Sundance Institute's Story Forum: Exploring Art and Innovation is a space to learn, collaborate, and join the conversation; inviting thoughtful dialogue about the artist-first tools and technologies supporting visual storytelling today.
AI is entering storytelling, but the real question is not whether machines can generate scenes. It’s whether we can use AI to help humans build better stories: more coherent, more original, and more emotionally honest. This panel explores how narratology (the study of story structure, meaning, and form) can guide human-centered AI tools toward new plot structures for the modern age, beyond inherited templates like the Hero’s Journey. This session will examine how creators can keep the moving parts of a story legible, stress-test decisions, and discover new shapes without flattening the original voice.
If you would benefit from an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790, or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to discuss your specific requests. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; however, requests made within 5 days of the event may not be guaranteed.
Co-founder and CTO, Othelia
Joseph Couch is the Sydney based Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Othelia, where he builds systems for working with complex stories and expansive storyworlds. His work spans long-form narrative design and interactive storytelling across film, new media, and games. He has advised leading studios and production companies on creative development and collaborated with interactive teams on narrative experiences. He has presented his ideas at prominent venues, including the Sydney Opera House.
more...Strategist, Narrative Design Technologies, Disney StudioLab and Lead Researcher, USC Entertainment Technology Center
Hank Gerba holds a PhD in Film & Media Studies from Stanford University and works across film, VR, and interactive media at the intersection of narrative theory and technology. At Disney, he helps develop narrative design tools and workflows that support author-driven storytelling. He is also affiliated with USC’s Entertainment Technology Center, where he leads the multi-studio Narrative Context Protocol (with partners including Amazon Studios, NBCUniversal, Epic Games, and Dolby).
more...Independent Producer, Professor of Narratology, Emerson College
Mike S. Ryan has produced 30 plus independent features including award winning features for such directors as Todd Solondz, Kelly Richard, Hal Hartley and Bela Tarr.
more...Moderator | Producer, ADULTS, TINY FURNITURE
Alicia Van Couvering is an independent producer whose credits include FX’s ADULTS, Lena Dunham's TINY FURNITURE, Jon Watts' COP CAR, Joe Swanberg's DRINKING BUDDIES, Gimlet Media's inaugural scripted podcast, HOMECOMING, and its television adaptation, as well as numerous short films and commercials.
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