Graham Stephens
I am a retired professional learning skills in storytelling techniques using a range of technologies.
This covers stagecraft modelling, photographic image capture as well as video and sound recording.
Location I live in Teddington close to London
Achievements
Activity
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Graham Stephens made a comment
The course was useful and provided areas that are with exploring
Thank you. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
Life is full of challenges. That is what interactive storytelling is about. Sharing experiences and learning how to adapt them to suit your own objectives and spheres of influence .
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I’m retired.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I keep playing with the technology and have fun.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Have fun.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I have retired and pruned my LinkedIn and just look to see how some of my old contemporaries are surviving.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Well there is a spectrum of ideas. I have a new creative garage in which I experiment with different methodologies of interactive storytelling.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Both interviews provide Fact or Fiction storytelling opportunities. However what is the agenda for audiences or players? Is it to have fun, escape the real world, learn through experiencing different environments. Wicked questions with evil answers.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Each of the above comments are like peeling an onion. The multiple layers of skills necessary to create something that will attract audience and player appeal.
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Nano studios can provide cost effective solutions to the demand of presenting stories in an ever demanding screen technology.
The investment in a bespoke creative studio provides the capability to develop new ER worlds. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
The key word is stories. Original creative content is required.
Screens represent visual content but the other senses need to be addressed in order to become real world. The funny thing is we already live in our own real world.
Thus to expand our horizons and broaden our spheres of influence we need improve our science and technology. This is called evolution. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
What is the storytelling point?
I have been on real life tours of museums and those given by ZOOM in far away countries. The. Battle does make a step change in thinking,.
However my comments are on deaf ears. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
The concept of Extended Reality looks very promising.
XR =MR(VR+AR)
To achieve this requires experimenting with retro and future technology.
Good game..
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Well this was great fun and demonstrated lots of fresh ideas. The Battle of Bannockburn experience has lots of potential baring in mind the development was 2014 and technology has moved on. Command and control systems using 3-D mapping Light detection and ranging comes into the frame. Especially when you overlay scenarios. I have recently handed over my...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I have used augmented reality to create special effects.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I used VR with the War of the Words experience which did have a disorient effect due to the vibration/movement back pack.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Whilst the above cinema offerings are interesting, I did attend a fully immersive experience in on 1 June 2019.
This was Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds Experience located in the city of London close to the Gurkin.
You entered a Steampunk bar that was overshadowed by a Martian tripod. In groups of about 12, you move trough a submarine door into the briefing... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
The future of storytelling in various formats is time dependent due to influencing factors of the day. These factors include social, cultural, economic, technological. The common denominator is attitude. Whilst one can look at the big picture the devil is always in the detail. An inn depth understanding of how to portray stories that are sympathetic to...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Fun
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Job done and deleted……
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Salina is class> a class act> learning the trade in a tough industry> she is a tough gal> an achiever> going with the flow> ducking and diving> a creative who will get to where she wants.
A DREAM class player……………………………………………… -
Graham Stephens made a comment
{#}@“. >>>>>>>>>>
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Got the many T shirts….
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Animation manifest itself in different ways. Steamboat Willie did pipe movement with sound. Morphing moved into a new elastic dimension of three dimensional modelling ..Photoshooting Morph is a challenge you do need to know. Meanwhile …CGI I will just regard as has-bin-faking-it. MIND YOU THERE IS SOME OTHER MAGIC ONE CAN DO………….
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Well it seems that there is a massive amount of opportunities for those who have creative talent or are willing to learn.
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Yep. That is why one needs nano creative studios with appropriate technology
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Good fun:)))
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Fun! Ingenuity is the mother of invention. Thus to solve wicked problems through unique playability is a creative way to learn.
Ping Pong was a simple but not easy game that was novel. Variations appeared of this approach. Space Invaders, Tetris to name a few.
Moving onto current video gaming the other categories gain more importance and storyline,...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
This is where I through a spanner in the works. Computer games that act as simulators, first person shooters, adventure, strategy are fine.
I still have some retro kit and given away lots.
However physical board gaming has a more social appeal.
Warhammer has evolved since the 80’s and has a sort of Dungeons and Dragons appeal.
It has the advantage of... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
Interactive games have evolved through storytelling content, character creation and a plot that changes direction through the action of one or many players.
