We’re spending a fair bit of time over at our contentAI studios venture discussing and exploring technologies to better “extend” story and character from television screens over to so-called 2nd-screen apps (with a preference for mobile web over native; but that’s another story).
While there is a great uptake in interest to develop 2nd Screen apps – And, the ability to allow the audience to directly “chat” with characters is remarkable – Ultimately, as storytellers, the fly in the ointment is that these are conceived of as “after thoughts,” they are not inherent to the series, the characters or the story arcs. Doable? Sure.
But…
Getting back to our roots, we see the need to be developing television content that anticipates concurrent 2nd screen use…First.
Not as a gimmick. Not as “complementary.” But, as a tool within the storytelling itself, where the audience only understands the entirety of the first screen through their participation in the second screen.
Risky?
We don’t think so.
What are we working on?
Something special.
