Film + Interactive= Happy SXSW
A definite and important decision that the people that run the SXSW Festival(s) was made for 2009. This year for the first time Film + Interactive was linked for specific panels and areas of the convention. This was absolutely a smart move on their part because film is not so different from Interactive because both involve technical detail that is viewed on a screen, a controller and some buttons set them apart.
Some of the best linked panels included:
Robert Rodriguez and Henry Selick
Comedy on TV and the Web with Sean Mills (The Onion), B.J. Novak (The Office), Keith Richman (Break.com), Meredith Scardino (Cobert Report), Ricky Van Veen, moderator (CollegeHumor.com)
Suprisingly Meredith was one of the funniest panelist and its very obvious why.
Screenburn Arcade
Finally after all of the stress of waiting in between films and panels (as if everyone was back in college) we are all allowed to commune at the Screenburn Arcade. One of the games I thought I would not be anticipated to play for 2009 was Bionic Commando. After watching everyone play I really believe this game could be the next big hit. It’s like Halo but you get to use a zip line and zip line your enemies in the face; you even jump off buildings like a beautiful bird. The game looks done; but who knows, I hope they don’t mess it up.
BTW, I was also at the comedy panel and even asked a question (something about the formal constraints of storytelling). I was going to ask why there is so much vomiting on TV , but that seemed unnecessary to ask.
Nice plug Robert, almost seamless, but still a very interesting post/response!