One Step Closer to an Interactive Future

I’ve written before about video games as the future of entertainment.  I have another post brewing in me about the difficulty of merging the active video game experience with the passive entertainment experience we’re already familiar with (primarily the printed or moving image).

I just read a preview for a new XBOX 360 game called Alan Wake.  Read the preview here.

The game seems to offer a more matured story experience than what we’ve seen in the past, and that’s already a good sign as far as serious artists getting involved  in the craft.

But what caught my eye are the mentions of product placement.  Energizer batteries, for one, and an unnamed car company.

If this works, then I think we can expect to see a lot more of this in the future, and perhaps see much of the advertising dollars that have dwindled from television and print rush into this new medium.

Remember, no one was interested in California, new medicines, or that sticky gunk called “oil” until someone figured out how to make money from them.  Right now, video games have only tapped the existing models of income used by books and movies: develop a product, and sell it to consumers.

But if the video game — a fixed form product — could tap into the advertising model that supports the constantly-renewing products like newspapers and television, the potential revenue could be staggering.

SFWA Members: I Need Your Help to win a Bradbury

So last night — at 10 PM — I received a message saying Disconnect has been nominated for a Ray Bradbury award (given out at the Nebulas each year for “best dramatization”).

So that dropped my jaw.

Then I find out: in order to make it to the finalist’s list, I need enough nominations to make it to the top six.

So basically — I need a hand from my Science Fiction Writers of America friends.

Today is the LAST DAY for voting for the Ray Bradbury Award (as well as for the rest of the Nebulas).

If you are a member of SFWA, and haven’t yet voted (or are willing to change yours for an independent piece), consider placing a vote for “Stranger Things (Episode 5: “Disconnect”), Earl Newton (Writer/Director).”  If you haven’t yet watched the episode, you can see it here for free: Disconnect (20 mins).

Click here to vote (you’ll need your SFWA username and password).  LInk provided by a friendly (and supportive) SFWA member.

This is completely a last-minute discovery, but if it would actually happen, just being a finalist among films like District 9 and Avatar would open some doors here in Los Angeles.

If you do vote for it, let me know, so I can owe you huge favors in the future.

About beauty stereotypes…

When you wonder why we see such a limited number of examples of “beauty” in mainstream culture, remember that it is not in the interest of big business to encourage niche audiences.

Touchdown: Los Angeles

Posting will be a little erratic for the next two weeks or so, as I get settled into a new living situation in Los Angeles.  I’ve got a feature film I’m working to put together, as well as the Stranger Things DVD, so my time will be a bit sapped.

That said, expect more pieces coming soon.  LA gives one a lot of food for thought.

New Category: Notable Links

I added a new category to the site, “Notable Links.”

Should be pretty self-explanatory.

While we’re here, it’s a good time to explain some of the category structures I’m using for the site.

Continue Reading…

What I Did for Summer Vacation

From August 11th to October 9th, I was on the road shooting Job Corps locations around the country. It was a trip of approximately 4,986 miles, during which I saw 18 states, 12 different hotel chains, three dying or dead cities, and one sexual rendezvous in an Iowa gas station bathroom.

Check below the jump for the Google Map.

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A Question about Stranger Things DVD

I posted this on Twitter at on September 14, 2009, at 6:50 PM EST:

How many of you would be interested in a numbered, limited-edition Stranger Things package that would include:

• A Stranger Things DVD with Episodes 1-4, and bonus content galore
  
• A documentary about Stranger Things, especially the move from low-budget show to TV in 14 months
• An e-book containing extensive notes regarding the show and the people, along with script excerpts and other materials
• A graphic novel version of an unproduced episode
• A gorgeous 11×17 print of a painting inspired by the series
• Also, branded swag like jump drives and more
• All of this, of course, will be signed.
  

Would you be interested in that?

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NY Times: “Indies Going Solo”

The New York Times posted this article today: Independent Filmmakers Distribute on Their Own. (Thanks to Joshua Smith for the link)

More than ever, it’s the wild west out there now.  Right now, studios are less and less interested in developing new material, turning back again and again to remakes and derivatives of pre-existing properties.

As a storyteller, that scares me, not because of any artistic choice, but because once any industry stops investing in the future, they start digging their own grave.

Continue Reading…

Site Update

Finishing up a project for our San Franciscan Friends this week. Recent events have inspired two posts, will be putting them up shortly.

I’ve updated the site with a couple nifty items this week:

A search bar, and I’m working on adding auto-fill later.

Updated the tag system with a more visually-interesting “cloud,” versus the text block

Added a Related Posts function: I have enough posts now to warrant cross-referencing. I’m using an auto-generator plug-in, so the results may vary a bit as I fine-tune it. Let me know if it starts referencing you to anything wonky.

Some of these new additions are supposed to be a bit of a tax on the system, so if you notice any lag or delays, let me know.

Me, on a Tweet-Shirt?

So apparently there’s a competition to get notable Tweet sayings on T-shirts.

Also apparently, @cbelier nominated a favorite Tweet of mine from July 2008.

I’m not sure what to make of this, but I’ll admit it’s kind of an ego-stroke, so I’m game to play if you are. Click the link below, and if you like what I wrote, vote on it.  It’s literally one click to vote. You don’t have to register or anything.

Read What I Wrote and Vote