Daniel Koo

                Multimedia differentiates itself from transmedia in that multimedia encompasses use of multiple forms of media, when it comes to transmedia is storytelling that utilizes multiple platforms. Take for example the now cancelled web series, “My Music,” by the Fine Bros. The show was hosted on their YouTube channel, “Fine Bros. Entertainment,” which is now primarily home to their “React” show. My Music never made it past its second season.

It Begins Again (MyMusic Episode #1)

                A quick synopsis on what the premise of, My Music, was. An up and coming company covering mostly music media is run by characters who refer to each other after their favorite genre of music. Indie, founder and CEO, Idol, social media manager, Techno and Dubstep, who book talent, Hip Hop, the head of marketing, etc. The comedy series advertised itself as taking place in a transmedia universe, complete with each character owning their own Facebook and Twitter accounts. The actors were always in character with each post, because although the show was narrative to its viewers, its characters were on a reality documentary show. This style was somewhat similar to the television series Modern Family.

                Transmedia played a large part on the show outside of the regular series. Characters would host news and interview segments known as “The Mosh,” on the YouTube channel. Questions and fan comments would be pulled straight off of the social media platforms they hosted in character, and were responded to in character. Sometimes Facebook and Twitter posts would contain images and screengrabs from episodes that had yet to be released, and would be accompanied by a comment or caption that would read something to the effect of, “I wonder what will happen?” This show is a great example of the utilization of transmedia, because while the show was out, YouTubers, the Fine Bros, had an entire crew working day and night to keep each individual character’s various social media pages updated. Sometimes characters would respond to user comments, and it helped to create a more immersive experience.

Superman (Left) & Batman (Right) (As if you didn't already know...)

                Multimedia is different because it sees one form of art translated into another. Book, to movie, to television series, to comic book, to a comic book that takes place in an alternate reality, and so on. In many cases these translations do not need to relate to one another. For one example, look at DC Comics. The name should be familiar to any and all readers this is the company that gave birth to Batman and Superman in the 1930’s, two characters that have endured to present day. Both Batman and Superman have been the subject of websites, movie franchises, and television series both animated and live action. However, most of these translations of the characters into the varying media

forms have little to no correlation with what came before. They’re all different versions of the same characters that tend to change secondary characters, time periods, and general feel.

                These opposing ends of the spectrum are what make transmedia and multimedia different.