Transmedia new literacies and collective participatory skills. Strategies for creative production and leisure management of star wars fans

Abstract

Introduction. In the current transmedia communication environment, active participation in the creation of content, information and messages is redefining the educational experience. This article analyzes the production of new transmedia literacies based on the collective participatory skills of a community of fans. Methodology. From an ethnographic perspective that combines online and offline participant observation, and in-depth interviews with founding members, the participatory practices of a Star Wars fan community are analyzed. Results. From the analysis carried out, two concepts emerge: Creative production and leisure management. The first concept refers to a type of production made by the fans that crosses the mediatic, virtual and face-to-face spheres of their practices, and the second refers to the fans´ strategies developed for the use of time and shared emotional culture. Discussions. this section discusses the proposal of six dimensions of new transmedia literacies in the light of the collective dimension of participation. Conclusions. Finally, we reflect on how collective participatory skills transform educational possibilities through transmediality.