BBC Learning Development

OVER THE BRIDGE

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The Idea

Over The Bridge is a technical trial that explores how video and interactive media can be distributed to a young audience on a cost free basis via Bluetooth. This trial project consists of a 40-piece drama delivered to mobile phones. The content is 'bluecast' from hubs at fixed locations. The audience collect content onto their phones in order to piece together the story.

The drama format plays on the sometimes arbitrary nature of Bluetooth technology. Participants won’t necessarily receive all the content and the order that it is received will vary from participant to participant. This feature aims to encourage participants to share content whilst provoking discussion in the real world around events in the story.

Bluetooth was chosen as the distribution technology because the target age group already use it as a way of sharing music and video files.

The Story

James, a teenage student is forced to move from his comfortable life in Westminster to one of the roughest schools in South London. James appears to fit in well but after a party that leads to allegations of assault, all isn’t as well as it seems. Forced to question events in the story and to challenge their own perceptions and prejudices, the audience will seek to find out the "truth".

The Trial(s)

In July 2009, Learning Development took to the streets of Bristol, or more specifically Fairfield School, for a 3-day trial of the project. Our focus group of 12 Year 9 students was tasked with critically examining the drama, both the content and the delivery mechanism as well as virally spreading the content around the school. Each student was assigned a role that observed, for example, character development and representation, conventions and rules of drama, production techniques and audience feedback. This work culminated in a presentation of their findings.

A further trial is planned for September 2009 which will have a different focus. The drama will be used as a basis for discussion in youth centres of themes such as individual action and the impact on others, different worlds, lives, people and coexistence, perception, interpretation and the notion of truth – further details will follow very soon.

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