For Urgent Attention. (Hello World)2

That’s what it says on one of my in trays. The first inch is ‘important’ admin stuff but under that there is a folder with an idea I started 3 years ago (2007). Its a science fiction piece told over multiple web spaces and real world locations. Its revolutionary. No-one has ever done anything like this before, gazillions will flock to the website, be in love with the characters and blown away by the story. The whole world will of course, change.

A crushing relief from this isolation borne notion came two years ago. At the Screenwriters Festival in Cheltenham, (UK), I found ground had long since been made by others. Talks were given by Hazel Grian on Kate Modern, a team from Kudos who worked on the first version of Spooks Interactive, writers and directors from Sofia’s Diary and a chap from Hammer Horror. They were all buzzing about Interactive Web Series, 360 Degree Projects and ARGs.

I was excited. With a solid background in design, all aspects of indie film making and 10 years working with web technologies, UI, and UX design, this was a world I wanted in on; one that I was (and am) convinced I could bring an interesting perspective to.

But, like the introvert I was back then, I slunk away to think, to plot, to write, to develop and to eventually go…… “wtf? That festival was 2 years ago!”

Although fun, the day jobs and life had swamped me. I had spent a lot of head-time on story telling concepts, scribbled notes and diagrams but what I hadn’t done was anything to physically move into this area and engage the growing community. I was a virtual virtual story enthusiast.

The last 18 months have been about restructuring my conventional web, and video business so that I oversee rather than produce. Reading up on emerging technologies, theories and joining online conversations means now I’m involved in some very interesting projects.

Intentions

One thing I’ve decide not to do is to try and define transmedia in any way, but I will have a go at stating what I am currently interested in.

1. With web video/broadcast as a driving platform, produce entertaining and valuable stories that exist in real and virtual spaces, involving engaging characters and events open to various levels of audience interaction.
2. Develop web based and pervasive platforms to achieve social good and increase both engagement and understanding of the physical world.
3. Engage with like minds, work in environments of transparency and enjoy the ride.

So, the site is opened, blog is launched and current projects outlined for perusal. The file from the urgent attention tray is now in the ‘active’ tray. The next 12 – 18 months will see some projects come to life and, if I don’t screw them up, lead to others.

Finally, if you have taken the time to read this, I am grateful.