Jen Wilson, of The Project Factory, presented ideas and realities of the mobile web at the ADMA class I tutor. Amongst other brilliant things we were shown this clip – HP MScape game prototype.

The clip got me thinking. Story writing comes to life through a variety of mediums. A book, allows you to get inside the head of the characters, get direct access to their internal thoughts. TV, stories can be told through interpersonal relationships. And film, due to its longer format and cinematic delivery, often explores the human condition and delves into bigger questions. Of course there are many types of books, TV shows and films that break these rules – but ultimately this is what the mediums afford the writer to get their story across.

An interactive/digital narrative remains un-defined in how to lead a user through a story or stories. Often ego-driven, whereas I the user am in control, but can the talents of writers and directors come to life in these new channels?

In the internet only ‘Where are the Joneses’, the 2007 interactive comedy, is still the only example I can think of that tries a new method of story creation, where viewers/users help create and steer the story from a simple idea. The traditional role of a writer, as storyteller, is removed and the idea of them as ‘nurturer’ and ‘guide’ directs the story writing via forums and wiki’s.

The TV series LOST deployed cross-channel narratives. The ARG allowing fans to delve deeper, yet the primary story still lives out in the episode-by-episode format. The Dark Knight, Cloverfield etc. have all deployed ARG’s to create hype around launch and expectation. But it doesn’t actually become the story – it remains peripheral content that draws you to the primary storytelling medium.

The above-mentioned film and TV examples are for a certain type of audience – one that wants to delve deeper, to crack the code, unveil the clue and so forth. Perhaps its mobile, in the context of the shared clip, that provides us with a real opportunity to create a new type of storytelling?

Jen talks about screens, the 1st Cinema, 2nd TV, 3rd Computer and the 4th Mobile. Each screen providing the user a different experience, the first and second, sit back – the third, lean forward – and the fourth, mobile, a truly personal experience. However, does it mean we have to stay within the screen?

In the last few days IBM and OgilvyOne London launched an Android app for Wimbledon 2009. Amongst other things the app allows visitors to Wimbledon to get information on everything in their proximity. Simply point the phone and the onboard GPS, compass and camera identifies what you’re looking at. Superimposing the scores from centre court, restaurant and other location information on its screen. [see it in action here]

Forget tennis for a minute and observe how that environment is bringing a deeper experience. In the case of storytelling the environment could set the scene – and then the user explores the space to bring in pieces of the story – choosing a narrative path.

Augmented reality activated by environment throws up a world of possibility. Imagine pointing your device at the wall, you see characters whispering – the floor, a body lies motionless – you then search the rest of the space for the story. Every room, building and environment now has the opportunity to truly share its story – or one that we wish to bring to a space.

Writers and directors should be ablaze with ideas at the possibilities ‘augmented storytelling’ throws up. Whereas for me and the rest of the digital marketing world let us see how clients can fund these experiments so we can push this new and exciting space.

More…
35 augmented reality examples on Bannerblog