I’m currently working on digital co-op game funded by VicScreen, a boardgame version, storytelling card game and improv show format, as well as multiple non-fiction books. I’ve consulted on zero and multi-million dollar budget projects, for filmmakers, doco makers, game makers, novelists, playwrights, arts organisations, institutions, and more. I’m currently consulting on multiple kids games and a feature film.
Process Consult
Keen to make a change in how you create but not sure how? I’ve researched, used, and developed a wide range of techniques and tools to deal with problems that emerge when we’re doing creative development and production in general, and specifically non-status quo storytelling.
- Realign Your Design With Your Values: A lot of folks are using design orthodoxy, which only matches a portion of what some people value. In this consult, we’ll determine what you value (using a third-party, anonymous tool) and check that against the design methods & techniques you use. If they match, we’ll discuss ways to heighten and add more. If they don’t match, we’ll go over methods & techniques that do!
- Anti-Authoritarian Check: Extreme, oppressive states come about in part because certain communication habits are normalised in our every and in our entertainment. In this consult, we’ll check how you deliver tasks to your team and how your characters talk to each other, to determine where you can make adjustments for a more democractic creative culture and creative works.
- Meaningful Design: Design orthodoxy trains creatives to think that their methods and techniques are apolitical and abstracted from you and your world. In this consult, we’ll discuss your process, and come up with custom tools to build meaning into the design processes for yourself and your audience/players.
Story Design Troubleshoot
Love to have someone to troubleshoot curly problems you’re dealing with, and don’t want to be shoehorned into status quo design or something that doesn’t suit your developed or emerging style? Book me for an hour, two hours, or recurring sessions (which is what most end up doing!), to troubleshoot creative ideas and methods.
Besides my knowledge and experience of different storytelling approaches across games, film, TV, and theatre, I’m adept at connecting with your personal goals, creative style, genre, artform, impact goal, and audience. I work with solo writers who love our on-demand mini writers room, and also come in as a guest into an existing writers’ room to troubleshoot specific issues the team are dealing with.
I also know wonderful colleagues around the world and can point you to folks more suited.
Interactivity Consult or Mentoring
New to interactivity, or digital interactivity specifically? I was, too! I came from a theatre, TV, and film background to interactivity. I draw on these experiences to do the bridge work. I’m active in making digital and tabletop games (original and commissioned), so I can speak about the current landscape. I work with filmmakers, TV makers, theatre makers, novelists, participatory artists, and more, so I’m exposed to what others are experiencing currently, too. I give you tailored insights into how to adapt to an interactivity mindset, interative storytelling, thematic mechanics, dialogue design, player experiences, the processes involved, tools, and more.
Book a workshop or talk
I run one of my existing workshops or one developed just for you. Or, I give a public or private talk at your festival, conference, or organisation. I’ve given keynotes and run workshops at film, game, and literary events around the world, for urban and regional writer centres, institutions, and companies.