By Jessica Shock
For students at SCAD, the “story” is always there – it’s the red brushstroke on our blue canvas, the twist in our student film, the character’s death in our short story. It’s our reason – our intention – for making the art in the first place.
And at “Transmedia 2.0: Experience the Story,” four guest speakers reminded us why our story matters.
The talk began with Mike Knowlton expressing the importance of getting your audience involved by introduced one of his 2011 projects, “His, Hers, and Them.” It was the very first social film, a successful hybrid of film and social media that plucked photos and text from the player’s profile to play a part in the movie, giving each a unique experience.
From there the mic was passed to Marisa Jahn, a woman who specializes in sharing her story to audiences without internet. Sounds next to impossible, right? But Jahn has done it over and over again. Her nanny project, for example, was about getting the word out to nannies and maids – people with jobs that recently got a federal minimum wage, along with other benefits. To get them in the loop, she created a line they could call to hear ‘episodes’ – quick little narratives about the new law in simple, everyday language. Suddenly thousands have the info, no internet needed.
Lance Weiler was up next, immediately engaging the audience with his easy humor. He listed off some earlier, darker projects (“Head Trauma,” “Pandemic”) before talking about Laika, an adorable brown robot plush with a giant pink heart on its chest. Pointing out to the audience, he asked his son to hold it up – his son, who inspired him to look at the world a little differently and really get the ball rolling for this little robot powered not by fossil fuels, but by creativity and passion.
“It’s a unique time,” Weiler said. “Stories will drive the next generation.”
He listed off how many ways he has shared Laika to children around the world, and how everyone has the ability to experience stories now. “It’s an amazing opportunity to tell stories that have multiple layers.”
Mark Harris, the final speaker, also touched on the experience of the story with his project, “The Lost Children.” It’s his independent film, one about cults and psychic powers. And right before every screening of his movie, he has actors try to invite the audience to be part of the cult – like it’s a real religious sect. He’s pushing his story, but curiously leaving the characters out of it.
“Themes take you further than characters. You have to ask yourself, what is the voice you’re trying to push out? Why are you saying this? What are you really about?”
Why did you use that color, or film it that way, or write out that character? Find your story, and share it with the world.
