Constructing "Transmedia Storytelling" Competence and Its Market Value: A Study of Film Directors Transitioning to Series and Games
Abstract
This study investigates the construction of "transmedia storytelling" competence and its market value, focusing on film directors who transition into television series and game production. Against the backdrop of media convergence and IP-based competition, it addresses a critical gap in existing research, which seldom examines this phenomenon from the creator's perspective. Employing Henry Jenkins's worldmaking theory as a framework and utilizing case studies of the Detective Chinatown Universe, Joy of Life, Black Myth: Wukong, and Blossoms Shanghai, the analysis elucidates how directors evolve from "storytellers" into "world builders." The findings reveal that this transformation involves mastering three core competencies: constructing a unified yet open worldview, orchestrating differentiated narratives across distinct media, and adopting a producer's strategic vision for collaborative IP management. Successful navigation of this shift not only expands a director's artistic and commercial frontiers but also significantly enhances their personal brand equity and the long-term value of their intellectual properties. The study concludes with practical recommendations for directors seeking to make this transition and for the industry to foster an ecosystem conducive to sustainable, high-quality IP development.
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