World building in transmedia practicesJulie Habib, Asli Dinc, Daisy Chan

CONSTRUCTION OF WORLD IN SCIENCE FICTION

Plot Characters Universe

MACRO CREATIONS OF FANTASY WORLD BUILDING

Temporal and metaphysical reality Close-ended and open-ended narrative

MICRO CREATIONS OF FANTASY WORLD BUILDING

Characters: People or Aliens Politics Technology Interactions (names; looks; jargons)

EXAMPLE 1- THE MARVEL AND DC UNIVERSES

Two of the largest examples of world building

shared fictional universe fictional world where the events of

superheroes take place

THE MARVEL UNIVERSE

Most well-known characters: Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men

THE DC UNIVERSE

well-known superheroes: Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman

A GOOD EXAMPLE BECAUSE…

World building = creating a fictional, imaginary world

Superheroes co-exist in a shared universe

First established in All Star Comics in 1940

Superman and Batman together on the front page

SIMILARITIES TO THE REAL WORLD

Both very similar to the real world

Most of the features of the real world, except for superheroes and supervillians

Fictional elements: very advanced technology

Real cities vs. fictional cities Spiderman – New York Batman - Gotham City Superman – Metropolis

Reflect and criticize aspects of life in larger cities

DEPICTION OF REAL-WORLD EVENTS

Similarities in the depiction of real-world events

reacted on September 11 Marvel superheroes often in NY Spiderman and other heroes

helping rescue workers after the attack

DC Universe: General zod as Osama BinLaden and the superman villian Lex Luthor as GeorgeW. Bush.

Fictional but clear parallels to the real-world.

EXAMPLE 2- HARRY POTTER

Great example of ‘World building’ Different setting used than our world

“Magic works”

INTRODUCING THE FICTIONAL WORLD

Set in both the real world and the fictional world Started in the real world King’s cross railway station

London

LIFESTYLE

Contains similair features of lifestyle to ‘real-world’

Differences...

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