StoryWorld Quest is a three-day conference in Edmonton, Alberta Canada that discussed the latest in storyworld design and telling, bringing together experts from the digital, film, television and transmedia spaces. Keynotes, panels and open forum discussions took place that defined the latest in narrative strategies with insights from filmmakers, producers, technologists, broadcasters, developers, game designers, writers, academics, and marketing executives. Here is just a brief recap and key takeaways that stood out in my mind. For more about me, visit http://mattdoh.com

1. CONTENT CREATORS & TECHNOLOGISTS CREATING THE FUTURE OF NEW MEDIA
OCTOBER 24 - 26, 2014
EDMONTON, ALBERTA CANADA
Conference Recap
What today’s storytellers &
makers need to know
RECAP BY MATT DOHERTY @THEMATTDOH HTTP://MATTDOH.COM

2. What’s Storyworld Quest?
A three-day conference that discussed the latest in storyworld
design and telling, bringing together experts from the digital, film,
television and transmedia spaces.
Keynotes, panels and open forum discussions took place that defined
the latest in narrative strategies with insights from filmmakers,
producers, technologists, broadcasters, developers, game designers,
writers, academics, and marketing executives.
Here is just a brief recap and key takeaways that stood out in my mind.

3. The Connected Audience
We can learn a lot from how marketing agencies connect with their
consumers and apply this thinking to how the storyworlds we create
connect with our audiences.
Building an “audience” centered organization needs:
• Connection: make a lasting connection with the audience member
• Curation: let the audience discover content by properly curating the
right types of content your target likes to engage with
• Content: have your content meet their expectations to drive increased
engagement
• Audience Preferences: let the audience shape the value of the
experience and you’ll create an advanced relationship with them
“REACHING THE CONNECTED CONSUMER AND YOUR AUDIENCE”, LISA COULMAN, PWC

4. Projected Storytelling
What’s a sexier way to say role-playing?
Projected Storytelling.
Think of all those times when you were a kid playing with your favorite franchised
toys. You started telling your own stories through G.I. Joe, Mighty Morphin’ Power
Rangers or Barbie. You projected yourself through these characters.
Anytime we “play” with our toys we’re projecting extended stories of those
characters’ worlds and becoming part of the larger narrative at hand.
“THE FUTURE IS NOW: CONTENT STRATEGY FOR MULTIPLE PLATFORMS”, MARK SWIERSZCZ, BELL MEDIA

5. Three Levels Up
Give your story room to explore.
If you start with your story in a city, think of what state, country and
continent the narrative inhabits. Give yourself a world with the ability
to grow. Think bigger.
Don’t stay stuck in the city.
“THE ART OF CREATING A ROBUST STORYWORLD”, HOUSTON HOWARD

6. Disrupted Nostalgia
We used to go to parties and retell stories from ten to fifteen years
ago, reveling in those moments. Now we bond over what happened
15 minutes ago.
Points of reference of nostalgia and culture have been disrupted.
Bridging timelines of all types in our stories is acceptable.
“THE FUTURE IS NOW: CONTENT STRATEGY FOR MULTIPLE PLATFORMS”, MARK SWIERSZCZ, BELL MEDIA

7. New Art Arises from
Emerging Tech
The novel exists because the cost of paper became cheaper. Movies exist
because someone invented the camera. When we make technology, we make
new forms of content consumption.
New advancements in technologies also change our human behaviors and
definitions of tools and objects of the past. A map used to be a way in which you
were told directions to a destination. Now Google Maps lets you know the exact
time it will take for you to get to your destination (and directions too).
Exploit tech’s capabilities. Use it to innovate the past.
“IT STARTS WITH THE STORY”, MAUREEN MCHUGH

8. Winning Should Not Be Losing
You have to think through every, single, motive and action your
audience members will take and be prepared for it. Because if you
don’t, the inevitable will happen to your story. The complete loss of
control and utter breakdown, like the death of your beloved
character, can happen, even if your story is a hit.
Winning should not be losing.
“IT STARTS WITH THE STORY”, SEAN STEWART, XBOX ENTERTAINMENT STUDIO

9. Authenticity VS Anonymity
We live in a conflicting world of anonymity and authenticity. We have the
freedom to voice our opinions and live anonymously online, but at the same
time that freedom is taken advantage of. Audiences need authentic voices.
This creates trolls, lurking, and negative environments that impact the stories
we want to tell. You have to ask yourself, how do you filter engagements? What
kind of comments by anonymous players are allowed and what’s too far?
What kind of posts are harmful to the story at large?
It’s a careful balance and a handicap you must acknowledge as we develop
our storyworlds across any genre of storytelling.
“USING SOCIAL & ONLINE TO ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE”