Announcements

J.C.'s on the "View From Down Here" Podcast! /  by J.C. Hutchins

Folks, I wanted to tip you to an interview I recently did on the brand-new "View From Down Here" podcast, created by longtime 7th Son and podiobook fan Cobern Tweedel.

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Cobern, who has cerebral palsy, is a brilliant guy with a helluva story to tell. In this conversation on his inaugural podcast, he asks me gobs of great questions about my fiction — and about the ethical conversations my stories can spark. It's a great chat.

It also has me talking about a 7th Son sequel I'll eventually write, starring a character fans of the trilogy know as binary_fairy.  I can't tell you how much fun I had chatting with Cobern for his very first podcast!

You can listen to the episode via the embedded below. Be sure to check out Cobern's TalkShoe page for more episodes in the future! (TalkShoe registration required to access link.)

—J.C.

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 22 -- Chris Dahlen /  by J.C. Hutchins

In this special episode, co-host J.C. Hutchins chats with narrative designer Chris Dahlen about video game writing, transmedia storytelling and “Mark of the Ninja,” an XBox Live game that Dahlen recently wrote. If you’ve ever wanted to learn about the unique narrative opportunities and challenges found in creating video games, this interview is a great primer. Dahlen also shares his past experiences as a video game journalist and how they influenced the game stories he now writes.

The conversation takes a fascinating twist as Dahlen also shares his experiences as a transmedia storyteller. Dahlen helped craft a key component of the out-of-book experience for J.C.’s novel “Personal Effects: Dark Art.”: the online persona of character Rachael Webster. Dahlen discusses how writing Rachael became something more creatively rewarding than he ever expected. We also discuss lessons learned.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 21 -- Eric Huang /  by J.C. Hutchins

In this episode, we talk with Eric Huang of Penguin Books about the opportunities for transmedia storytelling in the book publishing world ... and beyond. Also joining us is Michael Andersen of ARGNet. Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 20 -- Felicia Day /  by J.C. Hutchins

In this special episode, co-host J.C. Hutchins chats with actor, writer, producer and entrepreneur Felicia Day. Day has starred in acclaimed TV series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Eureka, but is perhaps best known as the creator of the groundbreaking, award-winning comedy web series The Guild.  She also co-founded the Geek & Sundry YouTube channel, which debuted in April. During our conversation, Day shares her experiences creating transmedia-ready stories for The Guild, and the transmedia narratives she helped craft for BioWare’s Dragon Age video game storyworld.

The Guild’s sixth season debuts on the Geek & Sundry network on Oct. 2! Check it out!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 19 -- Ken Eklund /  by J.C. Hutchins

Hosts Steve Peters and J.C. Hutchins are joined by veteran game designer Ken Eklund, perhaps best known for designing the renowned serious ARG, World Without Oil in 2007. He talks with us about his current project, Ed Zed Omega. If you’re at all interested in ARGs in Education, you won’t want want to miss this in-depth discussion. Shlinks mentioned in this episode:

VIDEO: Transmedia Unboxing -- Yimmu Logistics Artifacts /  by J.C. Hutchins

Yesterday, I received a mysterious packet in the mail from the Interplanetary Union, an organization based in a location called "New Lyon City," on the planet Centauri. I've received some very strange packages in the past, but none with such a cool return address!

I filmed my experience of opening the envelope, and sharing some of its contents. That video is above; low resolution scans of some -- but not all -- of the documents are below. If you'd like to get as close to the experience as possible, DOWNLOAD THIS PDF, which features high resolution scans of the packet's complete contents.

You'll notice that I chronically mispronounce the words "logistics" and "Koatoa" in the video. My apologies. If you knew how nervous I become when talking on video, you'd be shocked that I could properly pronounce anything at all. :)

Enjoy the video, and a few low-res images below. Learn more about the Yimmu Logistics alternate reality game "We Are Earthborne" at the Unfiction forum thread. Also check out the "Oceanus" wiki for more info.

