The Story Lab – Project Brief 3: The Barlow Enquiry

The direction we aim to take with Project Brief 4 is to create an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) around the mysterious identity of a long dead (fictional) serial killer named ‘The Dead Ringer’ who was active in the year 1901. Named for the way the his victims were found, the killer murdered five people and was never brought to justice, yet a few suspects were believed to have been ‘The Right Hand Man’ and our main character Atticus Barlow will provide the clues for the game as he begins investigating in the year 2016.

Based around the personal journey of Atticus Barlow, The Barlow Enquiry will allow players to follow the journey through his blog and social media platforms as he researches the events of 1901 surrounding the five deaths of prominent social figures in early 20th Century Melbourne. The character of Atticus Barlow will be the audience’s connection point to the story as he details his progress through the case and his personal life. The central focus of the project will be the creation of an in depth and three-dimensional person in Atticus Barlow as this will help the audience connect to the game. Allowing the players to have insight into Atticus’ emotional journey will provide a way for them to invest in the game. After the death of his grandfather, Atticus has retreated away from the outside world and began researching his family tree until he came across his great-great grandfather, William James Barlow, who died under mysterious circumstances in 1901. When Atticus makes the connection to the infamous serial killer, he tries to get the public to help solve the mystery to gain peace and acceptance of his current situation, if he achieve this he can find the confidence to move on.

Another entry point will be the mystery of who is ‘The Right Hand Man’ a serial killer who murdered five people in the year 1901 but was never caught. Players will have clues laid out for them over the course of a few weeks through Atticus Barlow’s blog. As he discovers them he will post the information for the followers to help them piece together the mysterious identity.

To further the ARG elements of the game, we will create another fictional user of the blog who will also have a vested yet unknown interest in the cold case. They will comment on Atticus’ blog, adding further evidence from their own investigations and will be the catalyst for the real world component of the investigation. They will have some documents that will aid the audience’s investigation but remain anonymous, providing clues to lead players to a location in real life.

My role in the group will be to manage Atticus Barlow’s blog and social media accounts, creating a real persona. To do this I will not only focus on the case but build up his social life, posting pictures on Instagram and tweeting about how he is feeling about the break up and the case. I will also manage the calculated release of information to provide enough clues for players to mull over, riding the line between too little information that they lose interest and too much that they solve the case too early.

My group for this project are really dedicated to creating a fully immersive and well put together experience and  we are all clear on and are comfortable in our roles and we are excited for The Barlow Experience to take shape.

April 24, 2016 Assessment Tasks, The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – Project Brief 3: The Barlow Enquiry

The Story Lab – Week 6: Web Series and Transmedia

After watching Starting From… Now!, High Maintenance and The Guild, the draw of creating a web series over traditional television, especially when working with a budget constraint, became clear. The episodes can be as long or as short as needs be. High Maintenance is now being developed for HBO and this has come after using six seasons of content to prove there is a market and a strong creative team behind the project for HBO to invest in. I have watched a few web series but my favourite is Jake and Amir. Released on College Humor’s YouTube channel weekly over eight years with videos ranging from 2-5 minutes in length. As a comedy show, a large fan base grew and latched onto running jokes and references as the show cultivated a niche slice of popularity on the web. Being a web series allowed for the creators to write and shoot the show without any studio interference and dictate when they wanted to end the series. Having a show based on the internet led to utilisation of transmedia properties to create jokes stemming from the episodes, such as the creation of the website onealmond.com based on the core conceit of the episode “One Almond”.

Web series storytelling is a more personal experience for smaller audiences to connect with and unlike television programs which reach and involve a large audiences diluting the experience, web series connect with their audiences by existing on a platform they share with the people watching.

April 12, 2016 The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – Week 6: Web Series and Transmedia

The Story Lab – Week 5: Story Smash

The three stories we were presented with when Smashing out stories together were

  1. A 19th Century serial killer is on the loose and a detective is trying to uncover who they are
  2. A crazy ex-girlfriend kills her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend by hitting her with a car
  3. A soldier in the year 2030 is fighting a war against an army made up of alien/human hybrids

The most obviously difficult aspect of connecting these three stories is the vastly separate time periods. We approached this problem by focusing on the future storyline because it allowed us to create fictional technology and a history that may or may not exist (although it is a very slim possibility). We ended up with a narrative spanning centuries, taking ideas from science fiction to ensure a connection between the alien war, a crazed ex and a 19th century serial killer.

