The Walker Arts District is set to host an innovative, interactive short film experience called The Branching Narrative Extravaganza, premiering on Friday, April 14, 2023, during the 2nd Friday Art Walk. This immersive adventure, created by Dennis Spielman and The Show Starts Now, transforms Downtown Norman into a living storybook, where participants control the outcome of the narrative – all for free.
The game follows Jordan, whose date in Downtown Norman takes unexpected turns. The adventure starts at MAINSITE Contemporary Art, where players scan a QR code on a poster to watch the first scene on their smartphones. At the end of each scene, players are prompted to visit a local business or landmark to witness the consequences of their decision. With 13 scenes to watch and six different endings to discover, participants will enjoy a unique adventure tailored to their choices.
In addition to story posters, bonus scene posters are scattered across the windows of downtown businesses. These posters feature QR codes linking to short features, including profiles of local artists, restaurant recommendations, fun facts about Norman, and ghost stories.
Erinn Gavaghan, Executive Director of the Norman Arts Council, praised the experience, saying, “I remember ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books I read as a kid. I absolutely LOVED them! Dennis Spielman and The Show Starts Now have taken the spirit of those childhood treasures and turned them into a brilliant way to choose your adventure through the Walker Arts District, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! The Norman Arts Council gives a HUGE thank you to the team for this creative and fun, marketing of the Arts in Norman.”
Sarah King, who plays Avery in the film, shared her excitement for the project: “As a lifelong resident of Norman and lover of the Arts, I’m excited to show off our cool town and the many opportunities available for arts, fun, and chaos! I hope this project helps people discover some hidden Norman gems they may not have visited before.”
The Branching Narrative Extravaganza will be available to play for free from April 14, 2023, through May 12, 2023. Don’t miss the chance to experience this one-of-a-kind interactive adventure in the Walker Arts District. Learn more at https://experiences.theshowstartsnow.tv/
