Interactive documentary: What does it mean and why does it matter?

Aston, Judith

Abstract

Having just convened our fourth i-Docs symposium, it feels like an opportune moment to reflect on what is meant by ‘interactive documentary’ and why we at i-Docs have always seen it as a way of framing a set of possibilities, as opposed to being a specific medium, genre or platform. This seems prescient in light of the ‘immersive turn’ with interactive work starting to become more closely defined in response to it. At the heart of this is the current interest in emergent VR technology, a more specific medium or platform, within which more easily definable genres are likely to emerge. This is contributing to a rising interest in ‘experiential storytelling’ and ‘alternate realities’ and a potential re-framing of what is meant by interactivity.

• Other Type: Other
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2016
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: interactive documentary, documentary, documentary studies, interdisciplinary exchange,
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/912888
• Publisher URL: http://i-docs.org/2016/03/27/interactive-documentary-what-does-it-mean-and-why-does-it-matter/
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This blog post was my response to the i-Docs 2016 symposium and has been read by just under 9,000 people from all over the world since it's publication in April 2016. It provides a good overview of what i-Docs is all about and has helped to establish the field.