Institution email:  j.j.ambrose@brighton.ac.uk

The purpose of this research project is to explore how new technologies have the potential to expand the genre of interactive film into new forms of audience engagement. Beyond recalibrating disparaging views towards the viability of interactive film, I want to explore how interactive narratives can be reconsidered in the wake of these technological advancements. This will be accomplished through iterative practical experimentation and ideation based on user feedback, with the practical output being the creation of narrative frameworks that encapsulate the principles of generativity, whilst also challenging theoretical concerns such as audience reception theory, authorability/authorial intent and narratological analysis. A practice-­led approach allows these theoretical ideas to be actualised and in turn assists in validating what aspects of these are appropriate to the evolving discourse. A depriving element of interactive film is the interruption caused by the interaction process and the lack of immersion sustained by engaging with material in a public sphere. To overcome these issues I propose to use physiological data taken from the user to create a real­time, non-­haptic method of interaction using biosensors. To sustain immersion ­ content will be viewed using virtual reality equipment to propagate a more personalised experience. The scope of this project will be focused upon the iterative development of generative narrative structures based on user feedback and theoretical considerations derived from this process. The goal of this research is to elucidate the generative potential of interactive film and spark renewed interest in this area, while also exploring new ways to experience visual information and to tell stories.