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Immersive Storytelling for Real and Imagined Worlds: A Writer's Guide Spiral-Bound | August 23, 2022

Margaret Kerrison

★★★★☆+ from 31 to 100 ratings

$29.08 - Free Shipping
What gets your heart rate going more: reading a story about dinosaurs, or being chased by one? The emerging discipline of immersive storytelling recognizes the power of creative works that put the viewer at the center of the action. In Immersive Storytelling, theme park designer Margaret Kerrison shares tips and tricks for writers on teams tasked with bringing a narrative to life. How do you take an idea from inspiration to manifestation? How do you move from telling a story to creating a world? In this richly illustrated book, the first of its kind written specifically for writers, Kerrison lays out the craft of immersive storytelling. She uses case studies to show what works, and highlights the essential role of the writer on a complex creative team. Ready to take the kernel of an idea and turn it into a full-fledged experience? This book gives you the blueprint.What gets your heart rate going more: reading a story about dinosaurs, or being chased by one? The emerging discipline of immersive storytelling recognizes the power of creative works that put the viewer at the center of the action. In Immersive Storytelling, theme park designer Margaret Kerrison shares tips and tricks for writers on teams tasked with bringing a narrative to life. How do you take an idea from inspiration to manifestation? How do you move from telling a story to creating a world? In this richly illustrated book, the first of its kind written specifically for writers, Kerrison lays out the craft of immersive storytelling. She uses case studies to show what works, and highlights the essential role of the writer on a complex creative team. Ready to take the kernel of an idea and turn it into a full-fledged experience? This book gives you the blueprint.
Publisher: Consortium Book Sales & Distribution
Original Binding: Trade Paperback
Pages: 264 pages
ISBN-10: 1615933417
Item Weight: 1.18 lbs
Dimensions: 6.0 x 1.09 x 9.0 inches
Customer Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars 31 to 100 ratings

“When I began at Walt Disney Imagineering, almost everything about the business was conveyed through oral tradition. That was forty years ago. Margaret Kerrison has created a source with this book, Immersive Storytelling. The communal wisdom, experience, and real-world examples collected here represent a career’s worth of exposure. Immerse yourself.”

— Joe Rohde, Veteran Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering


"Throughout this book, Margaret Kerrison illustrates the artistry of so-called escapism, making the case that the entertainment we experience will continue to blur the lines between the storyteller and story participant. Entering a story is no mere escape; it’s how we make sense of the world around us.”

—— Todd Martens, theme park journalist for the Los Angeles Times


“I didn’t know I was in desperate need of this book until I started reading the first page; after that, I sat down and immediately devoured the rest while also marking up sections I knew I wanted to return to later. Immersive Storytelling for Real and Imagined Worlds is a must-own book for anybody interested in designing 360° immersive experiences. Get your sticky notes and highlighters out!

—— Kathryn Yu, Executive Editor, No Proscenium


“Margaret invites every writer or would-be writer to consider their world building from a 360 degree vantage point. She also dares to make it personal. Margaret's belief that the personal, if handled correctly, can be universal, and is an invitation for all of us, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or gender to investigate why the stories we want to tell matter.”

—— Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony, Vice President Creative & Advanced Development, Disney Live Entertainment


“For anyone who is involved in the development of immersive experiences or who aspires to be, Margaret Kerrison has written a comprehensive guide that unlocks the process for success. The result is a vital resource for anyone who wants to tell stories that captivate visitors and ensure an emotional connection with the content. Margaret generously shares her creative process and provides insights that will continue to elevate the art of immersive storytelling.”

—— Jon Georges, Executive Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering


“Margaret Kerrison’s excellent book, Immersive Storytelling, is a fantastic resource for all of us, from novice storytellers to seasoned creative types looking for inspiration and fresh insight. Designing a truly sensorial and immersive environment is about bold investigations and the power of discovery, just as it is about detail and subtlety. Margaret’s book shares plenty of these complementary nuances.”

—— Rob Ball, Managing Director, ArtCenter Berlin, ArtCenter College of Design


“Margaret writes with a wit and clarity that makes for an easy read while also using her experience and insights to showcase the fundamental truths that must be present in order to capture the imagination of any visitor to your design. You will want this book on your shelf as a reference you will return to again and again.”

—— Cory Rouse, Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering


Born in Indonesia and raised in Singapore, Margaret received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Screenwriting from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Her career spans 14 years of experience in television, film, digital media, games, brand storytelling, location-based entertainment, and immersive experiences. She has worked as a Story Lead, Story Consultant, and Writer for multiple projects around the world, including Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Star Wars: Launch Bay, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, Avengers Campus, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, National Geographic HQ, and the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted. She was a Disney Imagineer from 2014-2021. She is currently a Sr. Experiential Creative Lead for Airbnb.