FILM AF 9315
Fall 2017
Mondays 6-9pm
Prof. Lance Weiler
What if we built an immersive storytelling experience that modeled negative conversations and behaviors found on social media platforms? Inside of this environment, situations quickly escalate. But this time, we would be able to do something about it.
Imagine a space where a diversity of participants work together through story, play, design and collaboration to de-escalate situations that stem from misunderstanding and polarization. To create this “Escalation Room” we’ll harness emerging technologies, storytelling, collaborative methodologies and field research to design and build an innovative immersive storytelling experience that can scale.
Teams of 5 to 6 students will work to design, build and deploy a digital storytelling experience modeled on data derived from research conducted by SAFELab within the school of social work. SAFELab's research examines a rise in real world violence linked to social media behavior. At the end of the semester, we will stage our escape room for the public.
This course combines project work, mentors, and collaborative methods to create a dynamic, hands-on environment that mixes story, code and experience design. It will guide students through a design process uniquely tailored for experiential environments, combining elements at the cutting edge of immersive storytelling in film, gaming, theater, and emerging technology. In addition, teams will have the opportunity to share work and receive feedback from working industry professionals, across a variety of disciplines.
Open to Columbia graduate students by application. Accepted students will be notified by email with registration information prior to the fall semester.