Tampere University's Research On Star Wreck Community

Hang-A-Rounds and True Believers

Katri Lietsala, University of Tampere feat.

Atte Joutsen, Star Wreck Studios

The Success Story of

Star Wreck World’s first feature-length Internet film - Hollywood quality, 15 000€ budget

Collaborative production, free distribution - Utilizing the online Star Wreck community

Over 5 million downloads - Followed by huge, worldwide media attention

Commercial Success - Broadcast globally (Belgium, Japan, Finland, Italy…) - Merchandise success - DVD distribution deal with Universal Pictures

Research Participatory Economy and Beyond: Developing tools and processes for open and participatory knowledge creation and content production = Online survey, n=130 * 56 community members, 74 moviemakers

Star Wrecker profile • • • • • • • • • • •

Most-likely a male (87 %) and a Science Fiction fan (82 %) 20-30 years old (66 %), age did not have effect on openness online Either a full-time employee (32 %) or a full-time student (32 %) Mostly poor, earns 1 000 euros or less per month (50%) Eager to participate in voluntary work (81 %) Thinks participation was voluntary work (40 %) and not just a hobby (35 %) User of several web services (90 %) and utilizes several online user names (37 %) or acts with his actual name (31 %) Has information about himself on the net (98 %) Feels like at home on the net (95 %) Found more likely next to the computer than by the tv. Believes that there is the risk of misuse for personal data online (87%), but is still ready to tell more on the net about himself for strangers than would IRL (31,5 %)

Meeting new people? Star Wreckers heard about the project through their friends (44 %) and over half of the people who answered (50,8%) informed that they belong to a certain group in the community because they were already friends.

Roles Project manager 8 % / 6 people Member of the core team 5%/4

Active developer 5%/4 Occasional developer 11 % / 8

Discusser 8 % / 6, Passive Observer 22 %, 16 Corrector 3 % / 2, Consult 1 % / 1 Passerby (active) 22 % / 16, (passive) 15 % / 11 people

Why to participate? … it is fun for passing time … you always get something back from participation … i want to help others … i like to share my knowledge and skills with others … in my opinion, everyone should give something in return for the community

The least motivating …i want to earn money** …i had nothing else to do …i get better work opportunities by participating …i can get feedback about my own stuff …to get respect ** the least motivating first

Participatory economy

Thanks Atte Joutsen [email protected]

Katri Lietsala [email protected]