Are conspiracy theories somehow rooted in the truth?
Off the Record
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Services: Design research, art direction, audio design, web design, AR game design
Key achievements
• Created a modern storytelling device to further expand on honours thesis
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‘Off the Record’ is a fictional narrative podcast and alternate reality game (ARG) that explores the complex and blurred lines between conspiracy theories and fictional narratives. It teases out the complexities of consuming conspiracy theories as fictions, through a narrative that combines investigative, mystery and sci-fi tropes. The project plays on the idea that conspiracy theories are predominately spread on the internet.
Rationale
Conspiracy theories have existed for centuries as a way to drive paranoia and doubt; they are an extreme manifestation of distrust of the societies that conspiracy theorists live in. Although conspiracies can be real and contagious fears, there are many conspiracy readers, like myself, who consume conspiracy theories as fictional narratives for entertainment. These readers lack empathy or understanding that these theories can be a reality for those who believe them. Therefore, this project aims to investigate and critique ways that conspiracy theories are being ‘consumed’, especially within the virtual space where everything is easily shareable.
‘Off the Record’ teases out the complexities of consuming conspiracy theories as fictions, through a narrative that combines investigative, mystery and sci-fi tropes. This narrative is told through an audio podcast, with an accompanying ARG which invites listeners to further immerse themselves in the narrative. The project plays on the idea that conspiracy theories are predominately spread on the internet. While listeners can enjoy and play this gamified narrative online, it also critiques the idea that while these conspiracy theories may seem outlandish to some, they are rational to others, and thus we must acknowledge the tension between these two perceptions.
Fictional Narrative Podcast
The first part of the project was the creation of a fictional narrative podcast. A “fictional narrative podcast” is an audible drama that uses voice actors and other sound effects to create a series or narrative that is intriguing to others. In order to create this, I compiled all of my research and created characters, plots and worldbuilding to bring about a narrative that speaks to the dangers and fascination of conspiracy theories and fictional narratives.
The biggest challenge of creating the major section of the project was to create a plausible plot with a complex story including sci-fi and family drama elements, while also developing other aspects such as the scripts, character developments, all within 6-8 weeks.
Alternate Reality Game
An “alternate reality game”, or “ARG”, is an interactive, networked storytelling device that uses the internet and real world as a way to immerse players, or in this case, the listeners of the podcast, into a fictional narrative. Within this ARG, several sites are created for the project to bring the characters and particular plots to life, which would allow for listeners of the podcast to immerse themselves within the narrative. I have also created links to real life websites to further blur the lines between reality and the world that I have created.
Visual Branding
The final part of the project is the visual branding identity of the podcast. I envisioned this podcast to be published on public streaming sites such as Spotify, where many other podcasts and audio storytelling is being popularised.
