Links: Transmedia Adaptations of Classic Literature

I thought I would share some links to transmedia adaptations of classic stories across social media; whether or not this is the start of a trend in storytelling, transmedia seems like a fantastic means of introducing literature to YA audiences in particular. 

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Elizabeth Bennet of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is now Lizzie Bennet, a graduate vlogger creating videos in her bedroom and tweeting them to the world. She reenacts scenes through costume theatre and mimicking other characters until the delicate structure of her vlogging style (confined to her room, interruptions coming from only her sisters and close friend, Charlotte Lu) breaks and other characters begin to come in and learn what she is doing. This is an incredible independent adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that has received a lot of acclaim (cue a review from The Guardian), as well as an Emmy Award for interactive media achievement and over a million views online.

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Emma Approved

Based on Emma by Jane Austen, this is the follow-up to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries from Bernie Su and the rest of his team. Emma Woodhouse is an ambitious entrepreneur and lifestyle excellence coach (not sure what that means, but she makes you believe it). Mr Knightley is her business partner and Harriet Smith is her personal assistant, while the ensemble cast of Mr and Mrs Weston, Mr Elton, Frank Churchill, Jane Fairfax et al. from the book makes up her group of friends, business associates, clientele and possible future employees. Emma has an integrated fashion and lifestyle blog (which is good reading) that makes up a key part of the adaptation, in addition to her dedicated Pinterest and Twitter accounts.

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The Autobiography of Jane Eyre

This story, a modern Jane Eyre set in Canada, is an adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s novel (one of my favourite stories) that suffers from the fact that their Mr Rochester left before production wrapped. Jane works a live-in tutor for Adele Rochester, and eventually develops a friendship with her father (whose wife is … somewhere) after he returns home. To me, it does not feel as polished as the Pemberley Digital videos, but parts of it are compelling, and as an independent effort, I have nothing but respect for the writers and actors who decided to put this together. Transmedia is still such a new field and it will be interesting to see how it develops, particularly in conjunction with traditional and digital publishing.