 was a pure transmedia franchise, with stories expanding from novels to podcasts. Chris’s responsibilities where that of a lore master, owning the transmedia bible and ensuring world continuity throughout the Unknown 9 story world.  

Chris experienced the dizzying highs and devastating lows of the Unknown 9 story world.  He knows what works and certainly what does not when it comes to transmedia in a large studio setting.  After reflection, Chris has compiled his thoughts and developed a studio focuses transmedia model to correct the mistakes and pitfalls that befell Unknown 9.

We spoke about what happened with Unknown 9 and the lessons that can be derived from it.  Chris shared pieces of his transmedia model for large studios looking to expand into transmedia storytelling.  Pulling it all together, we then discussed how independent artists can utilize these lessons learned as well with their own story world creations.

#transmedia #unknown9   

Introduction: (0:00)
Unknown 9 Transmedia Lessons: (4:24)
Studio Transmedia Model: (20:20)
How YOU can use this: (37:10)
Transmedia Timeline: (52:10)

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Embark with us and transmedia producers, storytellers, artists and creators Nick Jones, Richard Durham, and Bo Paterson as we explore the haunting, dark deco world of Farbodies! 

Farbodies: https://www.farbodies.com/

Urban Folkcore: https://www.farbodies.com/store/p/urbanfolkcorephysical

We are not safe. Farbodies is a pure transmedia franchise with a timelining beginning in antiquity and spanning to where the Novelle, Urban Folkcore, starts in the city of Ghostward, 1996.  Authoritarian propaganda floods the rain soaked streets of the city as residence, numb to reality, shuffle on with their days.  Unbeknownst to the population, a secret war between ancient factions is being waged for the rights to explore, control, and study the supernatural pouring into Earth.  

"For in the darkest corners of reality, evil creeps. Hoping to consume our world. The ancients knew of this truth. They developed rituals, talismans and systems of magic to protect humanity against the incomprehensible entities which gaze upon us with hungry eyes."  

We spoke about the artistic style of City of Ghostward, the ancient factions, and the hardcore music scene.  The Novelle is available for purchase July 14th 2025.

The DeLuca twins and the Hardcore Scene of Ghostward have some work to do!

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Embark with us and manga artist and creator Rizky Arrydesta as we explore the fantastical medieval empire of Indonesia through his comic book, Candala! 

Candala: https://toontube.co/project/candala

Candala is a riveting, vicious, and bloody manga taking place in the 13th century Majapahit Empire, where the Epic Ramayana is a part of real life. Following our protagonist Ayu, a young girl from the caste of Sudra (merchant) and her quest to avenge her sister.  While traveling on a routine journey, Ayu’s little sister was eaten and flayed by a Buto, a man-eating demon. Horrors filled her eyes as the demon turned into the shape of her little sister. Saved by the people of the caste of death-dealing warrior monk, “Candala”, she vowed to exact her revenge on the Buto who devoured her little sister. 

We spoke the Majapahit Empire, the caste system that ordered their society, and the importance of the Indus River Epic Ramayana had on their culture.  After setting the scene, we dove into Candala’s story, the world, and the future of the story world

Ayu is carving a path of revenge one Buto at a time!  Join us in the blood soaked islands of Indonesia!

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Embark with us and transmedia producer Maxwell Allen Duncan as we explore his story world The Time Realm through the first piece of transmedia content, the Knights of Mydista trading card game! 

Knights of Mydista: https://madaboutthis.media/knights-of-mydista/

This isn't your average trading card game; it's a portal to the world of Daer Lurra, where your victories the write history of a country named Mydista, and the characters you champion become the heroes of an ever-unfolding saga. Discover the six powerful factions locked in a dance of dominance and diplomacy, and become part of a story that transcends the table.

We spoke about the civil war and the factions & Adventures fighting for supremacy of a once untied Kingdom.  Most uniquely, Max intends on hosting annual tournaments that not only will host the premiere players of each faction, but pt them against each other to decide the fate of Mydista.  That’s right, the audience will decide major battle victories, who lives and dies, and ultimately the victor of the civil war!

The future transmedia outlets for Knight of Mydista are bright!  Join us!

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Join us and Author & Senior Narrative Designer Nick Jones as we discuss his book, The Player & the Pentacle!  Nick Jones is the Senior Narrative Designer at Shark Mob Games and expert infusing folklore in to story to develop vibrant and "lived-in" story worlds.

Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Player-Pentacle-Folkloric-Motifs-Narrative-ebook/dp/B09Q8G5CJY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2X496WSY2ZSA4&keywords=player+and+the+pentacle&qid=1688595733&s=books&sprefix=player+and+the+pentacle%2Cstripbooks%2C88&sr=1-1
Watch the episode on YouTube: 

The Player & the Pentacle is a book about Narrative Design and interactive storytelling, and how allowing greater levels of agency in your stories allows for your audience to get lost through collectivism and empathy. 

