Customer Reviews

Digital Storytelling: A Creator's Guide to Interactive Entertainment

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DIGITAL STORYTELLING
Carolyn Handler Miller

From sitting in front of the camp fire to sitting in front of a computer, story-telling has always been rewarding, yet often frustrating. The challenges of telling a story using different media, particularly a new one, can be intimidating, especially to someone who wasn't born with a mouse in their mouth.

Not to worry, though, for in the first chapter of Carolyn Miller's book, she lays those concerns to rest by noting that interactive stories are similar to myths, rituals, and games. I immediately felt better and dove right into this comprehensive book.

DIGITAL STORYTELLING is valuable on a number of levels.
It's a scholarly revue and investigation of interactive media and thus an excellent resource for researchers.
It explains the terminology and theories.
It offers specific tools for digital storytelling development of plot, structure, and characters.
It has guidelines for specific uses of digital storytelling such as information, education, and advertising.
Children's projects have their own helpful chapter.

As a story consultant moving more into games design work, and as a writer desiring to keep up with the latest techniques and technologies, I know I'll be reaching for DIGITAL STORYTELLING a lot. And I know I'll always find it a rich resource of information and inspiration.

This book brings clarity to a complex and often confusing subject. After co-writing several CD-ROM games, I thought I knew what I needed to know about interactive entertainment. This book made me realize how much more there is to this world and the vast potential that's there for creating new forms of entertainment and education. Instead of making you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities, Ms. Miller lays it all out for you in ways that are not only informative but actually inspirational. The chapters are well organized and the real-world examples are plentiful. On the one hand, it's an indespensible reference for anyone who writes (or wants to write) interactive material. On the other, it works as a muse, helping you to see things in a new light and often sparking ideas. It's a must for those who want to work in this field.

DIGITAL STORYTELLING is a seminal text for the study of interactive narrative. It is the first book to thoroughly examine this new art form. In my experience as a college instructor in media arts I have found few works that discuss the universe of interactive media in a such a comprehensive fashion. Miller covers the cutting edge of wireless media, virtual reality, interactive television, mltiplayer online games and interactive cinema, in addition to electronic kiosks and DVDs. She even offers a chapter on the fascinating world of "smart toys". I believe her case studies to be particularly useful to students.

The book also includes an invaluable section on such "big pictures" subjects as character development, dialog, point of view, and structure, examing how these essential elements of narrative are impacted by interactivity. Also included is a meaty chapter on the development process, which details the various types of documents that are generated during the creation of a work on interactive narrative.

To put the subject of digital storytelling in perspective, Miller introduces the book with a provocative chapter on the various types of interactive narrative that existed long before computers were ever invented, and suggests what these old forms of storytelling can still teach us today. The book concludes with a practical discussion on career issues, and offers a full glossary of new media terms. Highly readable, I believe Miller's DIGITAL STORYTELLING would be useful even to those already working in the field, as well as students or anyone interested in the future of interactive storytelling.

"Digital Storytelling is an engaging, informative,and necessary toolkit for anyone venturing out onto the new frontier of interactive entertainment. It is a well-structured, content-rich, and at times facinating look into the world of interactive entertainment. As an author, business, and intellectual property owner, I found Digital Storytelling to be a timely and invaluable asset to my business. I fully expect that it will become required reading in this fast emerging industry."

Valerie Rose
CEO Roses Are READ Productions

A thoughtful, comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of interactive media. The screen captures, urls, and illustrative case studies that populate the pages of this cleverly-written book help the reader to develop a deep and practical understanding of the subject matter. Proof of the pudding: I'm using it myself, as a resource on a cutting-edge, interactive project that I'm spearheading. I highly recommend it.

Digital Storytelling by Carolyn Handler Miller is the best book in the vast field of interactive writing. After reading it I was thrilled at how informative and easy-to-understand it was for me. Miller's writing is clear and concise and will help not only the novice but the experieced professional as well. I strongly recommend Digital Storytelling for all writers who want to learn about every phase of interactive writing, plus writing in general. In fact, I consider Digial Storytelling to be the Bible in its field and a wonderful reference book to have next to your computer.

Carolyn Miller has created a necessary guide to the world of digital storytelling. Interactivity needs Carolyn Miller's expertise to study and explore the future of the Entertainment and Information Industries.

The traditional media has overlooked the field of game creation and interactive storytelling. It is about time that the Universities and the General Public understand the tremendous impact the Interactive Revolution has had on the new generations. Digital Storytelling has a bright future. Carolyn Miller's book has given this digital sphere a solid foundation from which to grow.

Lynn Rogoff, Professor and Game Creator "Pony Express Rider" AMERIKIDS USA

Carolyn Handler Miller, a pioneer in the field, covers all the bases for anyone working in interactive media and/or interested in new forms of storytelling. With Miller's lively writing style and photos, it's a great read as well.

Dr. Linda Seger, author and script consultant

With so many forms of entertainment media, it was only a matter of time before a book like DIGITAL STORYTELLING would hit the shelves -- and boy, is it a welcome addition! With a mixture of interviews, personal experience and wonderful insight, Miller gives us a thorough, in-depth look at the more popular forms of digital entertainment, providing valuable, useful and productive information. This definitely is a book whose time has come...and none too soon!

Digital Storytelling is an extremely comprehensive and thoroughly enjoyable guide to opportunities in interactive entertainment. Early descriptions of stories of antiquity, shared religious rituals, and games quickly draw the reader into the universal nature of interactive storytelling. Expert and valuable advice about character and story development is organized in such as way that the book is equally accessible whether read cover-to-cover or consulted as a user's guide by topic. Questions to be answered are presented at the beginning of each chapter, and idea-generating exercises appear at each chapter's end, thus making the book itself a superb interactive tool. Identfication of common errors committed in creating a new interactive work, tips for career development, and a comprehensive glossary and numerous references to other works on screenwriting and related areas complete this very necessary resource for anyone interested in the field.