Participation and Transmediality: Audience Influence on Web Series

Authors

  • Tomás Atarama-Rojas Universidad de Piura
  • Enrique Guerrero-Pérez Universidad de Navarra
  • Valeria Gerbolini

Keywords:

transmedia storytelling, interactivity, fiction, audience, series, participation, viewer engagement, social media, production, television

Abstract

Interactivity with users represents a key feature of transmedia storytelling. This research revolves around the way viewer engagement influences the content of an interactive Web series—namely, Si fueras tú. The series used a strategy based on social networks to encourage viewer participation in the decisions of the protagonist. Research uses a mixed study methodology that includes (1) an analysis of turning points, (2) an analysis of characters, (3) content analysis based on viewers’ comments on social media, and (4) in-depth interviews with project managers to illuminate the process of building the transmedia strategy. Findings confirm that audience participation influences the content of the fiction series, albeit in a limited way, with the main aim being to retain the audience as part of the marketing strategy.

Author Biographies

Tomás Atarama-Rojas, Universidad de Piura

Tomás Atarama-Rojas is a PhD student at University of Los Andes and an Associate Professor at the University of Piura in the department of communication studies. His doctoral research studies the relevance of audiences from a transmedia storytelling strategy perspective.

Enrique Guerrero-Pérez, Universidad de Navarra

Enrique Guerrero is Professor and assistant director of the Department of Film, TV and Digital Media (Cultura y Comunicación Audiovisual) at the University of Navarra. He holds a PhD in Audiovisual Communication -with distinction- for his thesis on the standardisation of the production process of entertainment TV shows. He has been visiting professor at the University of California Los Angeles (USA), Bournemouth University (United Kingdom), The University of Texas at Austin (USA) and the University of Piura (Peru). His research work focuses on the impact of technological innovation in the audiovisual industry, especially in the production standards of entertainment contents, projects development, audience viewing habits and their emotional responses. Besides, he is a member of the Spanish Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATV) and author of numerous articles, book chapters, and books.

Valeria Gerbolini

Valeria Gerbolini has a degree in Communications from the University of Piura (Peru). She is a transmedia producer at an advertising agency in Peru.

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Published

2020-06-09

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Section

Articles