We dove deep into folklore and the concept of "folkloresque", the difference between a folktale, myth, and legend, and the concept of the magic circle.

It’s an educational, motivating, fantastic conversation!

#folkloresque #theplayerandthepentacle #narrativedesign #folklore #storyworld #storytelling #transmedia #collectivejourney #artists #creatives #worldbuilder #producers #indie #newconcepts #storyworldexplorers

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Join us and photographer Chris Guillen as we explore his story world of Modern Rosie!  Modern Rosie is based on the character of Rosie the Riveter, who was created for a recruitment campaign during WWII to attract women into the workforce.  

See the project here: https://chrisguillencreative.com/rosie
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_hUYd5vzjpw

Modern Rosies are female leaders from various backgrounds who are tireless ambassadors for their communities and industries.  The project has a social impact core, looking to elevate women and inspire the next generation of Rosies. 

From talking about our own Modern Rosie (Mom) to a an inspiring transmedia content idea, we talked through a transmedia plan to get Modern Rosie out to or people,  how the conversation of elevating women needs male support, and a mentorship program that can make a huge difference.  

It’s a great, enlightening, and encouraging conversation!

#modernrosie #rosietheriveter #photography #chrisguillen #storyworld #storytelling #transmedia #collectivejourney #artists #creatives #worldbuilder #producers #indie #newconcepts #storyworldexplorers

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Join us and transmedia producer Houston Howard as we explore the ever-expanding world of NFTs!  This is the second time we’ve had Houston on the podcast talking about transmedia and story worlds from an educational standpoint.  As it becomes more and more apparent that NFTs are becoming a new and exciting way to expand story worlds of all sizes, we felt we had to get an expert on to talk about it, and talk we did!

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Os8o7fAgDTg

From the metaverse to the undeniable value of digital assets and nonfungible tokens, we explored strategies of starting or integrating NFTs into your own story world coupled with real life stories of how people are employing them.  

It’s a great, enlightening, and encouraging conversation!

#houstonhoward #nft #nfts #nonfungibletokens #catalystfestival #CatalystFestival2021 #storyworld #storytelling #transmedia #collectivejourney #artists #creatives #worldbuilder #producers #indie #newconcepts #storyworldexplorers

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Join us, writer/creator Justin Burns, and actress Ireon Roach as we explore their story world of The Come Up!  Winner of best dramatic pilot and best dramatic actress at Catalyst Content Festival, The Come Up is a unique limited series following three Chicago high schoolers who use slam poetry to navigate their increasingly complicated lives. Inspired by the creator and cast's time going to high school together in Chicago Public Schools, this inspiring character study offers a glimpse into the mental states of teenagers struggling to find themselves in a city where it's easy to be lost.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1DSUHacpMYI 

The power of this story is in how this group of friends band together through tragedy, finding their strength in their voices through slam poetry.  We often forget the stress there is on a high schooler, especially one who is under constant threat of school closings, teacher walk outs, and other budgetary issues that have nothing to do with them.  As we dove into the world, we were able to identify mental health and communities in Chicago already engaged in slam poetry went hand in hand in building their audience.

 It was a great, Chicago-focused episode!

Follow them:

Socials: @thecomeupchi

#TheComeUp #CPS #highschool #drama #awardwinning #catalystfestival #CatalystFestival2021 #storyworld #storytelling #transmedia #collectivejourney #artists #creatives #worldbuilder #producers #indie #newconcepts #storyworldexplorers

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Join us and transmedia producer, Jeff Gomez as we explore the story world of Ultraman!  An IP that has existed since the 1960’s, Ultraman has gone through 3 generations with 16 total Ultraman reincarnations.  Ultraman is the Japanese Superman, hailing from Nebula M78, who defend humanity against a legion of destructive giant monsters and scheming aliens called Kaiju.  

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/akL0hZCHhvc

While we spoke on some of the lore and current storylines of Ultraman, we primarily focused on the backend of transmedia (Jeff Gomez doesn’t need our help with content) and all the great things his company, Starlight Runner, are doing to engage American audiences with an iconic Japanese IP.  They are developing an audience building platform, Iceberg Theory, that creates an interactive live streaming experience, which has grown their audience during the pandemic.  Soon to be available to all creators, the goal of the platform is to help creators build audiences with new IP. 

In addition to Ultraman and its transmedia workings, we spoke about how any story world needs to find its Apostles and the potential of the metaverse.

Take a listen with a notepad, you’ll want it!

#ultraman #jeffgomez #starlightrunner #icebergtheory #kaiju #storyworld #storytelling #transmedia #collectivejourney #artists #creatives #worldbuilder #producers #indie #newconcepts #storyworldexplorers

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