I tried this out yesterday, and I must say it’s an interesting experience.
For the uninitiated, "Bandersnatch" is a movie (actually, an extended TV episode) of the Black Mirror series on Netflix. It's unique in that it's a choose-your-own-adventure story in which, periodically, you are given choices to direct what the main character does next.
Because of the interactive technology used, it does not work on all devices. I watched "Bandersnatch" on my iPhone but noted that it was also available on my iMac. Quite a few TVs probably won't be able to show it, however.
The basic story takes place in the 1980s and involves a young video game developer whose already sucky life slowly starts to go seriously sideways.
Without giving too much away, I can tell you that it becomes a little bit weird when the story gets all meta and...well, that's as much as I should really say. That's the truly interesting part.
It's a good idea, and I doubt this is the last such program we'll see. And it brings up the following question: will all TV (and movies) be like this someday? Will we each be watching shows with so many variables and multiple endings that we'll be watching the same titles, but not exactly the same stories?
Personally, though the novelty of "Bandersnatch" is entertaining, I think I prefer a linear story, told the way the writer intended it to end.
But then again, if you like the concept but think the ending sucks, an interactive movie would give you the option of seeing it again, potentially improved (in your opinion).
I could even see a day when a lot of programs are like this, and they are offered with a "writer's cut" in which we are offered a linear version which is what the writer intended, but also an interactive version that takes you down alternative paths.
Or, this could just turn out to be a novelty. It'll be interesting to see what happens to this format of storytelling.
For the uninitiated, "Bandersnatch" is a movie (actually, an extended TV episode) of the Black Mirror series on Netflix. It's unique in that it's a choose-your-own-adventure story in which, periodically, you are given choices to direct what the main character does next.
Because of the interactive technology used, it does not work on all devices. I watched "Bandersnatch" on my iPhone but noted that it was also available on my iMac. Quite a few TVs probably won't be able to show it, however.
The basic story takes place in the 1980s and involves a young video game developer whose already sucky life slowly starts to go seriously sideways.
Without giving too much away, I can tell you that it becomes a little bit weird when the story gets all meta and...well, that's as much as I should really say. That's the truly interesting part.
It's a good idea, and I doubt this is the last such program we'll see. And it brings up the following question: will all TV (and movies) be like this someday? Will we each be watching shows with so many variables and multiple endings that we'll be watching the same titles, but not exactly the same stories?
Personally, though the novelty of "Bandersnatch" is entertaining, I think I prefer a linear story, told the way the writer intended it to end.
But then again, if you like the concept but think the ending sucks, an interactive movie would give you the option of seeing it again, potentially improved (in your opinion).
I could even see a day when a lot of programs are like this, and they are offered with a "writer's cut" in which we are offered a linear version which is what the writer intended, but also an interactive version that takes you down alternative paths.
Or, this could just turn out to be a novelty. It'll be interesting to see what happens to this format of storytelling.
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