And remember: If you want high resolution scans of the complete collection of transmedia artifacts, download the PDF FOUND HERE.

Remember: If you want high resolution scans of the complete collection of transmedia artifacts, download the PDF FOUND HERE. Enjoy!

--J.C.

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 018 -- Alison Norrington, Liz Rosenthal & Tishna Molla /  by J.C. Hutchins

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In this episode, hosts Steve & J.C. talk with the organizers of two of the largest transmedia conferences of the year, both coming up in October: The StoryWorld Conferencein Los Angeles and Power to the Pixel in London. Find out all there is to know about these two amazing events as our guests Alison Norrington (StoryWorld), Liz Rosenthal and Tishna Molla (Power to the Pixel) fill us in on all the transmedia goodness they have planned.

Also, Michael Anderson from ARGNet joins us to fill us in on the latest happenings in the Alternate Reality Gaming world, including a cool new grassroots game.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 014 -- Evan Jones /  by J.C. Hutchins

In this special interview, Stitch Media’s Creative Director and Founder Evan Jones joins Steve and J.C. as they discuss the denial of two projects to qualify for an important Digital Tax Credit based on a seemingly defective definition of what interactivity actually is. The serious ramifications of this decision, along with the importance of practitioner input into the very definition of what they do, make this a very important episode that you can’t afford to miss. Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 013 -- Sean Stacey, Jonathan Waite & Michael Andersen /  by J.C. Hutchins

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We celebrate the 10th anniversary of ARG websites Unfiction and ARGNet in this history-packed episode. Guests Sean C. Stacey (Unfiction), Jonathan Waite and Michael Andersen (ARGNet) join Steve and J.C. and look back at the early days of Alternate Reality Games. In this retrospective, they talk about highlights of the past 10 years, where things have come, and what the future may hold.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 011 -- Gunther Sonnenfeld /  by J.C. Hutchins

New media expert Gunther Sonnenfeld has a meaty discussion with Steve and J.C. about the obstacles that have been preventing transmedia entertainment from going mainstream and what can and should be done to push through them. We also welcome back Michael Andersen (ARGNet) who talks about his recent experience at Story Hack: Beta.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: Interview with Karen Wehner & Lucas Johnson of "The Time Tribe" /  by J.C. Hutchins

In this conversation, J.C. chats with Karen Wehner and Lucas Johnson, co-founders of The Time Tribe, a transmedia experience designed to teach youngsters about world history. Combining video games, comics, real-world artifacts and more, the project aims to create an accessible, educational narrative that engages players in the media they love.

In addition to sharing The Time Tribe's creative and educational goals, Karen and Lucas express some of the financial realities of realizing such an ambitious independent project. If you're dazzled by their project, be sure to chip in to their recently-announced Kickstarter campaign!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 010 -- Jackie Turnure /  by J.C. Hutchins

Veteran transmedia producer Jackie Turnure (Fourth Wall Studios) joins J.C. and Steve in this jam-packed episode. Their discussion spans her past Alternate Reality Game projects for LOST, Flash Forward, Salt and more, and leads up to an in-depth conversation about Fourth Wall Studios’ just-released project, Dirty Work and their new transmedia platform, RIDES.

Jackie talks about what makes Dirty Work different, and the unique challenges that a transmedia entertainment studio faces.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 006 -- Jay Ferguson & Kate Sullivan /  by J.C. Hutchins

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In this jumbo-sized episode, hosts J.C Hutchins and Steve Peters spend some quality time with Jay Ferguson, the creator of the interactive thriller Guidestones, and Kate Sullivan of Candlemark & Gleam.

Jay talks about his recent real-time webseries Guidestones, and Kate and J.C. talk about how transmedia is affecting new models of publishing.

