IOL - Week 1 - Imaginary friends

By Nick Margerison

This is Sean's imaginary friend, the Monster. I made it for him. Sean is a 2D animator interested in experimenting with live action animation (think Who Framed Roger Rabbit). The Monster does some of the things that Sean would like from an imaginary friend. It anticipates his thoughts, it gets him coffee, it helps him wake up in the morning. These photos show The Monster helping Sean with his work and going exploring to look at other people's work in the class. The Monster meets Ika and tries to hit on her for Sean. Ika likes the Monster's Galsses and thinks it's cute. It's all going well but The Monster notices Ika's fluffy eyeball earrings and is enamored. It quickly forgets about Ika and makes a move on the eyeballs. They all have a cute date together. The end.

a) how did engaging with a real person change your direction?

I am interested in exploring how games can give a player a unique experience, both in gameplay and in narrative so this was a great exercise for me, even though I was pitching an idea for Sean. I was controlling The Monster while Sean was working but I was also using discussion with Sean about what The Monster might do. This little narrative was in that sense, co-created between us and also with other participants (thanks Ika!) The Monster's response to the earrings was a lovely little improvisation.

b) what was it like showing unfinished work to another?

I had fun. Using simple materials and not giving myself the chance to make something that "looked good" was helpful. I didn't get hung up on weather the thing was aesthetically pleasing so it allowed a compelling narrative to naturally evolve.

c)how did the pace feel (quick iterative cycle)?

We got a bit left behind at one point when Sean misunderstood what he was supposed to be doing and began constructing ideaas for his own work instead of for mine but we managed to move our time back towards the right path.

d)what stage would you re-visit (do next )?

I would want to spend some more time with the 'going deeper' stage. I think it was very useful to start unpacking what it was about an 'imaginary friend' that was so compelling as a storytelling tool and there were a lot of unanswered questions there.

e) what is one thing you want to try tomorrow?

I want to think about how I can better engage people with stories through avatars in interactive storytelling. How can I create a compelling character creation process for someone to feel that their character is unique to them, that it speaks to the most familiar parts of who tey are but also challenges them, as something beyond simulation.