redridinghood >>
Donna Leishman
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||| HIAFF 3.0 | university of colorado | department of art and art history | digital arts area | in conjunction with alt-x | atlas | blurr
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Grace Stearns: How would you describe "RedRidingHood" in one to two sentences?
Donna Leishman: RedRidingHood is a non-textual animated exploration into
engaging the viewer in a recognizable narrative experience, combining the
utterly and moderately linear alongside random non-authored sequences ( the
dream section).
GS: Would you consider "RedRidingHood" to fall under the category of Digital
Narrative (if no, how would you describe the category which applies)?
DL: Yes, but the term Digital Narrative suggests to me that the project was
conceived digitally. Whereas it spent a fair amount of time being developed
as 'traditional' illustrations and sketches. It was the inherent urge to imbue
interaction within this story that left me no choice (and no It wasn't like
walking over a bed of hot coals) to convert my ideas into digital forms.
GS: After concluding that "point-and-click interaction" does not interfere
with
a story's flow, would you say that you think computer based narratives will
become more widely viewed and appreciated (what do these pieces have to offer
over more traditional literary forms)?
DL: I think that computer based narratives offer new forms of narrative
interaction / interventions. This fore mostly over other existing traditional
literary practice, but also they offer the ability for group collaborations
and
further development of serious play. Internet based digital narratives also
offer a closer or a less hidden contact (the absence of a publishing body)
between author/designer and the audience with email. The appreciation of these
essentially structurally challenging stories is in my mind a given (for every
author there is an audience?). Whereas I feel the lack of unified and quality
offerings is suppressing the impact on the mainstream culture and audiences.
GS: How did you become involved in Internet based artwork?
DL: In earned my spurs initially working for then Scotland's' Premier Web
Design consultancy (www.Blackid.com), which almost always had me involved in
very corporate treatments of subject matter. Whilst there I was introduced to
both Flash animation, and a core group of overworked / underpaid talented
multimedia artists (who have since become friends and inspirations
www.flamjam.com, www.itsnotrocketscience.com). Having discovered the
wonders
within the world of Flash, I speedily departed to dedicate a years'
concentration on a self-led project. The end product of that year (that and 4
months of funky but commercial flash training with New York production house
www.Bullseyeart.com) was a Masters in Design (specializing in Interactive
Narratives) and the RedRidinghood submission on 6amhoover. At present in the
middle developing the next project (running under the name Angel Interceptor),
and embarking on lots of new reading and thinking for a practice based PhD
here
at in Glasgow School of Art.
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