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A talk I gave in Edinburgh in June 2013 outlining some principles for digital storytelling
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Blast Theory
Matt Adams
Digital Storytelling
21st June 2012
www.blasttheory.co.uk@blasttheory
Blast Theory
A group of artists based in Brighton, UK led by Matt Adams, Ju Row Farr and Nick Tandavanitj
Formed in 1991
Collaborating with the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham since 1997
Interactive = unfinished
You are making User Centred Design
What is the context?
Ivy4Evr
An interactive SMS dramaCommissioned by Channel 4
EducationTo engage teenagers on issues of sex
and drugs
Why use SMS?
• The ultimate native platform for teenagers
• Intimate: it mingles with your existing friends
• One to one• Quick: fits teenage lifestyles• Short : good for interaction design• Persistent• Quasi anonymous
Ivy4Evr
Written by the fantastic Tony White
The episode starts on a Sunday with Ivy on a train. Her sister – Lilsis – has posted a photo of a used condom on Facebook and tagged Ivy and her ex-boyfriend Degs. Ashamed, Ivy goes to stay with her mate Adz for a few days. As she settles down on Adz’s sofa Ivy admits that her period is late.
Think about it as dialogue
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about
it. Not the same i know, Cx
Caitlin 513
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Sorry to be nosy. Your lucky. I can’t talk to my parents about stuff like this though, can you?
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about
it. Not the same i know, Cx
Caitlin 513
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Sorry to be nosy. Your lucky. I can’t talk to my parents about stuff like this though, can you?
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about
it. Not the same i know, Cx
Its okay. Well i could, but i don’t think i could? Cx
Caitlin 513
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Sorry to be nosy. Your lucky. I can’t talk to my parents about stuff like this though, can you?
Really?!? Your lucky then. Always thought I would of told Lilsis about something like this.
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about
it. Not the same i know, Cx
Its okay. Well i could, but i don’t think i could? Cx
Caitlin 513
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Sorry to be nosy. Your lucky. I can’t talk to my parents about stuff like this though, can you?
Really?!? Your lucky then. Always thought I would of told Lilsis about something like this.
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about
it. Not the same i know, Cx
Its okay. Well i could, but i don’t think i could? Cx
Yeahh...but i’d be scared to how they would react. Sometimes you have to
make hard decisions in life, bad or good. Cx
Caitlin 513
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Sorry to be nosy. Your lucky. I can’t talk to my parents about stuff like this though, can you?
Really?!? Your lucky then. Always thought I would of told Lilsis about something like this.
Don’t really trust her now. Adz said IF I am do I know who the father would be? Q.Whats he take me for???
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about
it. Not the same i know, Cx
Its okay. Well i could, but i don’t think i could? Cx
Yeahh...but i’d be scared to how they would react. Sometimes you have to
make hard decisions in life, bad or good. Cx
Caitlin 513
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Sorry to be nosy. Your lucky. I can’t talk to my parents about stuff like this though, can you?
Really?!? Your lucky then. Always thought I would of told Lilsis about something like this.
Don’t really trust her now. Adz said IF I am do I know who the father would be? Q.Whats he take me for???
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about
it. Not the same i know, Cx
Its okay. Well i could, but i don’t think i could? Cx
Yeahh...but i’d be scared to how they would react. Sometimes you have to
make hard decisions in life, bad or good. Cx
Maybe he’s just worried for you.? People say things that they think
sounds good, or supportive but the intent comes out wrong? When
they’re worried. Cx
Caitlin 513
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Sorry to be nosy. Your lucky. I can’t talk to my parents about stuff like this though, can you?
Really?!? Your lucky then. Always thought I would of told Lilsis about something like this.
Don’t really trust her now. Adz said IF I am do I know who the father would be? Q.Whats he take me for???
He’s looking out for me I know. Sorry if I’m being boring. For some reason I feel like I can talk to you about it... Do you mind?
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about
it. Not the same i know, Cx
Its okay. Well i could, but i don’t think i could? Cx
Yeahh...but i’d be scared to how they would react. Sometimes you have to
make hard decisions in life, bad or good. Cx
Maybe he’s just worried for you.? People say things that they think
sounds good, or supportive but the intent comes out wrong? When
they’re worried. Cx
Caitlin 513
Hey C, **personal question** Q. know someone who missed their period?
Sorry to be nosy. Your lucky. I can’t talk to my parents about stuff like this though, can you?
Really?!? Your lucky then. Always thought I would of told Lilsis about something like this.
Don’t really trust her now. Adz said IF I am do I know who the father would be? Q.Whats he take me for???
He’s looking out for me I know. Sorry if I’m being boring. For some reason I feel like I can talk to you about it... Do you mind?
Ivy
Erm, no i dont think i have......but i’ve seen stuff on the television about it.
Not the same i know, Cx
Its okay. Well i could, but i don’t think i could? Cx
Yeahh...but i’d be scared to how they would react. Sometimes you have to
make hard decisions in life, bad or good. Cx
Maybe he’s just worried for you.? People say things that they think sounds good, or
supportive but the intent comes out wrong? When they’re worried. Cx
No, not at all, i’m happy to help. Cx
Caitlin 513
A character written by Tony WhiteA 17 year old temporarily crashing on a friend’s sofaAuthored in advanceAll responses automated
Ivy
Sending text messages in real time13 year old participant in Ivy4Evr
Caitlin 513
Ladders
What is your Call To Action?
Who is the protagonist?
A Machine To See With
A Machine To See WithCommissioned by 01 San Jose, Sundance Film Festival and Banff Center as a piece of ‘Locative Cinema’.
Participants walk through the city towards a bank robbery guided by an automated system of voice calls.
Look for emergence
It’s not all about the story
Rider SpokeCyclists use a handheld computer and ride for an hour through the city at night. They listen to Ju’s voice and the music of Blanket as they ride.
They record answers to questions and listen to those of others. Each recording is ‘hidden’ in a unique place defined by the WiFi network.
The interface combines Mexican votive painting, heraldry and sailor tattoos.
How does it work?Rider Spoke uses an internet tablet mounted to your bike’s handlebars
An interface allows users to play and record audio.
In the background the device repeatedly scans for any visible WiFi access points while cyclists are riding
Each time it sees a new combination of WiFi access points it logs a new hiding place identified by a WiFi fingerprint.
Answers recorded by cyclists are saved at the WiFi fingerprint they have chosen as their hiding place
TestimonyRider Spoke removes us as authors to a large degree. It places the participants as authors as well as audience.
The work is a mix between private confession and radio broadcast.
It makes strong use of cycling, alone, at night to set a context, a tone, an emotional register for talking about yourself.
Participant trajectory
Canonical trajectory
Canonical and participant trajectories represent an author’s ideal journey and a participant’s
actual journey respectively
Canonical vs Participant trajectories
Exploit porous boundaries
Technology is a limited tool
The system is semanticThe system is ideological
What are your ethics?
We are only just beginning . . .
Philippa has a question . . .
Trolley Dilemma
A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are five people.
You can flip a switch, which will lead the trolley down a different track to safety.
Unfortunately, there is a single person tied to that track. Should you flip the switch?
Trolley DilemmaDevised by philosopher Philippa Foot in the 1960s to elucidate moral decision making.
Further developed into multiple versions e.g. pushing the fat man.
Recent research shows that we make moral decisions in a more homogenous way than previously thought.
Trolley DilemmaAs an artist I increasingly think of myself as setting trolley dilemmas.
I am creating a meaningful context in which the participant can explore their moral and ethical boundaries.
