Graduation Date
Summer 2024
Document Type
Project
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in English, emphasis in Applied English Studies
Committee Chair Name
Renee Byrd
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Lisa Tremain
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Disney adult, The Walt Disney Company, Transmedia storytelling, Convergence culture, Fandom, Fandom studies, Immersion, Moral ownership, Disney parks, The Haunted Media, Social media analysis, Discourse analysis, Social media, Henry Jenkins, Cult
Subject Categories
English
Abstract
Transmedia storytelling is the vehicle for narratives to become immersive to their audience through different modalities. The Walt Disney Company employs this form of storytelling by placing any one of its films in the context of attractions and live-action performances, or vice-versa, creating a convergent culture that will follow these products through every medium. This project views transmedia storytelling used by the Walt Disney Company as the reasoning for the Disney Adults' fandom interest in interacting with Disney products. Through the use of discourse analysis, and digital ethnography I will observe this relationship between the use of transmedia storytelling, fandom creation, and identity negotiation within the Disney Adult community. The field of Fandom Studies will allow me to demonstrate how effective or ineffective Disney’s transmedia use is concerning fandom in order to get to the core of this group’s interest as well as the social and physical effects that come with membership. By observing these relationships, I will reveal the direct link between transmedia storytelling to fandom development through moral ownership.
Citation Style
MLA
Recommended Citation
Spradley, Sara, "Disney adult or Disney cult?: observing the effects and perceptions of transmedia storytelling onto fandom" (2024). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 772.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/772
Included in
Literature in English, North America Commons, Other English Language and Literature Commons, Other Film and Media Studies Commons