The BBC micro was the platform for a game called Elite. This was a wire framed, strategy and space adventure game. You increased your status by improving your capabilities as a miner, trader, fighter or...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I-CON(Bluff or Idol)3 Story Arc
The Paris Game
A class of young creatives escape from Art Deco New York to Film Noir Paris.Following the loss of SIR and the retirement of MADAM, the DREAM class faces climate change caused by Artificial General Intelligence upsetting natural creativity.
Smart Paris turns dark as the populist revolution takes on a...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I-CON(Bluff or Idol?)2 Story Arc
The New York Game
MADAM and the DREAM PACK of X,Y,Z creatives moves on from Steampunked London to Smart city New York.
They stay at Gothic Hotel Chelsea for creatives in rooms that reflect their outstanding SKILLS.
MADAM neutralises Artificial General Intelligence as DREAM PACK play the Big CON and New DIMENSION game.... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
A ‘Sci-Fantasy Drama’ based on Fake reality and Punk fiction.
I-CON(Bluff or Idol?)1 Story Arc
The London Game
Where an old school creative director (SIR) and new-deal MADAM need to save natural creativity from Artificial General Intelligence.
He, with MADAM, sets up a DREAM class of young creatives that play the London game by solving wicked... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
This is about the most interesting session so far. The podcast links do demonstrate the power of podcasting how it is done stories. In addition they offer more in-depth, time-now understanding of todays influences in the creating of storytelling through the medium of gaming. Some of the articles have been created 2023.
My interest in core Transmedia...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
A story system that this interactive needs to be organic with characters that have interwoven story arcs that interweave their experiences. A story arc is a journey that can have multiple start and endings depending upon the decisions made by the characters. Multiple protagonists and antagonists will provide a more complex and immersive experience when you get...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Each entry has demonstrated that a lot of thought has gone into them. Pitching a story sounds simple but is not easy.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Back to the future recollections and predictions of real life moments
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Graham Stephens made a comment
The magic of cinema started with documentaries that captured moving images that were a commentary of the class differences of society at that time.
They moved onto the fancies of man travelling to the moon. This was a step change in storytelling that involved stimulating the imagination through the production design of stage, fashion and character actors.... -
Ready, steady go>>>>
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Good fun.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
After seven careers, I have acquired the necessary capabilities to have fun in completing my hobby project.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Firstly I am not surprised by what Sarah -Jane has said and the enthusiasm it which she says it.
What is my goal? Well i have created a core Transmedia story in a range of formats for screenplay, book, podcast and gaming. It is a hobby that has evolved over 20 years and reflects both practical experience and FL learnings.
Will is ever get produced? Yes...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
There needs to be a passion for creating something on stage or screen.
I have developed many professional and artistic skills. The artistic skills included model making, cartooning and animation. I use old skool craftsmanship as well as new deal computer, photographic, filming and sound recording technology. I successfully used them during my careers,... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
My last career that involved the safe and secure move t of people to and from major events in London provided me with the opportunity of using my photographic, filming and recording skills. The objective was to demonstrate the planning and preparation work before, during and after such major events. During that time I had great fun working with people from...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I now create stuff as a hobby -for fun.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Looking at the reports is sad reading and the industry like most industries have much to do to address the imbalance in equality and diversity. The first step is to understand the challenge and not go into denial as if it does not if it does not exist. Awareness is fundamental and another course by the University of Michigan - Storytelling for social change...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
The Sicilian based detective TV series Montalbano was produced with sub titles in 2012. The episodes had a full spectrum of characters. There were at least two women who were involved in the crime drama. Each episode had strong women characters that influenced the plot as criminals or the victims of crime. It covered all the gende r issues prevalent and the...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
The creative gaming industry is massive and mirrors storytelling opportunities with those of the film and TV industries. After all they are screened. It started in arcades and moved to consoles and other mobile screen devices. Whilst programming is a key differential, it does provide a similar creative story telling mechanism of action and reaction, cause and...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
As stated above the screen industry has a wide range of creative opportunities. Like most industries you have to learn your trade and craft a niche that you enjoy doing. The secret is that you have fun. It starts with learning the skills that will stand you in good stead as your career develops. The individual has to be aware of their surrounding and develop...
