Still from More Human than Human

As I anticipate the Singularity, I selected five great books written by humans that tackle “storytelling” from as many different perspectives as possible. Together, this collection should give you a fair account of a practice that is a big part of what defines us as humans. And perhaps reading these will make you a better storyteller.

By Davide Banis

The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler

(2007; p.407)

The quote:
I realized that the good stories were affecting the organs of my body in various ways, and the really good ones were stimulating more than one organ. An effective story grabs your gut, tightens your throat, makes your heart race and your lungs pump, brings tears to your eyes or an explosion of laughter to your lips.

I’ll start with the most difficult item in this Top 5: Mr. Vogler’s monumental The Writer’s Journey. I have a love/hate relationship with this tome that is an accepted industry-standard for Hollywood creatives. On the one hand, it’s full of wondrous insights and, most importantly, it taps with clarity into some central, practical issues for storytellers. On the other, it’s the embodiment of a, so to speak, anal-retentive approach to storytelling that sacrifices creativity for the sake of well-oiled structures.

Building on Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Vogler claims that all successful stories’ plots boil down to a handful of mythical structures and character archetypes. In almost every good story, there’s a hero that goes on an adventure to fix the world assisted by a mentor.  You’re all probably familiar with this theory but it’s impressive to see how Vogler applies it to all your favorite movies.

Hamlet on the Holodeck by Janet Murray

(1998; p.336)

The quote:
The most ambitious promise of the new narrative medium is its potential for telling stories about whole systems.

If I have mixed feelings for Vogler, I have nothing but unconditional love for Janet Murray and her Hamlet on the Holodeck (hence, HoH), especially since I interviewed her for Submarine Channel back in September 2017.

HoH is nothing short of a media bible that laid the foundations for plenty of scholarly studies in the field of interactive storytelling. In particular, chapter III has been widely discussed. There, Janet Murray proposes that every “digital environment” enjoys four properties: it’s procedural, participatory, spatial, and encyclopedic.

Without indulging too much in the theory, the key point that Janet Murray understood already in the 1990s is that the main characteristic of stories in the digital age is that they are first and foremost “environments”, namely fictional worlds that fans can explore. Just think of the proliferation of world-building sagas like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones. Concretely, this means that storytellers need to equip their readers and viewers with maps so they don’t get lost in the fictional universes. Also BBC filmmaker Adam Curtis emphasized the importance of maps for contemporary storytelling in another interview that we published in October.

An updated edition of HoH was recently published. Janet Murray said that she was tempted to make the new preface three words long: “I was right!”

The Art of Immersion by Frank Rose

(2011; p. 384)

The quote:
People have always wanted to in some way inhabit the stories that move them. The only real variable is whether technology gives them that opportunity.

If HoH is the Old Testament of interactive storytelling, The Art of Immersion by Frank Rose is the New Testament. In this book, the former Wired journalist recounts the transformations that occurred in storytelling in the period of time that spans roughly from the first Matrix movie (1999) to Christopher Nolan’s Batman movie The Dark Knight (2008). Relying on a wealth of interviews with writers, studio executives, and producers, The Art of Immersion explores how business and narrative are becoming increasingly interwoven in immersive storytelling.

In this decade, the processes that Janet Murray described in HoH just accelerated. Stories left the bi-dimensional worlds of the screen and of the page to invade our real lives in the forms of ARGs, cosplay, and merchandise. As master Yogurt – a parody of Star Wars’ Yoda – says in a memorable scene of Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs: “Merchandising… where the real money from the movie is made!”

The Storytelling Animal by Jonathan Gottschall

(2012; p. 272)

The quote:
Fiction writers are fully ten times more likely to be bipolar than the general population.

Why do we spend so much time in the fictional universes described by Murray and Rose? How come it is socially acceptable for adult specimens of Homo Sapiens to engage so deeply with things that don’t even exist? American scholar Jonathan Gottschall addresses these questions in his pop-science book The Storytelling Animal. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary biology, Gottschall proposes that stories help us deal with complex real-life situations, just like pilots use flight simulators during their training. In this sense, fiction has an evolutionary value.

The Storytelling Animal is a comprehensive read with examples that run the gamut from bedtime tales to Hitler’s speeches (if you’re using the latter as the former, you’re doing it wrong). Gottschall is a lively writer and soon you’ll want more of his anti-postmodern literature theory. Not strictly about storytelling but his next book The Professor in the Cage  (“a Fight Club for English professors”) also makes for a great read.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

(2000; p. 291)

The quote:
The road to hell is paved with adverbs.

