Transcript of introduction

MEDIA INDUSTRIES REPORT PRESENTATION

Australian Children’s Digital Media

Good morning everyone and to our presentation on Australian Children’s Digital Media. Our research project aims to investigate the directions digital media content is taking in relation to children’s entertainment and educational content in Australia.

Our main research questions are:
 * What will content look like in the future of Australian children’s entertainment?
 * What opportunities does Kahootz and other multimedia ventures present for children’s media content and education?
 * How will transmedia storytelling improve user interactivity?

One thing that was interesting in terms of the process of our research is that we were initially researching on transmedia storytelling and how the Australian children’s entertainment industry are now using other platforms apart from television to extend children’s programs. So we looked at things such as ABC Kid’s TV Online which is a platform that incorporates elements of digital and transmedia storytelling for children.

However, we soon discovered throughout our research and discussions with industry professionals that transmedia storytelling is a part of this bigger digital media bubble and that there are other areas to consider. And so our investigation on digital media has led us to two distinct areas of study which we will be presenting to you all.

So the first area we will be looking at is how digital media content is empowering children to become active participants in the media that they are consuming; while also encouraging them to become their own storytellers and producers of media. So Steph will be explaining changing audience expectations in greater detail in this area.

In the second area we will be exploring the ways in which digital media is reshaping children’s content in Australia with a strong focus on multimedia and transmedia storytelling. Here, Steph Howden will be focusing on the new directions of digital media and narrative.

So before I hand you over to Steph, I just wanted to show you our Wiki we created. This is where we have put all the research and interview materials from today’s presentation so feel free to have a look around if you wanted to follow up on anything in our research.

I’ll hand you now to Steph who will take you through our first area of study.