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@MarinaMorais Nothing is ever easy, although it may sound simple. In preparing creative work I suggest it may be appropriate to learn the principles of The Art of War.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Welll this is nothing new. There are many women scientists whose achievements have been underrepresented. In fact science is nit the only field of creative endeavour that has been swept under the carpet.
Museums and archives have been revisited to research a more balanced outlook to history. This is in all walks of life.
The portrayal of a different point... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
The British Film Institute provides a forum in which portrays trends and opinions covering film. It provides a worldwide perspective of film production and the issues that the media portrays throughout the ages..
Film is of its time and tells stories that reflect the creative through of the period
Ready Player One - the world of gaming in the near... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
This is an each to their own outlook based on personal experiences that change through time.
I have travelled through seven decades of technology and world experiences that are reflected in the different storytelling formats of Drama, Entertainment And Media.
Each decade has provided more audio/visual experiences that migrate from live performances to... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
I have posted my comments on the Padlet and attach them below.
The exam question is leading towards the art of storytelling and I have made an addition comment below that covers the spectrum of the three formats. There are a lot more however.FILM - is an audio/visual storytelling experience. It is normally associated with cinema houses where audiences and...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
At least I am not a zombie watching stuff as I walk along the road.
The answers as expected in this brave new world. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
Well, I think that Anna has said it all wrt technology and how systems will be maintained or retained.
I have just finished a seven month exercise with Transport for London Corporate Archives transferring my personal archive of work that I did for them over since 1999 to 2013. This work focussed on the transport scenario contingency planning and...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Good Morning.
This is back to basics as was the thinking at the time.
It does reflect the bleeding edge of technology where your thought processes are evolving in a binary (digital) fashion and not analogue. (Fuzzy logic).Most find it mundane, boring and difficult to comprehend. Others who have a mindset that enjoys exploring this type of universe are...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I smiled at the photograph as it reminded me of my first luggable computer the Mac SE30 that cost the same as my car at the time. !989. It was the first graphic transportable computer from which Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel were developed.
My point is that creative technology became available at around the same time as digital communication.
I...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I summarised what I was watching when away from Teddington the other week. I do have a range of technology and have used YouTube to see historical short films promoted by Talking Pictures. This was through my laptop. I used my I-Pad to watch previous episodes of foreign films on BBC I-Player. These included Montabello (Sicilian Detective), Tokyo Vice. Each...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I have focused on Star Trek Franchise and posted comments on the Padlet
It does represent the creation of a franchise from the 1960’s.
That era of creativity did spawn many franchises that are still growing today.The concept of Transmedia storytelling is worth exploring as the platforms available are still evolving.
TRANSMEDIA STORYTELLING CONCEPT =...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I move to a Transmedia core story trilogy.
I-CON(Bluff or Idol?)1 – The London Game
Wicked Artificial General Intelligence upsets the natural creative energy of the young X,Y,Z Generation!THE PITCH
A ‘Sci-Fantasy Drama’ based on Fake reality and Punk fiction.
An old-school creative director (SIR) and new-deal MADAM need to save natural creativity from... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
I relate to Transmedia storytelling. Ths is the art of creating a core story that can be can interrelate/interact with the audience. The audience is a wide spectrum of taste and activity that is called life..
I note the matrix of convergence with its the impact on creative development of storytelling. There is the vertical streaming of quality storytelling...
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Sounds like Fun::)
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Graham Stephens made a comment
It is great to see that creatives have the opportunity to develop and enhance the industry of film, tv and gaming.…..
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Hi All. I am Graham from Teddington near the big smoke of London. I look forward to harking back at the evolution of photography, film, TV and gaming. It should be fun exploring the past technology and forecast what would happen in the future. Thus I am here to learn how I can create more stories in the diverse formats that are available.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Hi all of you who are out there still doing the course. …I am Graham a bit off an old tortoise. I have been interested in photography, filming and gaming for many years. I am looking forward to reliving my past experiences.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Black and white films use contrasting lighting to give dramatic effect. Film Noir B movies provide some great examples. Kiss me Deadly. ..
In addition, Casablanca, also provides classic bar/night club images.