Eminent storytelling experts wrote the books that we have so far discussed. However, none of them is a storyteller first and foremost. If it’s true that sometimes a more theoretical approach can grant more lucid insights into any field of knowledge, it’s equally true that there are peculiarities that only a hands-on expertise can bring to the fore.

Stephen King’s On Writing is in this sense a unique resource for writers of all sorts. The book is at the same time a memoir, a toolbox, and a treasure trove of advice.

In the first part, the author of IT, The Shining, and Misery recounts his life from his early attempts at “the craft” to the time he created – often under the influence of drugs – his hallmark masterpieces.

The second half of the book is a practical guide to master the art of writing. No need to take drugs. At the opposite, King reels off a series of rather sober rules.

Not only humans tell stories in that storytelling masterpiece that is Alice in Wonderland. (Illustration by John Tenniel)

Orson Welles – another great storyteller – supposedly said that  “the enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” This is an additional piece of advice that it’s good for storytellers. Maybe that’s why Submarine Channel’s Top 5’s are so good. They force you to limit your choices and stick just to the best.

However, there are many more storytelling books that would be worthy of a mention beyond the 5 featured here. For example, I’m now reading Trust Me, I’m Lying by media manipulator Ryan Holiday. It’s not about writing but about the way media create stories out of thin air.  Do you know any other must-read for storytellers? Drop me a line at davide.banis@gmail.com.

It’s almost spring and while others start getting fit for swimsuit season, I start compiling my summer beach reading list.

The post Top 5 Books To Help You Succeed As A Storyteller appeared first on Submarine Channel.

I was about to give up on my vacation plans when I serendipitously bumped into Submarine Channel’s Wondrous Travel Guide 2020, a real treasure trove that gave me at least five great options for a corona-proof holiday. In these destinations, there are no lockdowns or quarantine rules whatsoever.

Here, I report for you some excerpts from the book, in case you also need some inspiration to escape the weirdest timeline we’re living in.

1) Wakanda

Wakanda [Credit: Marvel]

Golden City – the capital of the country – is probably the smartest city on earth and an avant-gardist cultural and fashion hub. The only downside is that, due to the touristic boom, Airbnb prices in the city center skyrocketed and it’s now nearly impossible to find reasonably priced accommodation.

Map of Wakanda, as elaborated by Rachel Strohm

It goes without saying that the kingdom of Wakanda is also a top “bleisure” destination. Thousands of companies worldwide are trying to hop on the “Vibranium fever” that is sweeping the tech world, making the much-discussed “blockchain technology” sound like a concept from the Middle Ages.

Safety information: due to the recent turmoils in the area known as the “Infinity War”, Wakanda is currently undergoing a delicate political phase of transition. Extreme caution is recommended when traveling.

2) The Island (Lost)

The Island of Lost [Credit: ABC]

Moreover, the failure of the Dharma Initiative projects hit hard on the local economy, resulting in high rates of youth unemployment. What was once a top opportunity for freshly-minted STEM graduates, is now struggling to put itself on the map of global tourism. And on the maps in general.

Map of the Island created by Jubran. Other maps can be found in this Tumblr

On the bright side, a couple of years ago, a group of locals that (supposedly ironically) branded themselves as “The Hostiles” started a series of projects to attract new tourists. The Dharma village has been transformed into a hip hostel (yep, you guessed it right, called “The Hosteles”) and some important archaeological sites have been restored. On top of that, Oceanic Airlines routinely offers discounted travel packages to the Island.

Recommended for: adventurous travelers, archaeology geeks.

3) Rivendell

Rivendell as seen by artist Jerry Vanderstelt  

“His house [Elrond’s] was perfect, whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Evil things did not come into that valley”.
[Description of Elrond’s house in Rivendell, from The Hobbit]

An all-time honeymoon classic, Rivendell is a perfect place for romantic gateways. Surrounded by the spectacle of a lavish nature but also by the renowned comforts of Elves’ accommodation, at Rivendell you’ll find everything you need to spend a few unforgettable days with your loved one.

Culinary tip: The Middle-Earth’s cuisine is famously nutritious and well-balanced. If you’re visiting Rivendell, you shouldn’t miss “Lembas”. Also known as “Waybread”, it’s an incredibly tasty special bread baked by the Elves. For thousands of years, the original recipe was secretly guarded but nowadays it’s freely available online, allowing everyone to have a bite of this ethereal food.

4) Westworld

Westworld is one of the six theme parks owned and operated by Delos Inc, the notorious corporation founded by Scottish billionaire James Delos.

