Monday, 29 November 2010
Quick feed back on my pitch
Its taken me a while to do this but thought I would give some thoughts on how my pitch went. Well I was certainly surprised to find that the board had no questions at the end, weather this is a good thing or not, time will tell. In my own opinion I think its a good thing, meaning there was nothing for me to clarify. I was well spoken, a little bit nervous but all in all, it went very smoothly. I think I got my idea across quite easily, though If I were to do it again I would perhaps do more image research and more in depth concepts.
Friday, 26 November 2010
Bringing my story to an end
Well the best way to bring this blog to a finish I think would be to answer the questions that started my study.
What is a coherent world?
Well I think I've explained that in depth already
How do I make one?
To summarize what my understanding is. To make a coherent world you need to understand from both you as the creator and then audiences point of view. You may understand and integrate your self into what you are creating but that is simply because you ARE the creator. You know and understand everything. To make the game universally intriguing, you want to have a fluid narrative delivered in a solid, well constructed and tightly made world.
To make this possible I have learned that building from the "stencil" of reality is always a good place to start. Inspiration from the real world, gives connotations of familiar atmospheric feel which the audience can relate to.
What is a coherent world?
Well I think I've explained that in depth already
How do I make one?
To summarize what my understanding is. To make a coherent world you need to understand from both you as the creator and then audiences point of view. You may understand and integrate your self into what you are creating but that is simply because you ARE the creator. You know and understand everything. To make the game universally intriguing, you want to have a fluid narrative delivered in a solid, well constructed and tightly made world.
To make this possible I have learned that building from the "stencil" of reality is always a good place to start. Inspiration from the real world, gives connotations of familiar atmospheric feel which the audience can relate to.
Using what I have learnt
Now that I am working on designing and developing my own game, what I have learnt through my research into answering my original questions has strengthened my imagination and understanding of coherent world creation. My game is literally based in a completely derived solar system. My idea is a hunting reserve, with alien creatures as the prey. This means I have had to literally create my own ecosystems and food chains. From what I have learned, people will integrate and indulge in a game far more if they can relate to it, if the narrative and coherent world have a real sense of atmosphere and a believable relationship. So taking this knowledge, I have studied basic food chain structures and the way that real ecosystems adapt with change. Also different species and there behavior to each other. Taking this 'natural template' I can start building a coherent believable universe, with a believable environment which allows for intriguing audience integration.
Story worlds
After a seminar with Sharon Sage this is what I have deduced about Story worlds.
Before you can make an effective story world you first need to understand the key factors of what an effective story world is. This is an extremely complex question. When looking at successful story's based in coherent worlds the depth of work put into creating that is often overlooked. This is because, when creating a narrative that is truly spectacular, a strong and well knit coherent world is a key ingredient. If the world is not well made then the audience will find holes and irregularities in the narrative and it will loose its unique feel.
A brilliant example of a strong story world would be that created by J.R.R.Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. A timeless classic who's narrative is still enjoyed by the masses today. Tolkien built this coherent world from the ground up, going into great detail in almost everything. People, land, culture, beliefs, creatures, items and ever so much more. Even things that had no meaning or impact on the narrative were not spared the depth of detail in creation.
The line between over constricting and letting loose your audiences imagination is quite fine. You want them to have an understanding and feel of the atmosphere you are creating using connotation and description. On the other hand you don't want to limit your audiences imagination, you want them to have a sense of integration in your world and not feel separate to it.
One thing I have noticed a lot whilst studying this section of my research, after Sharon Sage pointed it out, is that it is very easy to find examples of a working story world though it is very difficult to find a bad example. Weather this is down to these story world just being unsuccessful hence don't become well known, Im not sure. I believe though I have found a good example of a successful franchise that in my eyes has a poor narrative and story world combination. Assassins creed. The way the game is played out and the way in which it directs you seems to tear the plot and the coherent world apart. They feels as if they have been created separately and then forced together into some kind of confusing path of chronological events.
Before you can make an effective story world you first need to understand the key factors of what an effective story world is. This is an extremely complex question. When looking at successful story's based in coherent worlds the depth of work put into creating that is often overlooked. This is because, when creating a narrative that is truly spectacular, a strong and well knit coherent world is a key ingredient. If the world is not well made then the audience will find holes and irregularities in the narrative and it will loose its unique feel.