Westerns provide wide open landscapes.The sixties explored other creative/ special effect opportunities especially in animation. I think of...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Useful observations that i will deploy in my good, bad and ugly photoshoot.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
The above are basic photographic principles that provide variety in a photoshoot and help in visual storytelling. This session reinforces the need for a photoshoot/film shoot script that will assist in the storytelling .
I will embody these framing techniques in my good, bad and ugly session.that i will complete today. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
I am deliberating on a photoshoot script that would cover the assignment.
The characters are will set up will represent the good, the bad and the ugly.
It will be shot at high, middle and low levels. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
Good morning. There is a lot of definitions and procedures outlined in the video, captured in the exploring BFI films and in the PDF previous session..
They all contain interesting tips. However, I attach my padlet with the first assignment. I have kept it simple and focus on animation characters only as they are fun to... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
I understand that there are three scene types. These are exposition, spectacle or dramatic.
Expository scenes
1. Provide information about the plot and the characters, fill logical gaps, and often set the mood and tone of upcoming scenes.
2. They’re also known as Establishing Scenes because they establish location, or Transition Scenes used to show a... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
2001 A Space Odyssey - Stanley Kubrick - provides many sequences of long shots that make space and movement like a ballet in a vacuum. The monoliths that spark primeval ideas such as a tool that can kill. Thus foraging apemen become hunters.
Action films that have car chases use multiple angle shots and slow motion to maximise the special effects. The Blues... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
The use of shots was determined by the storyboard and shooting script which emphasised movement from different points of view as well as pace for dramatic effect. The rapid fire shots depicting the scary moments of panic followed by running out of danger. The fight or fright survival principle has a rapid fire of shots and odd angles provide a scary...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I think there were 42 shots. The challenge was the rapid fire sequence of shots that instilled panic.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Shots are like creative visible Lego bricks that snap together to form a moving picture from different points of view. Each shot is framed to tell a story in its own right. The difficult bit is the sound bites that would go with them to create atmosphere. Thus a shooting script is essential before going on a shoot.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Hello all, I am Graham, from London. I look forward to sharing photographic and film experiences as well as picking up useful tips on short filmmaking.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Great, I have used Padlet on other FL courses and have developed my own as a vehicle to store my assignments and other material.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I have been involved in photography and filming for many years as part of my various roles with Transport for London. Although i have been retired since 2013, I am currently sharing my London Major Event response experiences with the TfL Corporate Archivists as part or their oral history programme.
This includes sharing the photographs and short videos made... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
Good morning. I am starting late on this course, however I hope to pick up useful tips from Tom and the BFI. I looked at the equipment PDF and do have suitable sound, film and photographic equipment. I listened to the video and note that there will be many opportunities to try out different techniques.
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Graham Stephens replied to Graham Stephens
Agreed. I thought of Mortal Engines, Biggles, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and of course Game Player One….A great music soundtrack that uplifted players to win the game. ……the list goes on. I suggest that you peruse the latest edition of Empire that gives a lot of backstories to the production of films that are on the starting block - about to be...
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Graham Stephens replied to Janet P
Hi I think I answered the question later on in another session. Bat Girl was scrapped for several reasons. 1 A tax right off DC Films was in massive dept. 2 a change in production strategy to cinema rather than streaming. 3 Is that it did not project the future image that DC films wanted to continue with. This being very controversial.
This comes back to...
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1984- Big Brother? Apple advert in 1980’s at Super Bowl with the colourful young lady smashing the screen with a throwing hammer.
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Agreed. Simple is never easy. Genres came up before in the FL creative writing courses covering novels and a separate ones introducing screenplay writing and production design. Each requires different skill sets and thinking and interpretation of classification’. I have been to see and listen to discussion groups with creative teams at BFI and Comic-Con. the...
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Graham Stephens replied to Hugh Robertson
This was one film I saw recently at the Music Museum accompanied by the mighty Wurlitzer organist. He introduced the film as a clever film within a film. The projectionist went into the film he was showing to become the master detective. An original idea executed brilliantly by Buster Keaton. His other film The General was also one of my favourites....
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Thank you Ian and the team creatives/presenters for a course that was great fun. The interactive use of the Padlet was a unique selling proposition as it did bring to life the challenges faced by the industry. Well done.
There are a range of FL creative courses that allows further understanding of material that needs genre classification as stated by Nick....
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Graham Stephens made a comment
Defining genres is a wicked problem. It depends upon many variables that can change through time.
