Course Catalog

Modern Storytelling

Can Be Taught:
In ClassroomIn Classroom
OnlineOnline
writing for Games, Movies, and Modern Media
Author:
Chris Klug, Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center
Available Now!
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: none
Delivery Method: In Classroom, Online
Duration: one semester

Course Description

Did you know that the movies Almost Famous and Star Wars share the same storyline? 

Find out more about storytelling in games, movies, and popular media:

  • Learn to recognize the elements of dramatic storytelling present in modern popular media.
  • After learning the techniques and methods of storytelling, write your own original story.

Discover techniques that lead to story structure and awareness, creative writing, improvisational acting, collaborative storytelling, and creative self-confidence. This class is perfect if you have yearned (secretly or openly) to learn how to write in modern dramatic form because of your experience playing games and watching popular media.

Click here to see the Video Game Academy course roadmap.

Materials

Provided online

About the Course Author

As a lighting designer, Chris worked on Broadway and opera, and toured with various 70's rock n' roll bands.

He was Creative Director for Electronic Art's MMORPG Earth & Beyond.

At SSI he assisted with Universe, designed the 2nd edition of Game of the Year award-winning DragonQuest, Horror Hotel, and Damocles Mission. He edited the RPG section of Ares magazine.

At Victory Games, Chris headed the RPG division, designed Game of the Year
award-winning James Bond 007, and designed six other titles.

Chris freelanced for SegaSoft, TSR, Hasbro Interactive, 3W, THQ, Simon and Schuster Interactive, Target Games, h2o Interactive, Gizmo Games, Westwood Studios and GT Interactive. His game credits include Star Trek DS9: Dominion Wars, Europa Universalis, Duke Nukem: Time to Kill, Diamond Dreams Baseball, and Aidyn Chronicles: First Mage.

Chris developed world-class computer sports simulations as VP and Chief Creative Officer for Diamond Dreams, Inc.

At Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, he was Creative Director the MMO Stargate Worlds.

Chris taught Interactive Storytelling at the Art Institutes of Pittsburgh and Phoenix, and is a member of the Writer's Guild of America West.

 

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