RESEARCH & INTERACT

INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING

 

13/10/13

I was first introduced to web-based interactive storytelling when I encountered Leanne Allison and Jeremy Mendes' award-winning web documentary 'Bear 71' in 2011, during some of my level 4 modules.

After 'viewing' this piece, I immediately became interested in alternative forms of non-linear narrative.  As a potential media producer, it became apparent to me that such examples allow the notion of the 'passive audience' to become the 'interactive user'.

Bear 71 delivers narrative in such a way that enables the audience to interact with a desktop based map, which in turn allows them to select individual scenes or video clips.  The experience is delivered in a way that provides several different 'paths' for the audience to choose, whilst still enabling the narrative to unfold in its entirity.

The result is that there is potential for the same user to interact with the film on a number of different occasions, but each experience may be unique in its delivery.  Whilst the audience are given a choice of which scene they wish to view next, there are some established trigger points throughout the film which lead to specific scenes being played out.  For example if the user chose not to select a clip for themselves, a pre-determined sequence would be selected after a specified duration.  This enables the film's creators to ensure that the scenes they consider to be most important to the story are still viewed as they intended.    

My personal interest in Bear 71 led me to the National Film Board of Canada which provides further examples of interactivity in delivering media artefacts.  Further examples include Jason Gilmore and Alex Jansen's 'The next day' (2011).

The Next Day tells the story of four survivors of attempted suicide.  They recount their experiences in interview format but again, the audience or user has the option to choose which sequence to engage with.  Similarly, after a specific duration, if no sequence is selected one plays automatically and is pre-determined by the producer.

Further examples and inspiration to follow soon.  Watch this space...