Just browsing through FLYP media, there are many laws of interactive storytelling in play. A dynamic, flash based site like this definitely hits some of the higher points of effective storytelling, but there are immediate and noticeable faults as well.
This site definitely makes a first page promise. The line up of multi media ‘front page’s each feature their own stunning graphics and catchy headlines. This also acts as a great teaser to entice viewers to play the video/flash animation that is each piece.
Another strength of this site is that it seems to be how its tapped into passion groups. Right on the front page there are stories about little known art scene’s in New York. On the other hand, it is really a hinderance that there is way more flash on this site than actual readable, immediate news content. Very much a digital magazine, that requires you to follow its pace and let it take you to the news in its stories. On sites such as msnbc.com, news is delivered in a more immediate customizable way. Millions of options, news stories and tool bars are available to bring you quickly to what you’re looking for. FLYPMEdia seems to really require time from the viewer, and because the site is so well polished in terms of presentation and look, its demand for your complete attention is not so hard to follow *(unless you’re in a hurry)
A few things that seem to work for the site are:
1) the shelf life of its content. Big stories that don’t change over night. Also a lot of feature-type stories which also dont require updates.
2) The site gives its viewers something to do. Buttons to click, pages to sort through, etc. It doesn’t necessarily stand on its own as a data base, but its stories guide viewers through an interactive magazine, complete with a table of contents.
I did not encounter any raw video on this site, or public involvement in the way of polls or message boards. Comparing this site to hyperlocal news sites that exist, I would say that sites such as WindyCitizen.com and GapersBlock.com do a much better job of presenting a more immediate and citizen angle to stories. With the aid of local blogs and reader generated material routinely posted on the site, a less official version of an event or story seems to come more easily out of these sites. The FLYPMEdia site seems really distanced from its readers. Even their blogs (all three of them) are very generalized and not updated regularly.
There also seems to be no viral component, maps or (unique) big event coverage.
This is definitely not the site to frequent for in-depth, immediate or local news. Despite its beautiful flash video components, this site misses out on some big laws of interactive storytelling.