Our end result

Mike is a soldier in the year 2030 fighting a war against alien/human hybrids and on a mission into a black site, he stumbles across confidential information concerning the human DNA strands of the alien/human hybrids. In his down time between battles, he starts investigating these gene pools until he discovers that one has links to clinically insane people through out history, such as a crazy ex-girlfriend who hit her ex’s new girlfriend with a car and a 17th serial killer.

The narrative loops we needed to jump through to create this smashed story cemented (for me) my idea for my final assessment, centred on a cold case from 1901. While the task did provide an example of the malleability of story, it also proved that a simply story allows for a more cohesive and deeper experience.

 

March 23, 2016 The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – Week 5: Story Smash

The Story Lab – Week 4: Interactivity and Games

Interactive Games

  1. Even Cowgirls Bleed
  2. // (Parallel)
  1. How, using minimal resources, have these story worlds been created?
    1. The colour grading of the background from light to dark brown evokes the colours of a western narrative. Coupling this with the title places the audience into a Spaghetti Western. The title of the piece, Even Cowgirls Bleed, plays a main role in establishing the story world before the player has even begun exploring.
    2. Establishes in is happening in real life through the eyes of young teens without stating age.
  2. When were you hooked?
    1. When there were two choices in the narrative, to shoot for the hat or the man, which would then help to characterise the cowgirl through hid reactions.
    2. I wasn’t that hooked, it felt like I was just flipping through a book instead of interacting with the narrative. The switching between genders was interesting to show the dichotomy between the two stories but it didn’t hook me as a cohesive narrative as they felt separate from each other and I was not given agency in the world.
  3. How is character developed?
    1. The story is told using inner monologue to fully capture the emotional range the protagonists undergoes throughout her adventure. The choices made by the player help to subtly decide how the cowgirl is perceived by the other characters in the world develops her characterisation by allowing the audience to seemingly control her outward personality.
    2. Through comparing the two genders using inner monologue to show different views in similar situations.
  4. How is narrative, technology, audience leveraged (used) to relay the story?
    1. The audience is used through the choices they are forced to make to continue the narrative. By choosing a way to approach a scenario, they are placing their own personality into the cowgirl which in turn causes them to become more invested in the story because they have a personal stake in how her story unfolds. The ending of the narrative is inevitable and the technology of the game is used to minutely alter the story but not the final outcome, otherwise the title would be meaningless. Whenever a choice is made, the following text is different that that of the other choice, yet what follows that is the same whatever scenario you choose. The technology is also used to include a surprise and make the narrative feel more lifelike, as when the other cowgirl tells you to holster your weapon, the player is unable to as any movement of the mouse cause the gun to go off, making it impossible for the player to do anything else but shoot the woman. The cursor is also shaped like a gun marker to inform the player they are controlling how a gun is used as the way to make choices.
    2. Technology is used as a way to highlight the difference between genders, as instead of showing both views on the same screen, the isolation of a character’s inner thoughts on a screen by itself highlights how different both views are.
March 22, 2016 The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – Week 4: Interactivity and Games

The Story Lab – Reflecting on Feedback

I really enjoyed writing my short story. Maybe its because I like hopping into the mind of a crazy serial killer or the other (hopefully) more accurate reason is that I love trying something new when I am writing. Whenever I am tasked with creating a piece of fiction, my immediate thought is to write from the first person perspective of a character. I love putting inner dialogue on the page because while people like to believe they are honest with themselves, there is a constant battle of truth and lies raging around in our heads and I find it interesting to approach this conflict from a new perspective. I used the inner dialogue and paired with the third person point of view to provide a context for Everett’s thoughts and why that specific inner conflict is occurring.

Griffin Wong read my work and commented on it and I am highlighting it because I am happy she liked the style of the writing because that was what I most proud about. She stated that “I thought it’s a very good short story as it really brings the character Everett Newton Irving to life. While reading it, I felt like as if I’m part of the people who were watching Everett getting to be hung to death. I like the style of your writing, like changing between different point of views, showing what’s actually happening first, then changed to Everett’s inner voice and back to the actual situation. I honestly think there is no need for further developments because the intensity of the story will be gone and it will rather come out draggy. It’s a very good piece of writing.”

While this may serve as am obvious egotistical brag, I also wanted to show that if you find something interesting in the project you are creating, others will like it also.

March 18, 2016 The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – Reflecting on Feedback

Assessment Task 1 – Short Story Reflection

When I was set with the task of writing an 800 word short story I knew that I wanted to it be from the perspective on a single character using an inner monologue as a way of showcasing their mental turmoil. Having just watched a section of James Whale’s Frankenstein (1931), the concept of a scientist undertaking tests outside of the law sprang to mind. As we discussed in class, based on the Manovich reading ‘The Database’, film as developed throughout history and certain tropes have been established. The trope of the ‘mad scientist’ is recognisable to most audiences because of its continued use in stories of all mediums which allowed me to create a character that played off these tropes.

