Panelists ponder storytelling, franchises

Discussion in the closing sections from the Variety Entertainment Application Conference on Thursday switched towards the role of storytelling within the digital space and just how entertainment franchises could be extended within the digital realm. In the mid-day "Application Franchise" panel, Chris Hewish, mind of worldwide interactive at DreamWorks Animation, reflected around the partnership that produced a version of mobile-device game "Fruit Ninja" starring Puss in Boots, in the "Shrek" toon world. He stated the task ended up being to integrate the 2 galaxies in ways which was significant towards the audiences for qualities. "We wouldn't simply do something which would cheapen both brands," Hewish stated. "We actually want to make certain they could create something which was an incremental improvement and additive for their game." The ultimate panel during the day, "The Designers," investigated the role of storytelling within the digital space. Matt Kozlov, Boss of mobile entertainment writer Moonshark, centered on the necessity to create engaging figures, that they reported as "the main reason your children all have (the) 'Talking Tom Cat' (application) and also the 'Virtual Pet' series. It is the same factor that made us wish to have fun with figures within the 1980s." Alex Barkaloff, executive producer of digital media at Lionsgate, talked about how figures in the existing studio's qualities, for example AMC's "Mad Males," may be built-into different platforms. "Where would Don Draper purchase a steak or find an Traditional?" Barkaloff recommended like a concept to have an application associated with the series. "It is a merge of Foursquare and also the backstory in our figures." While panelists famous existing models for storytelling and character rise in the area of mobile programs, some stated there's lots of space for growth which the very best jobs are still in the future. "Has anybody nailed it with interactive filming around the iPad? Not whatsoever, not," stated Dustin Callif, founding father of the development company Tool. "There is a major chance to perform a new kind of story." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com