The Visual Creator’s Guide to Storyworlds

Rich storyworlds – the “universes” within which stories are set – provide detailed contextual rule sets that develop a larger reality that extends beyond a single story.

Creating effective visual narratives requires taking a step back and taking a proper bird’s eye view of the universe that your story will exist in.

The process of “World Building” as a container for your stories is the smart approach for gaining continuity and generating intrigue. It’s letting the reader know that your stories are held within a planned, comprehensive and compelling world to explore…….they simply won’t be able to wait for your next chapter!

In this webinar two-session class, Peter von Stackelberg, a professional futurist, illustrator and writer teaches a must-have framework for world building.

Session 1 : Saturday October 26th (already broadcast)

Start time : 20:00 BST (London)/ 15:00 EDT (New York) / 12:00 PDT (Los Angeles)

Expected duraton : 1.5+ hours

• How to plan storyworlds

– The Tagline
– Controlling Idea (Theme)
– Storyworld Genre
– Spectrum of Storyworlds (Primary vs. Secondary)
– Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Hybrid Storyworlds
– Storyworld Synopsis
– Design Aesthetic & Style Guides
– Using Storyworlds Across Multiple Media
– Storyworld Expandability
– Storyworlds Franchises

• Storyworld Elements

– Space-Time
– Characters
– Significant Objects
– Settings/Locations
– Events
– System States

• Natural Elements of Storyworlds

– Physical & Biological Laws
– Cosmology
– Multiverse/Universe
– Galaxy
– Star System
– Planets, Moons & More
– Cycles in Storytelling
– Role of Cycles in Storytelling
– Environmental Cycles
– Physiological Cycles
– Institutional Cycles

• Spaces in Storyworlds

– Boundaries & Borders
– Portals & Passages
– Public, Private & Personal Spaces
– Embodied Spaces
– Forbidden Spaces
– Sacred Spaces
– Unknown & Unexplored Spaces
– Metaphysical Spaces
– Creating & Using World Maps

Session 2: Sunday October 27th

Start time : 20:00 GMT (London)/ 16:00 EDT (New York) / 13:00 PDT (Los Angeles)

Expected duraton : 1.5+ hours

• Life forms in Storyworlds

– Humans & Other Sentient Beings
– Animals (Fauna) – Non-Sentient
– Plants (Flora)
– Gods
– Monsters
– Ecosystems

• Universal Resources in Storyworlds

– Air
– Water
– Nutrients
– Energy
– Materials
– Nutrients

• Socioeconomic Resources

– Labor
– Population
– Information
– Capital
– Technology

• Cultural Resources

– Beliefs & Values
– Myths
– Art, Literature & Music

• Social Structures

– Social Institutions
– Social Order
– Social Norms
– Social Hierachies
– Flows Within Social Structures

About the presenter : Peter von Stackelberg

Peter von Stackelberg is a writer, story architect and worldbuilder, university lecturer, and futurist. He has more than four decades of experience as a writer and award-winning journalist and almost 30 years of experience as a consultant and professional futurist.

For the past eight years, Peter has focused on emerging media technologies and is an expert on transmedia storytelling and constructing storyworlds. He has also worked on technology, innovation, and strategic foresight projects for companies like Honda R&D North America, General Motors, Shell Oil Company, Lockheed Martin, Texaco, Hasbro, and many others.

His book Technology & the Future: Managing Change and Innovation in the 21st Century was a best seller in its category for five weeks when released on Amazon in 2014.

Peter has taught a wide range of university and college courses in English, communications and business, including Digital Storytelling; Technology, Innovation, and the Future; Systems Thinking; Strategic Management; and Business Communications.

He has a B.A. in Journalism from Ryerson University, a M.S. in Studies of the Future from University of Houston-Clear Lake, and a M.S. in Information Design & Technology from SUNY Polytechnic University.