Thursday 19 June 2014

Flight Paths - A Compelling Journey






In this digital fiction, Flight Paths, we are faced with six chapters that discuss the lives of two individuals who literally collide in the final chapters.

In the first episode or chapter, Yacob in Dubai, the narrative is beautifully documented and  uses contrasting colour tones with vibrant pops of yellow. This modern, stylized imagery allows for image simplification and added emphasis on the stark nature of the urban environment. Middle Eastern themed audio accompanies the visuals and limited text takes the viewer/ reader through the intricate skyline of Dubai. Blurred lines transfer the viewer from one scene to another. Wealth and poverty are prominent and this juxtaposition of the two enlightens the viewer to consider the social and societal situations of the city.




By using both images, text, and animation, the viewer is taken on a journey through the narrative being presented by the authors. This transliteracy approach engages the senses and invites the viewer/reader to progress through the storyline.





This digital fiction is successful as the narrative had strong resonance, and the visuals, audio, and animation added to the overall experience. We found that in some cases digital fiction overly depends on the visuals, audio, and animation and loses the overall intent of the narrative.  Flight Paths comments on society, wealth and poverty, the economy as well as the personal lives of two individuals. As a viewer/ reader, we invest in the characters and become involved in the snippets of their lives we are shown. We are also asked to compare and contrast lifestyles through simple visuals and text.  




- Tarra and Samantha 




6 comments:

  1. I really love the photo/graphic visuals used in these stories.

    I also agree with the point that, "This digital fiction is successful as the narrative had strong resonance, and the visuals, audio, and animation added to the overall experience."...an appropriate combination to effectively relay the story.

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  2. I will be going back to experience flightpaths.net based upon the review above.

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  3. This is a beautifully written piece with an adept and deep analysis of the topic matter. The visual nature of the blog post captures the sentiment of 'Flight Paths' well and lends excellent texture to the piece.

    Well done ladies, I quite enjoyed it.

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  4. I agree that Flight Paths uses great modality in taking us through the story of Yacob. I prefer the later chapters when the two worlds collide. The visuals with the sky and car made the imminent collision unavoidable. My transliterary skills were able to adsorb the sights and sounds of Dubai and then the Uk to understand the idea that in today's world we are more connected and therefore more aware of the contrast in lifestyle and culture. I like your take on the Flight Path digital work.

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  5. I agree that the strong visual style of this piece. I find that the use of stark contrasting colors and slightly stylized imagery adds a real urban vibe to the story.

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  6. Tarra and Samantha provide an accurate portrayal of successful digital fiction as revealed in Flight Paths.

    A variety of multi-modal factors enhanced the storyline, character development, tone, etc. I found the soundtrack, in particular, reflected location and culture very well.

    Text, sound, and strong graphics also create a connection with the main character and the socio-economic challenges Yacub faces and his life in Pakistan.

    Well done!

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