A brilliant example of a strong story world would be that created by J.R.R.Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. A timeless classic who's narrative is still enjoyed by the masses today. Tolkien built this coherent world from the ground up, going into great detail in almost everything. People, land, culture, beliefs, creatures, items and ever so much more. Even things that had no meaning or impact on the narrative were not spared the depth of detail in creation.
The line between over constricting and letting loose your audiences imagination is quite fine. You want them to have an understanding and feel of the atmosphere you are creating using connotation and description. On the other hand you don't want to limit your audiences imagination, you want them to have a sense of integration in your world and not feel separate to it.
One thing I have noticed a lot whilst studying this section of my research, after Sharon Sage pointed it out, is that it is very easy to find examples of a working story world though it is very difficult to find a bad example. Weather this is down to these story world just being unsuccessful hence don't become well known, Im not sure. I believe though I have found a good example of a successful franchise that in my eyes has a poor narrative and story world combination. Assassins creed. The way the game is played out and the way in which it directs you seems to tear the plot and the coherent world apart. They feels as if they have been created separately and then forced together into some kind of confusing path of chronological events.
Transmedia story telling
From what I have learned this is my view on what a Coherent World is. It is a completely fictional world structured and fortified by imagination and narrative. Once you create this world, what makes it coherent is the use of transmedia.
Transmedia story telling is using the media entertainment industry to disperse the narrative of your creation to the masses. This is the most effective way to advertise your creation, and coerces people into traveling the different media genres, and submerges them in the narrative depth of your world.
Your idea may start in a singular media but if you do not define it to any particular media it obviously will expand your target audience. Giving each media a small portion of your imaginative world will increase the intrigue of it. If the users of each media genre take the bait, they will delve into other genres to learn more on your creation
Transmedia story telling is used in nearly every modern narrative. Fantastic examples are things like the 'Gears of war' or 'Halo' franshise. The transmedia used for both of these games have been key to their fame and fortune.
Halo has kept its deep narrative strong in game and out. It has multiple Live action short films explaining chronological holes between games and even events that happened during the same time period as the game but transpire in different locations. Also comics and novels have been created to do the same. Also, to build interest and intrigue in the franchise there has been a build up of hype and recent certification of a feature length Halo movie. A shining example of successful transmedia usage.
Here are some links to a few of those live action shorts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKGhoJ1mgQY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKRlWLDWhGI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTw3qeQrjvI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qWNN1QeOsQ
Transmedia story telling is using the media entertainment industry to disperse the narrative of your creation to the masses. This is the most effective way to advertise your creation, and coerces people into traveling the different media genres, and submerges them in the narrative depth of your world.
Your idea may start in a singular media but if you do not define it to any particular media it obviously will expand your target audience. Giving each media a small portion of your imaginative world will increase the intrigue of it. If the users of each media genre take the bait, they will delve into other genres to learn more on your creation
Transmedia story telling is used in nearly every modern narrative. Fantastic examples are things like the 'Gears of war' or 'Halo' franshise. The transmedia used for both of these games have been key to their fame and fortune.
Halo has kept its deep narrative strong in game and out. It has multiple Live action short films explaining chronological holes between games and even events that happened during the same time period as the game but transpire in different locations. Also comics and novels have been created to do the same. Also, to build interest and intrigue in the franchise there has been a build up of hype and recent certification of a feature length Halo movie. A shining example of successful transmedia usage.
Here are some links to a few of those live action shorts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKGhoJ1mgQY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKRlWLDWhGI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTw3qeQrjvI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qWNN1QeOsQ
The questions
To get going on any kind of decent research and study you need one thing, a question. So to give my self the boost I need I have very simply asked my self a question, two questions in fact.
What is a Coherent World?
And how do I create one?
Using these starting questions I am going to give you my interpretations of the lectures and seminars I have had over the past few weeks, to show you my understanding of it, and to hopefully strengthen yours.
What is a Coherent World?
And how do I create one?
Using these starting questions I am going to give you my interpretations of the lectures and seminars I have had over the past few weeks, to show you my understanding of it, and to hopefully strengthen yours.
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