Storytelling and Mobile Media:
Narratives for the mobile phone.
An exegesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Masters of Arts by Research (Animation and Interactive Media).
Dean Keep
School of Creative Media
Portfolio of Design and Social Context
RMIT University
August 2008
Table of contents Page
Declaration 1
Acknowledgements 2
Abstract 3
Introduction 4
1. Media convergence: a catalyst for emergent narrative forms 7
2. Narrative models for mobile phone content 16
3. Mobile narratives: reflections on practice 23
3.1 Micro-narratives: Experiments for the mobile screen 25
3.2 Video and Photomedia: Mobile phone as production tool 40
3.3 Future directions 58
4. Conclusion 60
Bibliography 66
Appendix 1: Guidelines for making mobile movies 75
Appendix 2: Order of Magnitude exhibition catalogue 77
List of Figures Page
Figure 1: Example of SMS message from Lips Project 160 8
Figure 2: Person using mobile tagging application on a discovery trail 13
Figure 3: Globaleyes Production Still 29
Figure 4: Heartfelt Production Still 32
Figure 5: User watching Heartfelt whilst rotating mobile phone 32
Figure 6: Velocity Production Still 34
Figure 7: Recovery Production Still 41
Figure 8: Example of self-portrait with text message 45
Figure 9: Arterial Blue, from Order of Magnitude Series 46
Figure 10: The Wait, from Order of Magnitude Series 47
Figure 11: Drift Production Still 48
Figure 12: Distillation of Memory Production Still 51
Figure 13: Spatial Threshold Production Still 55
Figure 14: Sketch of proposed Wishing Well project 58
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Declaration
I certify that except where due acknowledgement has been made, the work is
that of the author alone; the work has not been submitted previously, in whole or
in part, to qualify for any other academic award; the content of the exegesis has
been carried out since the official commencement date of the approved
research program; and, any editorial work, paid or unpaid, carried out by a third
party is acknowledged.
Dean Keep
20th August 2008
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Acknowledgements
Firstly, I would like to express my appreciation to my supervisor Marsha Berry
for her unwavering patience and assistance. Many thanks go to Simon Pockley
and Lyndal Jones for ongoing support and advice throughout the years. I would
also like to thank Alison Bicknell for taking the time to assist me during the
drafting stage of the exegesis.
I would also like to acknowledge the following people: Rhonda Smithies and the
A.I.M team for providing the opportunity to set forth on this research odyssey.
The Creative Media research team for all their help throughout the years and
Alison Bicknell for her guidance
Special thanks go to my family and friends for their tireless support and
willingness to listen everytime I said “I have almost finished my Masters”. I
would also like to thank Michael, Fiona, Brad, Leon and Alison for being there
when I needed them most. Thanks also to my partner Jeromie for his faith,
encouragement, and wisdom.
This exegesis is dedicated to the loving memory of my father Ross and my
sister Martine whose stories I shall always treasure.