Objective: Show TV networks how to utilize the technologies in Second Life for marketing and advertising goals.
TV networks have recently started virtual worlds for some of their popular shows, specifically ones that attract a younger audience. For example CW’s Gossip Girl and MTV’s Laguna Beach. There is, however, speculation on whether or not these new investments in Second Life reached their objectives of receiving wide attention, attracting new users and, most importantly, broadening fan loyalty toward the shows. In this project, we would like to investigate several Second Life sites, and come up with recommendations to improve their functions. Our recommendation will come in the form of an ideal virtual world for a specific TV show. In this case, it will be for American Idol.
How
1. Locate some virtual worlds relating to TV shows, observe and evaluate them and try to identify some of their flaws. Also, check out the shows’ Web sites and see whether or not they enhance the virtual world experience. (Content Analysis).
2. Survey Second Life users on their TV usage and try to find out what would attract them to experience a virtual world for a TV show.
3. Implement the findings by building a virtual world for a popular TV show. My idea is to do one for American Idol. Some of things we can do include:
a. American idol parties where users can come in the virtual world and watch a live stream or an encore production of the show
b. A voting system in which users can vote for their favorite performers
c. A dance competition and the winner gets some Linden Dollars
d. Virtual auditions for the show?
e. Special footage from the show for Second Life users
f. American Idol shop with lots of free stuff
g. More ideas for this part to come based on the research collected from the content analysis and the surveys.
5 comments:
Ahh, I love it. I'm looking forward to getting this thing started on tuesday.
-Ryan
This is a good idea, but I want you to think about how you will collect data on this since it is on a private island (the Swamp). Perhaps you can create it based on your content analysis and then pitch it to the producers of American Idol?
Also, remember that as you are creating it the goal is not to create a replica of the TV show. Instead think about what can't happen in the TV show (ie. interaction with the stars, etc.) and try to include those aspects.
I might be a little more likely to sing my heart out in a VW!
I wonder if the headset equipment would do justice for any serious audition...
Very good idea.
As I mentioned in class, my suggestion is not to use the name American Idol for many reasons, the principal being that it narrows your choices and opportunities to pitch what part of your objective declares: "Our recommendation will come in the form of an ideal virtual world for a [specific] TV show. I would strike "specific".
Talent shows are as old as radio or television (and much older than that!) But in this legasleaze world I would probably stay away form the word "Idol". If you want to model closely to AI, you could probably use something like American Avatar, Global Avatar or something else.
If you can prototype an ideal model for a TV show that can attract a younger audience (or in fact any demographic that you choose) then you've got something going.
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