My short story is a of character piece as a man tries to stand by his principles in the face of unwavering evidence and opposition. I drew inspiration of this trait from The Substance of Story (McKee, Robert, 2007, pg. 138) in which it is stated that “fascinating characters tend to have not only a conscious but an unconscious desire. Although these complex protagonists are unaware of their subconscious need, the audience senses it, perceiving in them an inner contradiction.” Everett Irving is convinced he is what is right with the world, that the acts he has committed are for the benefit of humankind, yet as he grows to anger in the face of the charges against him, the audience can sense he is battling against himself. Having his death be such an omnipresent figure through the use of the church bell counting down his life, the rising fear ensures the lies he uses to justify the murders he has committed will crumble.

The 800 word limit was actually not a challenge to achieve as I structured the story around the bell tolls to create a framework to limit the word count. I felt as if my first draft rushed towards the end in terms of Irving’s revelation about his guilt but as I was editing I realised that it worked for his character, the unconscious need to suppress his guilt finally arrives in his last moments, befitting a character whose whole life revolved around justifying his existence.

 

March 13, 2016 Assessment Tasks, The Story Lab 1 Comment on Assessment Task 1 – Short Story Reflection

The Story Lab – My Short Story

A low, solemn note reverberated around the square as the bell tolled in the high tower. He begins walking down the gravel path, people jeering either side of it, their faces filled with derision.

I am innocent. I am not a bad man. I provided for my family, I helped the community, I am integral to the evolution of science and mankind alike. Nothing I did was ever against the betterment of humanity; scientific research to aid progress. For what of the world’s inner workings would we understand without the crucial information I gleaned from everything I did?

The church bell rings for the second time. He pauses at the foot of the wooden steps, apprehension freezing his body in place. Red droplets stain the coarse stones beneath his feet as they bleed freely. He turns around to scan the citizens who line the path, a seemingly endless crowd of unanimous conviction.

There they stand, leering at me like I am a rabid dog that needs to be put down before it attacks one of the virtuous followers of justice. How hard it must to stand amongst a mass of unassuming peers and pass judgement onto someone labelled guilty without truly knowing all the facts. I heard them all, whispering about the graves. But do any of them know what was buried in the earth? They were only animals, sick and dying, on their last legs and perfect for experiments. Close to the end, what could be a better way to spend the final hours of your life than helping future generations learn more about the grand scope of things?

The church bell rings for a third time. The two guards simultaneously push him forwards, making him climb the three wooden stairs to the wide platform in the middle of the throng. He winces as a splinter pierces his toe, drawing more blood from his tattered feet. He looks up to the swathe of angered faces, holding his head high, dignified and proud.

They knew he was innocent. They heard him screaming it to the police as they led him away from his home, his solitude from the stupidity of those outside, where he could investigate the natural world in peace. Away from the incessant pleas of the people, begging to be cured of a simple sniffle so they could go back to work on Rennie’s Bridge and provide for their families. I am a scientist, not a doctor to aid those in “need” whenever they summon me. I am a man out of his time and the simpletons of this century cannot understand the breakthroughs I have and will continue to make.

The church bell rings for the fourth time. The guards push him into position and he can feel the trap door give slightly beneath his feet. The officer raises his hands for silence from the unruly crowd.

“Everett Newton Irving, you have been found guilty of thirty-seven counts of murder…”

Lies.

“…including the death of Lord Wilde and his two daughters.”

A dying man and his feeble offspring.

The church bell rings for the fifth time.

 “You have been convicted through the evidence found by the City of London Police which include, but is not limited to, the thirty-six graves found in the garden of your residence…”

A fitting tribute for those who contributed to the future of mankind.

“… the illegal surgical equipment used to torture your victims…”

MY LAB YOU BLIND APE! An operating theatre dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of humanity in order to ensure a better future for every drooling buffoon on this rock!

“…and the most damning fact being the discovery of yourself in the midst of torturing your wife, Veronica Irving.”

An intrusion into what would have been my greatest discovery, I am sure of it.

The church bell rings for the sixth and final time. The executioner grabs his hair, placing the rope around his neck and throwing a sack over his head to wild applause from the restless horde. He then walks to his station, his heavy footsteps sending vibrations through his feet and up to his skull.

In time, with the coming generations, they will finally understand my noble work. They will praise me as the greatest mind of my time and weep over my wrongful death.

