Dissertation Unit: Project Brief

For this unit, I will be writing a 9,000 word dissertation. My initial working title is:

"How has storytelling been affected by advances in technology and developments in audience viewing habits/platforms?"

The key words in which my research is based upon are storytelling, technology and platforms. In addition, my interests have brought me to global ecologies of production shaped by new platforms and technologies, and the impact of digital technology on film aesthetics. Digital production processes have opened up a whole range of possibilities to enable the creation of 'whole imaginative environments', which are familiar to the 'virtual' worlds in computer gaming. The quality of audiovisual imagery has improved dramatically, therefore, is there pressure for TV and film makers to meet these increasingly high standards of imaging to remain competitive?

I'm also interested in the expectations from a new generation of media audiences and their modes of consumption, and the impact this has for 'content creators' when considering distribution and the convergence of platforms. Within this, I'm looking at the accessibility of movie production technology for low-budget film makers and the platforms in which they use, such as 'virtual festivals' and YouTube, where expression and involvement is encouraged. Moving onto the benefits of new technology and experimentation for commercial industries, music videos and advertising agencies. 

Audience pleasures and narrative relationships have changed, it differs from the golden eras of television and film. There is far more flexibility, interactivity and user-generated content available. Narrative expectations have changed along with viewing habits.