INTERACTIVE CINEMA ON DVD IN THE DISCOURSE OF AUDIOVISUAL ART
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Published:
Aug 13, 2025
Abstract
This article examines interactive DVD cinema (late 1990s–mid-2000s) as an artistic phenomenon. Using art historical analysis, case studies, and comparison with the FMV format, the research explores its evolution within audiovisual and interactive media. Key results include identifying how DVD technology's capabilities (capacity, non-linear access) enabled the format, while remote control and DVD-Video limitations constrained interactivity design and aesthetics. A typology of interactive narrative strategies (nodal branching, parallel, labyrinth, environment-based) is proposed, and differences from FMV in technology, interactivity, narrative, and cultural positioning are highlighted. This study represents the first systematic art historical analysis of the format. It concludes that interactive DVDs were a unique, shortlived experimental stage influencing later interactive media. Future research directions involve in-depth case studies and digital preservation.
How to Cite
Poberailo, O. (2025). INTERACTIVE CINEMA ON DVD IN THE DISCOURSE OF AUDIOVISUAL ART. Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, (3), 96-104. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2025-3-12
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Keywords
interactive cinema, DVD, audiovisual art, interactivity, FMV, media history, narrative strategies, interactive storytelling
References
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2. Atkinson, S. (2007). The Versatility of Visualization: Delivering Interactive Feature Film Content on DVD. NEBULA: A Journal of Multidisciplinary Scholarship 4. http://nobleworld.biz/images/Atkinson.pdf
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14. Frame, J. D. (2012). The "omnis"text in nonlinear film discourses. [Dissertation: Doctor of philosophy]. Middle Tennessee State University. https://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/bitstreams/8b365750-b28d-4252-8ffc-ba4a56d8e412/download
15. Johnson, M., Anderson, D., Durkin, K., & Gross, K. (2007). High-definition DVD handbook: Producing for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc. McGraw-Hill.
16. Kent, S. L. (2001). The ultimate history of video games: From Pong to Pokemon and beyond. Three Rivers Press.
17. Koenitz, H. (2023). Understanding interactive digital narrative: Immersive expressions for a complex time. Routledge.
18. Krech, D. (Director). (2003). Scourge of worlds: A Dungeons & Dragons adventure [Film]. Creative Differences; Dan Krech Productions.
19. Lost Phee Film. (2014). Interactive–Late Fragment: An Interactive Film (of Study). Films of Study. https://lostfilms.wordpress.com/2014/04/05/late-fragment-an-interactive-film-of-study/
20. Marshall, D. (2001). Interactive DVD features. Cardiff University. https://users.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave.Marshall/Multimedia/node138.html
21. Melzer, A., Hasse, S., Jeskulke, O., Schön, I., & Herczeg, M. (2004). The Interactive and Multi-protagonist Film: A Hypermovie on DVD. Proceedings of the 2004 ACM SIGCHI International Conference on Advances in computer entertainment technology (pp. 268–277). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228790190_The_Interactive_and_Multi-protagonist_Film_A_Hypermovie_on_DVD
22. Murray, J. H. (1997). Hamlet on the Holodeck: The future of narrative in cyberspace. MIT Press.
23. Perron, B. (2008). Methodological questions in «interactive film studies». New Review of Film and Television Studies. № 6, Vol 2, 2008. 233–252. https://www.academia.edu/4188105/_2008_Methodological_questions_in_interactive_film_studies_journal_
24. Short, E. (2015). Tender Loving Care (Trilobyte). Emily Short's Interactive Storytelling. https://emshort.blog/2015/08/14/tender-loving-care-trilobyte/
25. TheGamer. (2020). 5 Worst FMV Games Of All Time (& 5 Best). https://www.thegamer.com/best-worst-fmv-full-motion-video-games
26. Therrien, C., & Raynaud, I. (2020). From dead-end to cutting edge: Using FMV design patterns to jumpstart a video revival. Game Studies, 20(4). https://gamestudies.org/2004/articles/therrienporembaray
27. Thies, W., Gaikwad, K., Paruthi, G., & Ittan, S. (2010). Interactive DVDs as a platform for education. Proceedings of the 4th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development (pp. 1–10). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/1926180.1926183 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228628486_Interactive_DVDs_as_a_platform_for_education
28. VICE. (2016). More Than Fuzzy Nostalgia, FMV Games Still Matter Today. https://www.vice.com/en/article/more-than-fuzzy-nostalgia-fmv-games-still-matter-today/
29. Wheeler, D. (Director). (1998). Tender loving care [Film]. Aftermath Media.
30. Wong, J. (Director). (2006). Final destination 3 [Film]. New Line Cinema; Hard Eight Pictures; Practical Pictures; Matinee Pictures; Zide/Perry Productions.
