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J.J. Abrams and Valve CEO Gabe Newell Discuss Storytelling in Film vs. Video Games

02.18.13 @ 8:33PM Tags : badrobot, cinema, film, gabenewell, interactive, jjabrams, software, storytelling, valve, videogames, watch

Nowadays, major franchises get the royal treatment upon release. Some video game series are expanded with original novels or comic books between release dates. The opening of many big films occurs with novelizations and video games accompanying them. The problem is, I haven’t seen many video game adaptations I’ve been able to appreciate as good films in their own right, and all the while games seem to be getting more and more realistic. How comparable, or even compatible is storytelling between video games and movies? If anybody could figure it out, it’d be “Star Wars Episode VII director” J.J. Abrams and Valve co-founder/CEO Gabe Newell. Check out their full D.I.C.E. 2013 keynote discussion below. More »

5

Wanna Hear a Good Story? Storytelling Podcasts Screenwriters Should Check Out

08.22.12 @ 7:51PM Tags : listen, podcast, screenwriting, snapjudgment, storytelling, themoth, thisamericanlife

With this week’s limited release of Mike Birbiglia’s Sleepwalk With Me (which has apparently ruffled some feathers), a hybrid of personal memoir, storytelling and narrative film, I’m reminded of the power of a good story well told, regardless of form. As aspiring screenwriters, we should be looking beyond the boundaries of the silver screen (or computer screen, or TV screen, or mobile device) to hear how great stories captivate an audience and take them on an emotional journey. With that in mind, here are three storytelling podcasts that screenwriters should check out. More »

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Pixar's Brave Writer/Director Mark Andrews Illustrates Studio's Story Process

07.27.12 @ 9:13AM Tags : brave, markandrews, pixar, screenwriting, story, storytelling

Pixar’s relentless success at the box office with truly original tales has convinced screenwriters the world over that the animation studio holds the secret to amazing storytelling. In all honesty, hyperbole aside, Pixar does hold the secret to amazing storytelling, but they are more than willing to share it with the rest of us. Pixar’s Brave writer/director Mark Andrews took a moment to describe the studio’s story process in a phone interview podcast with ScreenwritingU’s Jenna Milly. More »

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22 Tips on Storytelling from Pixar

06.13.12 @ 1:53PM Tags : pixar, screenwriting, story, storytelling, writing

Director and Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats (@lawnrocket) recently tweeted out 22 tips for storytelling, one of which ends with “Endings are hard, get yours working up front.” From day one I always knew how I wanted Manchild to end — and throughout a year and a half of writing, the ending has never changed. Perhaps that’s why, while it is not the first feature I’ve written, it will be the first feature I actually make (more news on the project when I have some… soon). Here are the tips, handily compiled in list form: More »

8

For 21st Century Storytellers, Frank Rose's 'The Art of Immersion' is a Must-Read

06.27.11 @ 10:32AM Tags : books, frankrose, reading, storytelling, writing

I just finished reading The Art of Immersion: How the Digital Generation Is Remaking Hollywood, Madison Avenue, and the Way We Tell Stories by Wired writer Frank Rose. The book provides an overview of all the changes taking place in our connected, interactive, game-ified culture, more than justifying its lengthy title in the process. As someone who’s interested in interactive storytelling in addition to more linear film narratives, I found the book to be packed with flavor crystals of brain candy (how’s that for an endorsement?). Here’s the first chapter, free: More »