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Genyu Zhang

Guy

Major Research Paper

Spearheaded by Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, A number of branching narratives in video form, a subset of Interactive Digital Narratives (IDN), emerged in recent years on streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube. The recent interactive programs on streaming platforms operate within the frame of point-and-click experiences described by limited autonomy as well as interactivity. They negotiate through the difficulties of developing interactive narrative experiences on streaming services primarily defined by passive viewing. Under these shared conditions, each of them, carrying a unique set of creative choices, provides a valuable way of understanding interactors’ response to the existing interactive titles, which in turn reflects the potential and challenges in this refreshing mix of video platforms and interactive titles. This research sets out to understand audience experiences through a content analysis of social media commentary.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts

Specialization

Content Creation, Digital Storytelling

Biography

Genyu completed his bachelor degree in 2020 with majors in Film Studies and Mathematics. In the past he has devoted most of his time to films and tvs, spending time directing, producing, and curating exhibitions. His areas of interest include television studies and non-fictional works. Out of passions for digital storytelling in general, he joins the MDM to further his explorations and practises in this field.

Why Digital Media?

I think the pandemic offered me an opportunity to take a step and look at what I have achieved with studying films so far. As a student, I spent a lot of time relating what I learned from Film Studies, being narrative analysis and creative experiences, to other forms of digital contents I enjoyed in in my life. Dots were connected and lines were drawn. Therefore, I was excited about the prospect of my knowledge and skills derived from filmmaking helping to create refreshing storytelling experiences in other ways. Joining the MDM was rather an easy call from this perspective.

Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genyu-zhang-7199b0125