Ten Transmedia People - Spring 2012 Edition

Transmedia is a fascinating genre, as the imagination to quite an extent is the limit of how far you can go, how far you want to reach (well, imagination… and funds… and deadlines… and manpower…  and other annoying variables).

This in turn means that new examples of transmedia rise to the surface all the time. Reactions and comments, analysis and case studies abound, from a great number of creative and intelligent people. Next to creating, developing and producing myself – i.e. learning by doing – this is where I find I learn the most about transmedia; from brilliant people all around the world.

For anyone starting out in transmedia, I thought I’d compile a small list. Here are ten people you could do worse than following on Twitter, on blogs and anywhere you can find them, to be inspired and awed and kept abreast on what transmedia is and where it’s heading. These ten people don't necessarily overlap that much and would therefore be a good combined starting point for anyone looking to learn more about transmedia. The descriptions are purely from my own point of view, so I hope no one is offended.         

In no particular order, here they are, ten transmedia people, spring 2012 edition :) :

Christy Dena should be a household name for anyone in transmedia. Her transmedia PhD gives her quite a lot of cred in the area, cred that she manages very well. You can have the fortune of catching one of her talks at some point, you can get up-to-date stuff on Twitter, or read one of her insightsful posts somewhere. She’s also working on some interesting stuff, so you should definitely keep tabs on her.        

Brian Clark is a bit of an enigma, and offers a slightly different point of view on what transmedia is and what transmedia could and should be. We agree quite a lot when it comes to transmedia and finances, and you should definitely read a) his series over at Henry Jenkins’ blog on financing transmedia and b) this thread on Facebook; ”Reclaiming Transmedia Storyteller.” (not to mention his new one - "Transmedia is a lie")

Lina Srivastava is for me the person personifying Transmedia Activism. She’s worked with a host of companies, projects and people, from UNESCO to ”18 Days in Egypt”. To keep tabs on that which not necessarily touches on Hollywood, fiction, ARGs and so on, but rather social change through transmedia, Lina is the person I turn to.

Jeff Gomez can, like no one else, enthuse a whole room full of people with the possibilities transmedia storytelling can offer you. If you have the chance to hear him talk, I’d very much suggest you do that. Not only that, but his company Starlightrunner Entertainment is also one to keep your eyes on if you’re starting out in this field.

Simon Pulman has a great analytical mind, which he puts to very good use for the transmedia community over at Transmythology. He is good at keeping up-to-date on major and minor industry currents, especially in the US, and mirror them against the transmedia movement to see what implications they might have. Essential reading.

James Carter hails from the theatre world of New York, but brings this highly interesting world in touch with the world of transmedia over at his blog. Many interesting posts, especially for someone like me – I know television, I know web, I know print, I know mobile, I know radio… I do not, however, know theatre. As another platform for transmedia, I think I would have to know that area as well.

Rob Pratten has recently moved back to London to continue working on their flagship transmedia storytelling engine-of-sorts, Conducttr. Not only do they have a highly interesting product, Rob also frequently shares his slides and talks on everything transmedia, most with the – for me very important – sound financial foundation.

Andrea Phillips is a constant source of inspiration; she’s been involved in a lot of transmedia projects, and she’s obviously quite successful at it as well. The inspiration comes from her posts over at Deus Ex Machinatio, written from a ”been there and done that” POV, and in the near future from her upcoming book on developing and producing transmedia. She also holds good talks, so if you have the chance, go see her.

Scott Walker for me epitomes crowdsourcing content, building storyworld together with the audience, respecting your audience and communicate all these principles to practicioners in the field. He writes good stuff over at MetaScott, founded the site ”Shared Story Worlds”, co-founded Transmedia LA etc and so on. He’s also amazing at connecting people with each other. 

April Arrglington hosts the blog ”The Arrglington Jump”, and quite correctly describes herself as ”a Transmedia enthusiast” on her Twitter page. She is quite probably one of  the most energetic persons in the transmedia field when it comes to informing, reaching out and communicating. She’s also very much involved in the Transmedia LA meetup, so if you want to get info about transmedia, April would be one to keep tabs on.

There are, naturally, qute a few other people you would do well in following in one way or another – Mike Monello, Nicoletta Iacobacci, Karine Halpern, Tom Liljeholm, Paul Burke, Steve Peters, Sparrow Hall, Lucas J.W. Johnson, Ian Ginn, Jay Bushman, Lance Weiler, Jim Babb, Siobhan O'Flynn, Gary P Hayes, Nedra Weinreich, Nick DeMartino, Carrie Cuthforth-Young, Alison Norrington … they, and many others I've now forgotten to mention, all contribute a lot to the transmedia community. Look around, find the ones that talk to you the best, and start your search from there. Best of luck J.