The trapdoor suddenly gives way. The rope constricts around his neck, immediately cutting off his breathing. He gasps for life as his body swings in tandem with the cheers of the London public. He feels death approach, the final light bringing an unfamiliar sensation with it. It grabs his heart and grips it tight. Fear has finally pierced his soul.

I am guilty.

March 13, 2016 Assessment Tasks, The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – My Short Story

The Story Lab – Week 3: Transmedia and Audiences

Through this week’s reading, Max Giovagnoli discusses the relationship between transmedia and its audiences and what makes an effective story work. If the story is crossing multiple platforms, which it must considering it is a transmedia property, the links and explanation of the relationship between the various mediums needs to be clear. If a link is hard to believe, that is to say it makes little sense to connect two mediums, than the audience will be pulled out of the narrative and so transmedia stories need to feel natural for them to succeed.

A way to achieve this is the repetition of hooks, bridges and links between platforms to create various entry points into the story. If an someone becomes aware of the narrative halfway through it’s run, they need a point of access that is understandable for them and does not rely on them being present from the beginning to enjoy the experience. One way to do this are narrative hooks which involves seeding ideas that will come up again later on in the story, making it feel more like a journey and building on natural curiosity to reach a fulfilling payoff.

A second way to continually engage an audience is frequent clarification. Repetition of the main plot points allows for people to enter the narrative at any point in time yet to ensure current players do not become bored and annoyed at the constant reminder, the repetition needs to be done in various was so the audience does not feel like they are being spoon fed.

To create an engaging transmedia story, the creator must be aware of their audience throughout the entire process.

March 12, 2016 The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – Week 3: Transmedia and Audiences

The Story Lab – Week 2: Sherlock: The Network App

I am a huge fan of the TV show Sherlock, I will say that up front, having watched my favourite few episodes more than five times each. I have never heard of Sherlock: The Network App before and after playing it, I can kind of see why. I played the first two missions fairly quickly and in full disclosure, I was fairly bored that day so it provided a distraction before I had to go out and so I bought the next few missions to see where the story. Yet, a few days later I had not gone back to it so I deleted it without bothering to discover if Mrs. Hudson was ever rescued (spoilers, she probably was). I was surprised to see that Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman had filmed short videos soley for the game which provided a nice draw for the game, but this feeling was quickly dispelled by the uninteresting missions and unengaging gameplay. Information was given through boring walls of text and the mini games were so simple to allow anyone to continue through the game without much difficulty, yet there was always an option to simply skip the challenge if you took too long.

On its surface, the app seems to be made for fan enjoyment, and while some fans may get a kick out seeing their favourite characters interacting with them through the phone and text messages, it is very clear that this is merely a glorified ad to attempt to tide fans over during the excruciatingly long waits between seasons of the show. Characters were shown through what the fans like about them most such as Watson’s exasperation at Sherlock’s abrasiveness or Molly Hooper’s crush on Sherlock to make it feel as if they are a part of the world they love seeing on screen. But a lack of effort based upon the assumption that these aspects would be enough is glaring, and while Sherlock: The Network App does work as a marketing tool to keep the show in people’s consciousness, it fails spectacularly at being something worth playing.

March 11, 2016 The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – Week 2: Sherlock: The Network App

The Story Lab – Week 2: Sherlock

Beginning in 2010, the BBC’s Sherlock was created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, the showrunner and writer for the BBC’s other cult hit, Doctor Who, respectively. This is relevant as the two titular characters of both shows are male protagonists, taken out of their own time, misunderstood by their peers and much smarter than anyone else around them. The character of Sherlock was created by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887 and gaining popularity in 1891 in short stories published in The Strand Magazine.

The character has stayed within the popular zeitgeist due to its complexity and the depth of his supporting players. The 2010 television series takes the character and places him in modern day London, with the use of the internet and mobile phones as tools to solve his crimes. This allows for the showrunners to play with fan theories and groups within the show such as the sub plot of the premiere episode of season 3 which revolved around how Sherlock survived his fall and the end of the previous season.

Sherlock is a modern show and its fans thrive on the internet on many social media platforms. They use the freedom of the internet to showcase the theories of the story, discuss their favourite characters and guess what the future of the show will be. Modern audiences have the ability to simultaneously watching a show while using the internet to research or talk about what they are watching. Multiple screens and platforms allow for the story and world of a show to thrive beyond the hours shown on screen and Sherlock has become a phenomenon by generating a dedicated fan base who understand the online environment.

March 11, 2016 The Story Lab No Comments on The Story Lab – Week 2: Sherlock
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