It is a measurement tool that can help develop the strategy for creating a film that also includes its box office release date to audiences. However the main tool is the blueprint ( screenplay) that will then involve all the other steps before release. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
When is non-generic film not a non-generic film?
When it cannot be easily defined. Is Animation a genre or a non-gerne?
Pixar, Disney, Loonytunes appear to made it into a genre by the studio name and film production method.
As stated in the video clips it is a challenging area full of pit falls when producing a one off non defined experimental film.
It is... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
The difference between genre and franchise as stated above is artistic style and particular characteristics v a method of distributing products or services that includes a trade mark.
One is intellectual property (IP) rights the other is product property rights patents. There is a FL course on the history and intricacies of copyright.
IP has got more... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
Raindance looks to sites that are well established, grown up with the film industry process and as such have credibility/appeal to the older generation. You are in safe hands as there is a track record of professionalism through the academic regime. It is tough to survive as a reviewer.
Vuelo uses bloggers and influences that would appeal to the X,Y,Z... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
There are a few films that come to mind which do mix GERNES successfully..
However, success is unpredictable as already demonstrated during the course.
To find a UnIque Selling Proposition studios have pushed the boundaries and may get a film that acquires a cult status ..following in later years after a first release. There is always a danger if... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
I’ve done the exercise and posted it in the Padlet.
Poster design is a challenging art form. Billboards still feature when they are stuck up like wallpaper. However technology has made poster design more challenging with the advent of digital technology. I was travelling yesterday by train and the Tube. Billboards were at railway stations however the tube has... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
Genre and Audiences is like opening a Pandora’s box. As stated below by Dennis it depends upon the medium the storytelling is being portrayed. In addition , it also depends on the strategy being adopted by the studios to reach out to an audience.
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I used a formulaic approach
FILM TRAILER = TITLE+GENRE+PITCH = STORY(WORLD + CHARACTER +PLOT +NARRATIVE+(TROPES))TELLINGI applied it to the trailer Once upon a time in Hollywood
Yep! it appeared to works as it detected the production line process of churning out movies.
I only chose one trailer so that my fellow creative learners can have a go. -
Graham Stephens made a comment
Production design is key to the world building of the film. It is a well grounded approach. GENRE is key to this approach.
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CHINATOWN is a classic.Summary equation
CHINATOWN>>FILM NOIR>>WHO DONE IT?>>1940’S LA>>HERO JAKE GITTES >>PRIVATE EYE FOR HIRE>>CHINATOWN LA>>DESERT CITY>>WATER(FUELLED+SUSTAINED) = POWER = CITY CONTROLVisualisation model...
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Graham Stephens made a comment
I have been pondering the studio system and the process used by the big 5 that form Hollywood. It is noted that each studio became genre specific.
Then a penny dropped. Clang, It is a product manufacturing approach driven by genres. Key to this is physical representation of the story world defined by a blueprint (script). Production design is about world... -
Graham Stephens replied to Graham Stephens
Thanks for all that. It looks more like a lot of rope that the film industry could get hung up on. The mentioning of 4K… is that screen technology could reveal more stagecraft flaws. This results in finding live locations. Teddington has had many film crews filming scenes for both TV and Film. These have included creating fake rain showers with adapted fire...
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Graham Stephens replied to John Cope
Agreed Mr Pickwick
In the early 19th Century , the Hop Pole , later the Royal Hope Pole in Tewksbury, was visited by Mr Pickwick and his companions. The friends dined together and drunk bottled ale, Madeira and some port besides.
Samuel Pickwick is the fictional creation of Charles Dickens and the main character in Pickwick Papers. This loosely related... -
Storytelling + spectacles that move the plot.
Why did Black Panther become so successful?
The story revolves around an advance civilisation that shields itself from the rest of the world by pretending to be an underdeveloped country. An anathema. Is the big villain really a villain or is he trying to gain equality? Thought provoking.
With an all black... -
Graham Stephens made a comment
4. Truth to the Mission - finally, the story must be bigger than the storyteller. (Guber puts it, ‘mission is embodied in his stories, which capture and express values that he believes in and wants others to adopt as their own). Storytelling for Social Change.
The last truth was modified to include Social Change.
Now back to the above points raised in...
