Suzanne Stefanac Provides A Window Into Storytelling Unleashed

Suzanne Stefanac - one of Hollywood's and Silicon Valley's most respected media strategists and technologists shares with us the focus of her presentation at the upcoming X|Media|Lab: Film-Xtended.

Q. What will your focus of your keynote presentation at XML Film X-tended?

Storytelling Unleashed.

Storytelling is as old as campfires, but emerging technologies and platforms are transforming our collective narrative landscape. Savvy storytellers are familiarizing themselves with new tools and mindsets that allow them to entertain, educate, and engage viewers across the spectrum of available screens—theatrical, television, computer, tablet, and mobile. Further, creators are finding it increasingly advantageous to go beyond the traditional one-to-many dynamic and actively engage their audience. I will provide a window onto the most compelling examples of today's emerging narrative scenarios.

Q. What experiences and skills will you be sharing with your ‘Lab’ mentoring projects at XML Film X-tended?

http://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannestefanac

Most recently, I was Director of the American Film Institute's Digital Content Lab, an innovation engine that provided an environment for creative storytellers and industry mavens to collaborate and create cutting-edge prototypes. Additionally, I have served as chair of the Interactive Media Emmy Awards working group and can offer insights about the state of digital media within American television networks.

Q. Please highlight 3 key areas where the digital industry will evolve in the coming years?

* Multi-platform delivery will provide audiences with opportunities to view the same core content optimized for a variety of platforms and screens. This is both a boon (additional revenue possibilities) and a bane (content often needs to be optimized for specific platforms).

* Engagement with the viewer will become an imperative. Whether soliciting and integrating content or encouraging fans to comment and help spread the word, learning to inspire dialogue with audiences will be well worth the learning curve and effort.

* Most importantly, digital media will be under increasing pressure to up the ante from a quality perspective. The days when just being first was enough to drive numbers of viewers are fast waning. There is no substitute for superb storytelling and those who learn to do it with new tools and delivery options will be the winners.

Follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannestefanac