Authoring Interactive Fictional Stories in Object-Based Media (OBM)

TY - GEN

T1 - Authoring Interactive Fictional Stories in Object-Based Media (OBM)

AU - Ursu, Marian

AU - Smith, Davy

AU - Hook, Jonathan David

AU - Concannon, Shauna

AU - Gray, John

PY - 2020/7/17

Y1 - 2020/7/17

N2 - This paper introduces a generic (i.e. production-independent) framework for OBM storytelling. Aiming to function as a complete end-to-end (from conception to realisation) reference for authoring OBM narrative content, it proposes an integrated model that includes the three essential levels: conceptual, technological and aesthetic. At the conceptual level, we introduce a set of abstractions which provide a unified reference for thinking, describing and analysing interactive narrative structures of OBM content. Their recursive nature make our model stand out in terms of its power of expression. These abstractions have direct one-to-one operational counterparts implemented in our production-independent authoring toolkit – Cutting Room. This ensures that any specific story design within the proposed conceptual model is directly realisable as an OBM production. This isomorphic relationship between the abstract concepts and their operationalisation is another distinguishing aspect of our overall proposition. We have validated the model at the aesthetic level through the production of the interactive film What is Love?, experienced by over 900 people at the media art festival Mediale 2018 in York, UK, and evaluated through a dedicated questionnaire by 94 of them. As the foundations of OBM storytelling have not yet been established, we trust this paper constitutes a significant milestone in its development.

AB - This paper introduces a generic (i.e. production-independent) framework for OBM storytelling. Aiming to function as a complete end-to-end (from conception to realisation) reference for authoring OBM narrative content, it proposes an integrated model that includes the three essential levels: conceptual, technological and aesthetic. At the conceptual level, we introduce a set of abstractions which provide a unified reference for thinking, describing and analysing interactive narrative structures of OBM content. Their recursive nature make our model stand out in terms of its power of expression. These abstractions have direct one-to-one operational counterparts implemented in our production-independent authoring toolkit – Cutting Room. This ensures that any specific story design within the proposed conceptual model is directly realisable as an OBM production. This isomorphic relationship between the abstract concepts and their operationalisation is another distinguishing aspect of our overall proposition. We have validated the model at the aesthetic level through the production of the interactive film What is Love?, experienced by over 900 people at the media art festival Mediale 2018 in York, UK, and evaluated through a dedicated questionnaire by 94 of them. As the foundations of OBM storytelling have not yet been established, we trust this paper constitutes a significant milestone in its development.

U2 - 10.1145/3391614.3393654

DO - 10.1145/3391614.3393654

M3 - Conference contribution

SP - 127

EP - 137

BT - Proceedings of the ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences

PB - ACM

T2 - ACM IMX International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences 2020

Y2 - 17 June 2020 through 19 June 2020

ER -