In this special episode of StoryForward, co-host Steve Peters talks with Joe Lidster, a television writer best known for his work on Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures and most recently, the online story content for the BBC series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.
They talk about the unique process behind the TV show, which, in true transmedia storytelling fashion, simultaneously spans your television screen, multiple websites and more.
J.C. chats with his friend Josh Viola, writer and creator of The Bane of Yoto, a compelling science-fiction / fantasy mashup narrative that’s currently unfolding on mobile devices as a free downloadable app.
In this conversation, Josh describes the creative roots of the Yoto storyworld, and its fascinating journey from novel to multimedia iOS app.
If you’re keen to learn how independent creators are taking advantage of emerging technologies such as the iPad to tell compelling never-before-seen stories, this episode is a must-listen.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Podcast: Interview with Josh Viola, Creator of "The Bane of Yoto" [ 32:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadThe most epic infographic in the history of the multiverse, created by ultracool transmedia pro Carrie Cutforth-Young, quoting a grumpy tweet I made today about infographics.
(Click the image for a larger version.)
I’ve been keen to contribute my storytelling skills to the video game industry for more than a year now, and during that time, I’ve met some incredibly talented folks in the business. One of them is narrative designer Jonathon Myers. Jonathon hails from a play- and screenwriting background, and presently works for Zynga Boston, as a Game Writer for its Indiana Jones Adventure World Facebook game.
I recently learned that Jonathon had participated in this year’s Global Game Jam, a worldwide celebration of video game creation. There, participants are given only a weekend to make a working video game based on a specific theme. It’s truly inspiring stuff, as is Jonathon’s co-creation (called Sleepwalking Backward), which you’ll soon learn about in this Creator Spotlight.
If you’re interested in video games or storytelling, consider this conversation with Jonathon Myers a must-read. A special thanks to Jonathon for making the time to chat!
–J.C.
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J.C. HUTCHINS: Before we dig into Sleepwalking Backward, let’s talk about your love of video games and game writing. What games, or game narratives, have made an impact on you over the years?
JONATHON MYERS: When I was young I loved the Zelda games and other titles that enabled me to feel like I was the hero of my own adventure story. And yet, something about those early NES games and RPGs like Final Fantasy were different in their story delivery when compared to novels or comics or movies. The interactivity and immersion better enabled me to pretend I was a participating character in a fictional world. As the story unfolded, I became an agent of action that had an effect on the world and a control over the outcomes.
Much later, I began to encounter games that focused directly on the power and possibilities of an interactive narrative experience. I played Passage by Jason Rohrer. In less than five minutes, I had a profound emotional experience from a very simple game. It enabled me to exist inside a simple sequence of events while my imagination pieced together a story during structured play.
While playing BioShock, I experienced a recognition and reversal as the protagonist of a classical story arc. I discovered that basic storytelling techniques could be applied to video game storytelling in refreshing, innovative ways. Continue Reading…
In this episode, Campfire partner and Chief Creative Officer Mike Monello gives us a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Blair Witch mythology and how to navigate the fine line between creative storytelling, marketing and clients. He also discusses “Dark Score Stories,” Campfire’s transmedia campaign that supported the release of Stephen King’s Bag of Bones.
Links from this show:
Tell us what you think of the show by giving co-host Steve Peters and I a shout at info at storyworldpodcast dot com!
In this special episode of StoryForward, co-host J.C. Hutchins chats with transmedia storyteller Jan Libby about her creative career, and her latest project, Snow Town.
Links from this show:
Jan Libby on Twitter
Snow Town’s Kickstarter Page
Lonely Girl 15
Sameees
Tell us what you think of the show by giving co-host Steve Peters and I a shout at info at storyworldpodcast dot com!
Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 001 - Jan Libby and Snow Town [ 15:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadHey, everybody! After a long hiatus from regular podcasting, I’m back to the digital airwaves as co-host of the ARGNetcast, a show that covers the transmedia storytelling space. I’ll be posting episodes of that show here in my podcast feed (unless folks pipe up and tell me not to). Tell me what you think of the show by giving co-host Steve Peters and I a shout at info at storyworldpodcast dot com!
Now, on to the episode’s show notes!
On this show, singer/songwriter Thomas Dolby joins hosts Steve Peters and JC Hutchins, as they discuss Science, pushing creativity forward through technology, and the unique game project he co-created for his latest album, The Map of the Floating City.
Links from this show:
Podcast: ARGNetcast, Episode 128 - Interview with Thomas Dolby [ 50:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Few writers have captured my imagination the way Jonathan Maberry has. His Joe Ledger novel series — which chronicles the adventures of the “Department of Military Sciences,” a secret government rapid response team that handles horrific technology-created terrors — has entertained and inspired me in countless ways.
Maberry’s horror fiction always bets big, the stakes are always high, and the payoffs always rock your socks. This dude can write.
When Maberry recently gave me a shout, eager to tell me (and you!) about his latest novel Dead of Night, I leaned in and listened good. I’ve never been much of a zombie fiction guy, but Maberry’s zombie fiction is smarter, meatier — and sometimes, just plain meaner — than most zombie stories out there. Maberry delivered the goods in his 2009 novel Patient Zero … and he’s done it again with Dead of Night.
This is a helluva good read — so good, in fact, that I asked Maberry if I might share an excerpt of it here via my blog. Maberry did me one better: He not only hooked us up with an excerpt; he agreed to an author Q&A, and tossed in access to seven Dead of Night bonus scenes. Hot damn, it’s Christmas all over again!
Maberry has been one of my favorite storytellers for years now, and Dead of Night didn’t disappoint. Let’s dig into my Q&A with Maberry, and afterward, I’ll provide links to that PDF excerpt of Dead of Night and a link to bonus material! Continue Reading…
