A plastic Kanohi mask clicking into place probably isn’t the first thing you think of as a literary awakening. But for kids in the early 2000s, LEGO’s “Bionicle” was exactly that — a secret gateway to sophisticated storytelling and the giants of sci-fi and fantasy. “Bionicle” was more than just a toy line. It was […]
Tag: Storytelling
How the Monday Night Wars Shaped Modern Media
A ringing bell, a roaring crowd and a rivalry that feels real. For years, professional wrestling was seen as a simple, low-brow spectacle. But behind the staged fights and over-the-top drama, organizations like WWE and WCW were inventing a new way to tell stories. Their methods — using live TV, long-term narratives and a blend […]
Taking Aim at The “John Wick” Effect
The first rule of a “John Wick” film is that there are no rules, only consequences. This simple philosophy embodied by Keanu Reeves’ titular assassin, is at the heart of how the franchise has revitalized the modern action genre. By de-emphasizing bloated Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) spectacles and focusing instead on immersive world-building and character-driven choreography, […]
True Crime TV: Storytelling or Exploitation?
True crime isn’t just making headlines anymore – it’s everywhere. From TV shows to podcasts, millions are listening in to hear recounts and theories of the malice beyond these heinous crimes. Everyone seems obsessed. This fascination, however, raises an important question. Are these programs pure journalism, or are they crossing the line into exploitation? True […]
The Art of the Binge-Watch: Good or Bad for Storytelling?
Remember when a new TV episode was a weekly sarosanct event? I remember. Audiences gathered, discussed and eagerly awaited the next installment. Today, with streaming platforms offering entire seasons at once, the viewing landscape has dramatically shifted, profoundly impacting pacing, cliffhangers and audience engagement. The most immediate casualty of the binge-watching era is often pacing. […]
A Course on Graphic Novels Should be Mandatory for Creative Writing Degrees
Creative writing degrees can be misleading if you don’t know what creative writing is. Some might think it’s just writing novels and short stories, which would make the degree more of a storytelling instead of writing-focused degree, but the writing part is what’s most important. These degrees usually encompass professional, creative and technical writing to […]
