Jenkin’s “Convergence Culture” Chapter 3

Jenkin’s “Convergence Culture” Chapter 3: Searching for the Origami Unicorn

     Chapter 3 of Henry Jenkins deals with the phenomena created the Wachowski brothers' movie, The Matrix.  The Matrix trilogy challenged consumers to go behind the visuals on the screen and talk about their experience, coaxing viewers to look to websites, blogs, and other forms of media to explore the meaning to the question: What is The Matrix.?
     Jenkins describes The Matrix as transmedia storytelling; where the story is revealed through various media (film, television, novels, comics, web sites, blogs).  Each form of media, through their respective strengths, contributes to the story, but also must standalone for that consumer who may not have seen the movie, or not read the novel, etc.  As the consumer explores each medium, the particular story's dimensions are discovered, bringing depth and understanding behind the tale.  Although critics felt the Matrix sequels were incongruous and not self-contained, and that the Matrix games relied to heavily on the film instead of giving gamers new content, the avenues in storytelling the Wachowski brothers' delved into is a major influence for future storytellers.  Because transmedia is relatively new, careful navigation is required to ensure each waypoint of a story offers something new while simultaneously possessing solid foundation to introduce a new consumer to a new world of idea.