Video

Dexter and Transmedia – Part II

 

This is the second (and last) part of our Transmedia and Dexter informal “survey.” The first part is here and the original article about “Transmedia and the future of storytelling” can be found here. All the answers are unedited.

Question: Besides watching the series and eventually having a Dexter feature film, how else would you like to interact with the series/characters/plot?

• Dexter feel’s his killings are serving the justice that the police/law falls short of, therefore leaving a positive impact on society. Besides justice, there is also an economic impact. I wonder how much he is saving the tax payer money. Would be interesting to see the accounting balance sheet. One column that shows the convicted murderer going to prison and specific amount of $$ that it would cost to keep prove their guilt and keep them in prison, versus the second column that shows the cost in labor and materials (plastic wrap, trash bags, knife sharpening, boat fuel) it takes Dexter to kill and dump that same murderer off the coast of Miami. With that comparison it would be easy to see the “bargain” that Dexter is giving the public. (PC)

• I would love to see odd conversations between this two like Lynch used to do in Twin Peaks. (GD)

• I don’t really want to manipulate it myself. It could be cool to see outtakes/bloopers or hear the actors talking about their characters and how they react to the plot. I don’t want to interact with the characters or plot because that’s up to the writers to make that call. At least that’s what I feel. (EO)

• It would be interesting to know how they did some scenes and what technology they used in the creation of the shots and sets. Other than that, I love the suspense and the plot swings,  that’s the entertainment value of TV. (RN)

• I would like to have intel into various objects that are part of the series, eg. be able to read one of the characters notes from a crime scene od access files that are stored on Dexter’s computer. It may be irrelevant to the plot but may enable to experience characters more deeply. (DN)

• Since I live in the city he patrols, I would like to be part of an episode, maybe as a computer geek or concealed serial killer that has access to Dexter’s workplace. I want to hang out with Sergeant Batista, going out to Cuban places and mess around with Masuka. I would love to be part of the set as I watch with great trepidation as Dexter takes out the “trash.” (AL)

What about you? How would you interact with Dexter? Add your thoughts below.


Video

Dexter and Transmedia – Part I

 

Last week we wrote about Transmedia, and how the “gap” between our dig­i­tal and phys­i­cal worlds is now closing very quickly. As a fun experiment we reached several people with two questions regarding Transmedia and the super awesome Showtime show Dexter. We wanted to see how the current Dexter super fans would like to alter the show’s sto­ry­line, influ­enc­e the characters deci­sions or become a char­ac­ter them­selves. The answers are unedited. The second question/answers will be posted later this week. The conclusion? Read below to find out the answers to the first questions

Question: If you could change/modify/manipulate a Dexter episode using any media or technology what would you do?

• The show is based on the perspective of Dexter himself. When Dexter’s “thinking voice” speaks (his voice over), we are learning his purest true self and motivations. It would be interesting to have some episodes that have other characters have their own perspectives, and we hear their own inner voice in the show, and get to know their own absolute truth. I think it would help develop some other characters and make them feel a little less cliche overall. (PC)

• Dexter finds out that he has a homozygous twin. Dexter didn’t know about him because police, in order to protect this guy, changed name and state after the brutal murder of their mum. Like him, he’s a killer and at the same time a priest in a small village of Mormons. (GD)

• I don’t think I would want to change/modify/manipulate an episode of Dexter or anything else for that matter. When I watch tv, especially dramas and comedies, I like being able to relax and have a story told to me. I like not knowing what’s going to happen or have any control  over the eventual outcome. This is why I don’t like those contest reality shows where you can vote for people to win or watch people all the time on cameras, like Big Brother for example. If I am going to watch tv or a movie, I just want to sit back and let it happen. And I also want to watch it on a TV!! Not a computer, phone, iPad, tablet, etc… a real TV! (EO)

• I think audience participation shows that the script isn’t strong enough and the writers are looking for ideas, it’s their story, let them tell it. (RN)

• Experience “Dexter” episode like an interactive novel or a computer game, where reader/player is able to make decisions in behalf of the character and his choices develop the plot in one of few predefinied ways, creating the illusion of controlling how the story develops. (DM)

• I would like to have access via the Internet. I would select any episode and make it darker. I liked it better when Dexter felt nothing. He has become to “normal.” (AL)

What’s your take? Do you agree or disagree? Please add your comments below.