Horror and Transmedia Storytelling: This House Has People In It
While I have slightly changed the topic of my research paper, I figured I would still post the link to the short film I discussed in my oral proposal: This House Has People In It.
THHPII debuted as part of Adult Swim’s “Infomercials” initiative, which is known to air some of the most experimental stuff on TV. I highly recommend checking it out!
Constructed as a series of surveillance-camera recordings of a seemingly ordinary family, THHPII takes place on the day of the family’s son’s birthday. His sister, however, begins to suffer from a bizarre condition.
The story spills beyond the confines of the video, however, and into a website for “AB Surveillance Solutions” that’s packed with hidden links, videos, text files, images, and audio recordings that further flesh out the story. One reviewer has found at least 2 hours worth of useful video files on the website, as well as an abundance of links and image and audio files.
While THHPII in undoubtedly creepy on its own as a short film, it becomes even more bizarre and disturbing as you dig through the transmedia materials. It is definitely worth the watch, and makes for an interesting case study on the immersive aspects of transmedia storytelling.