Transmedial Play: cognitive and cross-platform narrative

In a transmedial work the viewer/user/player (VUP) transforms the story via his or her own natural cognitive psychological abilities, and enables the Artwork to surpass medium. It is in transmedial play that the ultimate story agency, and decentralized authorship can be realized. Thus the VUP becomes the true producer of the Artwork. The Artist authored transmedia elements act a story guide for the inherently narratological nature of the human mind (see illustration) to become thought, both conscious and subconscious, in the imagination of the VUP. — Stephen E. Dinehart URL: http://narrativedesign.org/2008/05/transmedial-play-cognitive-and-cross-platform-narrative/
Also see: http://interactive.usc.edu/members/edinehart/archives/%20SED_ThesisPaper_V152.doc

Transmedia Storytelling 101

Transmedia storytelling represents a process where integral elements of a fiction get dispersed systematically across multiple delivery channels for the purpose of creating a unified and coordinated entertainment experience. Ideally, each medium makes it own unique contribution to the unfolding of the story. So, for example, in The Matrix franchise, key bits of information are conveyed through three live action films, a series of animated shorts, two collections of comic book stories, and several video games. There is no one single source or ur-text where one can turn to gain all of the information needed to comprehend the Matrix universe. — Henry Jenkins, Official Weblog : Confessions of an Aca-Fan
URL: http://www.henryjenkins.org/2007/03/transmedia_storytelling_101.html