Transmedia Critical| What is the Cultural Function and Value of European Transmedia Independents?

Authors

  • Indrek Ibrus Tallinn University
  • Maarja Ojamaa University of Tartu, Estonia

Keywords:

transmedia production, innovation, micro-studios, oligopolies, political economy, semiotics

Abstract

This article first builds on the semiotics of culture approach and argues that the increasingly widespread transmedia practices may be valuable for contributing to the dynamics of how modern cultures are innovated. Transmedia practices facilitate inter-semiotic translations at all levels of cultures, which conditions increased dialogism and the feasible evolution of these cultures. In the second part of the article, we demonstrate that there are hindrances in the existing media systems that may prevent this potential being fulfilled. It is often argued that transmedia can empower micro-sized content providers to participate in such dialogues and in the production of culture. However, recent studies demonstrate that in a European context the transmedia era may instead enforce the oligopolistic structures of media markets.

Author Biographies

Indrek Ibrus, Tallinn University

PhD, senior researcher

Maarja Ojamaa, University of Tartu, Estonia

PhD candidate/LecturerDec 2013

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Published

2014-08-14

Issue

Section

Special Sections