Links from this show:

Podcast: Interview with Jordan Weisman, on "Shadowrun Returns" /  by J.C. Hutchins

Today, J.C. brings you an exclusive interview with legendary transmedia creator and game designer Jordan Weisman. In his first audio interview on the topic, Jordan shares the news about a Kickstarter campaign to fund the development and release of Shadowrun Returns, a videogame that will bring players back to the ultra-imaginative RPG world of Shadowrun. Longtime players of paper-and-pen role playing games know Shadowrun well; in fact, the near future tech-meets-magic RPG setting remains a beloved storyworld for many gaming enthusiasts.

Here, Jordan shares stories about the beginnings of his RPG company FASA, the creation of Shadowrun in the 1980s, and the opportunity to "Kickstart" a new tablet & PC video game set in the Shadowrun world. Along the way, he describes the game itself, and the nuanced, multi-faceted play it will deliver.

It's a terrific talk with a true ultracreative in the transmedia and game industries, and a chance to support the creation of a cool story-driven video game!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Upcoming Presentations & Conferences! /  by J.C. Hutchins

I've been a busy bee this week, finalizing travel plans to several transmedia/game conferences in the upcoming weeks. Now that these engagements have been booked, I can share the news with you!

Multi-PlatFORUM 2012

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada March 27-28

Multi-PlatFORUM is a two-day networking and professional development event focusing on digital content creation from both creative and business perspectives. I'll be speaking about how transmedia storytelling can help companies achieve their financial and marketing objectives. I may also be on a multi-guest panel discussing transmedia.

Transmedia, Hollywood 3

Los Angeles, California April 6

Transmedia, Hollywood is a one-day public symposium exploring the role of transmedia franchises in today's entertainment industries. Academics and practitioners converge to share insights and best practices. I'll be an attendee.

PAX East

Boston, Massachusetts April 7

This legendary east coast convention is dedicated exclusively for gaming, created by the folks at Penny Arcade. I'll be speaking with transmedia superstars Jan Libby and Marie Lamb in a presentation called "Transmedia, Alternate Reality Games and Storytelling -- Why Players (and Creators) Should Care." We'll examine past attempts to expand game worlds beyond the screen, discuss what worked and what didn’t, and ponder the future of this kind of storytelling.

If you're attending any of these fine events, please come see me and say hi!

--J.C.

 

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 005 -- Christy Dena & Tom Salamon /  by J.C. Hutchins

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Hosts Steve Peters and J.C. Hutchins talk with Tom Salamon, the co-creator and writer of Accomplice, an ongoing live action/transmedia show with performances in New York, Los Angeles and London.

Also in this episode, J.C. talks with Christy Dena about the perception of value of artists who work in several media.

Links from this show:

Podcast: Interview with Kate Sullivan, of Candlemark & Gleam /  by J.C. Hutchins

Today, J.C. chats with Kate Sullivan, the mastermind of indie digital publisher Candlemark & Gleam. The company, which has been publishing books since 2010, pioneers the emerging digital publishing space, and often experiments with promotion and distribution. In this conversation, Kate shares the story behind Candlemark & Gleam, and dives deep on the innovative business and distribution model fueling the recent release of C&G's latest title Constellation Games, a sci-fi comedy novel written by Leonard Richardson.

It's a fun and fascinating look at the publishing marketplace, and how indie publishers are uniquely poised to move fast, bet smart, and win big.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 004 -- Michel Reilhac /  by J.C. Hutchins

Hosts Steve Peters and J.C. Hutchins have a fascinating chat with Michel Reilhac, who is the Executive Director of Arte France Cinéma and Director of Film Acquisitions for ARTE France. A passionate evangelist of Transmedia Storytelling, Michel shares his experiences pitching and producing projects in Europe, and talks about the changing transmedia landscape there. Links from this show:

Podcast: StoryForward, Episode 003 -- Joe Lidster /  by J.C. Hutchins

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.

Podcast: Interview with Josh Viola, Creator of "The Bane of Yoto" /  by J.C. Hutchins

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: