Interactive Narrative & Perspective [IDD 250]
A lot of my following entries to this blog will be in response to the book Pause & Effect by Mark Stephen Meadows (How much did you pay?)
I would have to say that the best way to describe (and my personal favorite) an interactive narrative would be video/computer games. They combine story telling with art (the awesome graphics we see and rave about) and interactivity. The best part about interactive narratives is the users ability to change what might happen.
As you play the character Mario attempting to save the Princess from the evil Bowser who has taken her away from her kingdom you fail to make that giant leap across burning hot lava pit and fall to your doom. You die and the Princess is gone forever, had you made that leap you would have had a chance to save the Princess from the evil claws of Bowser. Interactivity at its finest! With your characters death so ends the narrative.
Along with narratives there are different perspectives available or other points of view. They can be emotional (or cognitive) and dimensional (or visual) perspectives. Each of these perspectives can be intertwined. An example of this a camera shot looking up at a gigantic monster making it look larger than life. This would give the viewer a sense of fear and that the monster is very powerful and dominating. Now what if we reversed the camera angle so that it was looking down on this monster, as if we were as tall as the Empire State building? The monster would appear small and puny like just a toy action figure. We wouldn't fear it or even think of it as this powerful creature.
One of my classmates brings to our attention other very common forms of perspective that we see on a day-to-day basis. Valerie talks about the different perspectives that the media offers us like the tabloids and newspapers. She also relates to her own perspective and the difference she sees and feels just by putting on a pair of shoes to simulate a perspective of someone who is significantly taller than her. This shows that we each interpret perspectives differently as well. We always wonder what it would be like to look through the eyes of a dog, a cat, Shaq, Mr. President, and even our own parents so we can see what they see, however, all we can do is interpret and analyze it the best we can.
I would have to say that the best way to describe (and my personal favorite) an interactive narrative would be video/computer games. They combine story telling with art (the awesome graphics we see and rave about) and interactivity. The best part about interactive narratives is the users ability to change what might happen.
As you play the character Mario attempting to save the Princess from the evil Bowser who has taken her away from her kingdom you fail to make that giant leap across burning hot lava pit and fall to your doom. You die and the Princess is gone forever, had you made that leap you would have had a chance to save the Princess from the evil claws of Bowser. Interactivity at its finest! With your characters death so ends the narrative.
Along with narratives there are different perspectives available or other points of view. They can be emotional (or cognitive) and dimensional (or visual) perspectives. Each of these perspectives can be intertwined. An example of this a camera shot looking up at a gigantic monster making it look larger than life. This would give the viewer a sense of fear and that the monster is very powerful and dominating. Now what if we reversed the camera angle so that it was looking down on this monster, as if we were as tall as the Empire State building? The monster would appear small and puny like just a toy action figure. We wouldn't fear it or even think of it as this powerful creature.
One of my classmates brings to our attention other very common forms of perspective that we see on a day-to-day basis. Valerie talks about the different perspectives that the media offers us like the tabloids and newspapers. She also relates to her own perspective and the difference she sees and feels just by putting on a pair of shoes to simulate a perspective of someone who is significantly taller than her. This shows that we each interpret perspectives differently as well. We always wonder what it would be like to look through the eyes of a dog, a cat, Shaq, Mr. President, and even our own parents so we can see what they see, however, all we can do is interpret and analyze it the best we can.
posted by Tim A. at 11:04 PM
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