In Westworld, visitors can immerse themselves in a perfect reenactment of a Wild West world. During their stay in the park, they’ll be able to visit villages, towns, ranches, and other points of interest. However, the main peculiarity of the park is certainly the presence of the “hosts”, lifelike androids that act as locals. By design, the hosts can’t kill or hurt in any way the guests.

As known, this measurement led to widespread abuses of the androids by the guests, as ascertained by a series of shocking documentaries about this subject. As a result, some organizations for android rights called for a massive boycott of the vacation park.

Westworld’s map (from the theme park’s official website)

5) The Good Place

Heaven. The fictional place par excellence.
Over the centuries, this exotic destination has attracted millions of enthusiastic visitors. If you’re longing for an extended period of calm and relaxation, this is the right destination for you.

In an effort to keep up with the latest developments in the travel industry, heaven underwent a re-branding process and it’s now simply marketed as “the Good Place”. It’s also increasingly easier to personalize your stay, choosing an accommodation that perfectly fits your needs and taste.

The Museum of Human Misery is a top cultural attraction of the Bad Place (or “Hell”) but it’s well worth a one-day trip

How to reach it: reaching heaven is not that easy. Unlike all the other destinations listed in this guide, money is not enough. You will also need copious amounts of good will, a bit of luck, and a death certificate not older than three days.

The post Fictional places where I wish I could go on holiday appeared first on Submarine Channel.

Soon, platforms like Zoom were brimming with all kinds of plays, from Greek tragedies to stand-up comedies. Some shows were just toned-down replacements of the real deal, others were daring narrative experiments pushing the boundaries of online storytelling.

Thanks to Electric Dreams, a festival dedicated to the power of art and the internet running online until the 16th of August, I had the opportunity to discover some plays that clearly fall into the latter category. Far from being conventional theater productions, they’re immersive and interactive stories mixing theater, games and video calling.

In the not-so-distant future, we might be able to crowd physical theaters again, but hopefully the production of the kind of innovative, hybrid plays showcased at Electric Dreams will not peter out. Here, I gathered five experiences from the online festival that are well-worth your time and money.

1) Escape Zoom

Escape Zoom [Credit: Coney]

One of the best things about Escape Zoom is that you’re teamed up with other participants you don’t know and that adds a whole new layer to the experience. I played it with two brothers from the United Kingdom and had a blast cracking codes, clapping hands (long story) and researching obscure maritime history. You can book your ticket here.

2) Plymouth Point

Plymouth Point [Credit: Swamp Motel]

Plymouth Point is an immersive detective game by Swamp Motel that exploits this feature of the internet to make you (and your friends—the game is playable by a group of up to six people) feel like an online Sherlock Holmes. The experience starts on Zoom where you’re welcome by a concerned neighborhood watch member who tells you that a woman, Ivy, is missing. Following Ivy’s digital crumbs, you leave Zoom and gain access to Ivy’s mailbox. From then on, it’s a race against the clock (you have a bit more than an hour) to untangle the mystery of Ivy’s disappearance. Google Maps, YouTube videos, Wiki pages, social media….Plymouth Point has it all. You can book a ticket here.

3) The House Never Wins

The House Never Wins [Kill the Cat Theatre]

Think of a night in Vegas meets climate crisis awareness meets the prisoner’s dilemma. All on Zoom. With a stream of messages overloading your WhatsApp. If this doesn’t feel like your ideal night “out,” your loss (quite literally).

The work was originally conceived for a live audience but the porting to the digital realm feels fresh and inspired. You can book a ticket here. 

4) The Believers are But Brothers

The Believers are But Brothers [Credit: Javaad Alipoor]

The show is multilayered, both at the level of content (ranging from very personal stories to geopolitical analysis) and at the level of media employed (spanning from message boards like 4chan to chats like WhatsApp). Furthermore, The Believers are but Brothers is one of those pieces of storytelling that are great at using the narrative affordances of the media they employ to discuss the societal impact of those media (in this case, a WhatsApp group is used as a narrative device to explore how radicalization happens on chat groups). You can book a ticket for November 2020 here

5) The Homes We Build

The Homes We Build [Credit: Twin Alchemy]

You don’t necessarily need to play it with someone you have a relationship with as you can just make up a fictional character by following a detailed guideline provided by the organizers. Also, romantic moments like kissing or having sex are replaced by different game mechanics.

The experience is conceived to be very open and has the potential of being very deep and transformative, sort of a psychedelic trip without the need of dropping any acid… You can secure a ticket here (you can do the experience at your own time, on the date indicated on the ticket you’ll just receive an intro to the show)

The post Best of Electric Dreams: Online theater that doesn’t suck appeared first on Submarine Channel.