2. Atkinson, S. (2007). The Versatility of Visualization: Delivering Interactive Feature Film Content on DVD. NEBULA: A Journal of Multidisciplinary Scholarship 4. http://nobleworld.biz/images/Atkinson.pdf
3. Barlow, S. (2015). Her Story [Video game]. Sam Barlow.
4. Barlow, S. (2022). Immortality [Video game]. Half Mermaid Productions.
5. Canadian Film Centre. (n.d.). Late Fragment. CFC Creates. https://cfccreates.com/content-hub/late-fragment/
6. Cinematronics. (1983). Dragon's lair [Video game]. Cinematronics.
7. Cinematronics. (1984). Space ace [Video game]. Cinematronics.
8. Cloran, D., Doron, A., & Guez, M. (Directors). (2007). Late fragment [Film]. Canadian Film Centre; National Film Board of Canada.
9. Doucette, B. (Director). (2006). Choose your own adventure: The abominable snowman [Film]. Lean Forward Media; Mike Young Productions.
10. Evans, M. (Director). (2002). My little eye [Film]. Universal Pictures; StudioCanal; Working Title Films; WT2 Productions.
11. Crawford, C. (2004). Chris Crawford on interactive storytelling. New Riders.
12. Gansing, K. (2003). The Myth of Interactivity or the Interactive Myth?: Interactive Film as an Imaginary Genre. Proceedings of the Fifth International Digital Arts and Culture Conference, RMIT, Melbourne, 19–23 May. http://www.designersnotebook.com/Lectures/Challenge/challenge.htm
13. Hassapopoulou, M. (2024). Interactive cinema: The ambiguous ethics of media participation. University of Minnesota Press.
14. Frame, J. D. (2012). The "omnis"text in nonlinear film discourses. [Dissertation: Doctor of philosophy]. Middle Tennessee State University. https://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/bitstreams/8b365750-b28d-4252-8ffc-ba4a56d8e412/download
15. Johnson, M., Anderson, D., Durkin, K., & Gross, K. (2007). High-definition DVD handbook: Producing for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc. McGraw-Hill.
16. Kent, S. L. (2001). The ultimate history of video games: From Pong to Pokemon and beyond. Three Rivers Press.
17. Koenitz, H. (2023). Understanding interactive digital narrative: Immersive expressions for a complex time. Routledge.
18. Krech, D. (Director). (2003). Scourge of worlds: A Dungeons & Dragons adventure [Film]. Creative Differences; Dan Krech Productions.
19. Lost Phee Film. (2014). Interactive–Late Fragment: An Interactive Film (of Study). Films of Study. https://lostfilms.wordpress.com/2014/04/05/late-fragment-an-interactive-film-of-study/
20. Marshall, D. (2001). Interactive DVD features. Cardiff University. https://users.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave.Marshall/Multimedia/node138.html
21. Melzer, A., Hasse, S., Jeskulke, O., Schön, I., & Herczeg, M. (2004). The Interactive and Multi-protagonist Film: A Hypermovie on DVD. Proceedings of the 2004 ACM SIGCHI International Conference on Advances in computer entertainment technology (pp. 268–277). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228790190_The_Interactive_and_Multi-protagonist_Film_A_Hypermovie_on_DVD
22. Murray, J. H. (1997). Hamlet on the Holodeck: The future of narrative in cyberspace. MIT Press.
23. Perron, B. (2008). Methodological questions in «interactive film studies». New Review of Film and Television Studies. № 6, Vol 2, 2008. 233–252. https://www.academia.edu/4188105/_2008_Methodological_questions_in_interactive_film_studies_journal_
24. Short, E. (2015). Tender Loving Care (Trilobyte). Emily Short's Interactive Storytelling. https://emshort.blog/2015/08/14/tender-loving-care-trilobyte/
25. TheGamer. (2020). 5 Worst FMV Games Of All Time (& 5 Best). https://www.thegamer.com/best-worst-fmv-full-motion-video-games
26. Therrien, C., & Raynaud, I. (2020). From dead-end to cutting edge: Using FMV design patterns to jumpstart a video revival. Game Studies, 20(4). https://gamestudies.org/2004/articles/therrienporembaray
27. Thies, W., Gaikwad, K., Paruthi, G., & Ittan, S. (2010). Interactive DVDs as a platform for education. Proceedings of the 4th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development (pp. 1–10). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/1926180.1926183 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228628486_Interactive_DVDs_as_a_platform_for_education
28. VICE. (2016). More Than Fuzzy Nostalgia, FMV Games Still Matter Today. https://www.vice.com/en/article/more-than-fuzzy-nostalgia-fmv-games-still-matter-today/
29. Wheeler, D. (Director). (1998). Tender loving care [Film]. Aftermath Media.
30. Wong, J. (Director). (2006). Final destination 3 [Film]. New Line Cinema; Hard Eight Pictures; Practical Pictures; Matinee Pictures; Zide/Perry Productions.