Storytelling and mobile media: narratives for the mobile phone

Abstract

The mobile phone epitomises the ability of media convergence to promote a synthesis of multiple digital technologies within the body of one portable device. In order to develop a methodology for the design and production of mobile narratives, it is necessary to examine and identify factors that may influence the creative possibilities for artists working in mobile media. The mobile phone is a ubiquitous portable device capable of generating and displaying narrative content in the form of voice communications, text, images and video. It could be said that hybrid devices such as the mobile phone can create hybrid narratives. It is the aim of this exegesis to outline the theories, concepts and artistic practices that inform the design, production and display of narrative content that utilizes the potential of the mobile phone as a tool for storytelling. Over the course of this exegesis I will examine examples of media projects that exploit the creative potential of portable networked media devices. I will also look to contemporary narrative theory, in particular Mieke Bal’s theories on reframing and narrative gaps as a reference point for the design of my mobile phone narratives. A critical reflection on each of my narrative experiments that accompany this exegesis will outline the key concepts and creative strategies employed in the planning and production of my narrative experiments. This research is a contribution towards the existing body of research in the area of developing narratives for mobile media devices and will potentially act as a guide for future research