Mechanisms within cross media stories : An analytical framework combining cross media phenomena with storytelling elements

Abstract: Cross media is a still emerging research field and as we learn and adapt to using more devices it gets harder to define what cross media is. This paper studied two fields, cross media and storytelling in order to answer the question; which mechanisms are the bases of a cross media story? This was done by highlighting vital mechanisms within each field and used such mechanisms to construct a framework. The framework was then applied in a case study where productions with cross medial and interactive elements occur. The results of the case study show that the framework can be applied on productions to define its mechanisms and as such identify if the production is cross medial. Further the results show that the framework can give researchers and producers a quick overview of a cross media production and its mechanisms in order to identify needs in iteration.