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Narrative Constellations: Exploring Choice, Time, and Location-based Storytelling

Teachers
April Soetarman, Lee Beckwith
Date
Section 1: January 12, 2025 to March 23, 2025
Section 2: January 14, 2025 to March 25, 2025

(10 classes)
Time
Section 1: Sundays, 2:30-5:30pm ET (No class on January 19th) Section 2: Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30pm ET
Location
Online (Zoom)
Cost
$1200 Scholarships available learn more...
Deadline
Applications open until November 17, 2024

Apply Now

Description

Narrative Constellations: Exploring Choice, Time, and Location-based Storytelling is a class for artists and writers wanting to explore storytelling through  choice, time, and location-based narratives across different mediums, from objects to spaces to sunsets. From choose-your-own-adventure books to video games to immersive theater, we’ll explore stories that change and adapt according to the player’s choices. We’ll create our own interactive narratives through a series of small physical and digital projects, with a final project to play and share. Lecture topics will include a survey of various types of physical and digital interactive storytelling, including narrative installations, immersive theater, mail-based art, immersive audio and phone plays, and location-based game design. This class will teach Twine, an open-source tool for creating web-based interactive nonlinear stories. This class will also cover audience safety and care; choice and story structures; ending construction; and documentation.

Outcomes

Schedule

No class on January 19th

Class Structure

  • This class is part creative writing and part interactive game design across multiple mediums.
  • There will be short creative writing prompts for each class and a series of 3-5 small projects that explore a survey of physical and digital interactive storytelling.
  • There will be an optional NYC-based field trip/meetup.

Course of Study

  • Week 1: Introductions
  • Week 2: Traditional and Non-Traditional Story Formats - Beyond Linear, Climax-Driven Narratives
  • Week 3: Story Structures; Survey of Interactive Storytelling; Vulnerability and Safety in Interactive Work; Branching Narratives and Choice
  • Week 4: Time as an Essential Mechanic in Art and Games
  • Week 5: Location as an Essential Mechanic in Art and Games
  • Week 6: Twine Part 1 - Branching Story Structures with Player Choices
  • Week 7: Twine Part 2; Production Case Studies; Introduction to the Final Project
  • Week 8: Guest Lecture; 1:1 feedback time
  • Week 9: Documenting Interactive Work; 1:1 feedback time; Playtesting
  • Week 10: Final Project Presentations

Expectations

  • Participants should be comfortable with reading, writing, and submitting assignments in English. Projects can be created in other languages as long as translation is provided for teachers.
  • Participants are expected to spend approximately 1-3 hours per week outside of class on assignments (readings, playing free/low-cost games with free video walkthroughs, small prompts and reflections, and projects).
  • The final showcase will include documenting and sharing a final project.

Technical Experience

  • Participants do not have to be proficient in a particular topic, but should have a curiosity and willingness to experiment and explore.
  • Some basic HTML/CSS/Javascript is involved as part of Twine, but no previous coding experience required.
  • Small projects will be a mix of physical and digital media.

Materials

Laptop with webcam, smart device with audio player and camera, headphones, basic craft materials (paper, markers, etc).

Is this class for me?

This class is for:

  • Artists who are interested in storytelling
  • Writers who want to try writing interactive stories
  • Folks who enjoy stories and games, and want to explore different ways they can be crafted

Meet the Teachers

teacher

April Soetarman

April Soetarman (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist, designer, and writer who creates public art, immersive installations, games, and weird side projects. Her site-responsive works play with the language of everyday objects and speculative institutions to explore complex human emotions. Her installations have been supported by the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and CultureHub, among others, as well as anonymously installed in dozens of public spaces across the country. April was also known for WeirdSideProjects.com, her previously-anonymous series of ongoing experiments in code, text, and street art. Her most notable projects include The Museum of Almost Realities (2017), The Department of Emotional Labor (2019), and The End of the Day (2020). April has a BA in architecture and music from UC Berkeley and was an Experiential Design Founding Fellow at Experience Institute.

she/her · website · twitter · instagram

teacher

Lee Beckwith

Lee 소라 Beckwith is sometimes an educator but always a learner. They currently teach high schoolers computer science, math, and creative writing on Lenape land (Bronx, NY). Their recent research centers on rethinking classroom power dynamics through curriculum negotiation. These days, they are thinking a lot about fractals and film scores.

they/them · website · instagram

How do I apply?

Apply Now

Applications open until Applications closed on November 17, 2024.

You can expect to hear back from us about the status of your application on December 3, 2024. Please email us at admissions@sfpc.study with any questions you have.

How much does it cost to attend?

For 10 classes, it costs $1200 + $12.26 in processing fees, for a one-time payment. We also offer payment plans. Participants can schedule weekly or monthly payments of the same amount. First and last payments must be made before the start and end of class. *Processing fees apply for each payment.

SFPC processes all payments via Withfriends and Stripe. Please email admissions@sfpc.study if these payment options don't work for you.

Applicant FAQ

For more information about what we look for in applicants, scholarships, and other frequently asked questions, please visit our applicant FAQ.

Interested in more learning opportunities at the School for Poetic Computation? Join our newsletter to stay up to date on future sessions and events, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. Support our programming through scholarships. Get in touch over email.