My group has divided responsibility for each medium of the project. I suggested the inclusion of an audio component so, naturally, I’m taking responsibility for it. This doesn’t mean that I’m expected to complete it by myself; rather, I’m in charge of making sure that it’s completed and allocating roles within it when needed. Audio is less demanding than film, so depending on her requirements I’ll be helping Jen. I’ll also be involved in the app and website, as much as Amy and Brontaë require me to be. We’ve divided responsibility in this way to ensure that every aspect is taken specific care of while also ensuring that one person isn’t stuck with a disproportionate work load.

I understand Pocket Museum to be a transmedia exploration of the life of John Mitchell Christie through an app, website, audio and visuals. It aims to be as immersive as possible, encouraging the audience to visit historical Melbourne and experience an augmented reality. Through images from the era and an audio component comprised of narration and soundscapes, the participant can explore the space and contrast the modern day with the world John Christie experienced. Online, the viewer can dive deeper in to this universe through a series of biopic websites centred around the escapades of the man. The accompanying website serves to collate all the information with a more linear approach, which the audience can use to supplement their real-world experience or enjoy on its own. Participants can cherry-pick elements of John Christie’s life that interest them in small, digestible packages, or they can fully immerse themselves in his history. If they’re curious about an element or have something interesting they’d like to share, they can engage with the community and us via our social media channels and hashtag, #johnmitchellchristie.

Ultimately, the project serves to both educate and entertain the public, engaging them in a way that an exhibition or walking tour could not. The seeming lack of interactivity is countered by our social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, which serves to foster community in the audience. Because he already exists, there’s a pre-existing universe with a wealth of information for this community to explore. It’s our aim that Pocket Museum will reach people who have an existing interest in the history of Melbourne, but go further to capture a wide-ranging audience who may find history dull through traditional storytelling methods. By opening up the city of Melbourne to the story, participants can dip in and out of the story at points that interest them and can make stronger connections with history by being in the space and therefore forging a link to their own lives. Perhaps a relevant spot is around the corner from the place they get coffee every morning or on the route to and from the train station. By using transmedia, and an easy-to-use app as its centrepiece, Pocket Museum aims to make the history of John Mitchell Christie accessible and engaging to a broad audience.