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Lance Weiler
Storyteller working in film, tv, theatre, games & code - Founding Member & Director Columbia University Digital Storytelling Lab
Professional Background
Lance Weiler is a renowned storyteller, entrepreneur, and thought leader who has made significant contributions to the intersection of storytelling and technology. With a prestigious background as an alumnus of the Sundance Screenwriting Lab, Weiler is considered a groundbreaking figure within the entertainment industry. His innovative approach to blending captivating narratives with emerging technologies has garnered recognition and respect in various artistic communities. In 1998, WIRED magazine honored Weiler as "one of twenty-five people helping to re-invent entertainment" due to his revolutionary work with his first feature film, The Last Broadcast.
In The Last Broadcast, Lance Weiler expertly co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced this slender-budget film which cost just $900 to create. The film marked a pivotal moment in cinema, going on to gross over $5 million as the first all-digital release of a motion picture to theaters via satellite. This groundbreaking distribution method has since set a standard for digital cinema distribution, demonstrating Weiler's impactful presence and influence on the industry. Following the success of his debut feature, Weiler expanded his career as a writer, director, and producer, collaborating with major networks such as FOX, TNT, Starz, and Endomel to develop engaging television and film projects.
In addition to his work on individual projects, Lance Weiler is dedicated to collaborative storytelling, often teaming up with other talented creators to push the boundaries of narrative formats. In 2010, his extraordinary work on Collapsus: The Energy Risk Conspiracy earned him an International Emmy nomination in the digital fiction category. Further cementing his status as an innovative storyteller, Lance was the Creative Director and Experience Designer for the 2014 immersive storytelling project Body/Mind/Change, created in partnership with the legendary filmmaker David Cronenberg, TIFF, and the CFC. The project received significant accolades, including the prestigious MUSE Jim Blackaby Ingenuity Award, as well as a Webby Honorable Mention in the Games and Augmented Reality category.
Education and Achievements
Lance Weiler's commitment to shaping the future of storytelling is manifested through his involvement with academic institutions. Since 2013, he has been a Founding Member and Director of the Digital Storytelling Lab (DSL) at Columbia University School of the Arts. Under his leadership, the lab has focused on exploring novel forms and functions of storytelling, contributing to the evolution of digital narratives in contemporary media landscapes. In addition to his role as Director, Weiler serves as a Professor of Practice at the Columbia University School of the Arts, where he is jointly appointed in Film & Theatre. His extensive experience and academic guidance provide students with invaluable insights into the world of storytelling and creative expression.
Lance Weiler's venture into artificial intelligence was highlighted in 2018 when he returned to Sundance with Frankenstein AI, one of the first projects showcased at the festival that utilized AI technologies. In collaboration with the National Theatre and IDFA Doc Lab, he was commissioned to develop an AI-hosted dinner staged at the prestigious IDFA in Amsterdam later that same year. This project exemplifies Weiler's continuous exploration of technology's capabilities in reimagining narrative experiences.
In 2019, Lance premiered two distinctive works at two major festivals: Where There’s Smoke at the Tribeca Film Festival and The Raven at the New York Film Festival. These premieres illustrate his ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of storytelling and showcase his dynamic versatility as a creator in the modern entertainment landscape.
Currently, Lance Weiler is focused on developing a new television series for which he serves as the creator, executive producer, and writer. His mission to innovate storytelling continues as he embarks on exciting new creative ventures that promise to captivate audiences and reshape narrative experiences.
Achievements
- Pioneering Storytelling Techniques: Recognized as a leading figure in blending storytelling with technology, contributing to the evolution of digital cinema distribution.
- International Emmy Nomination: Honored for his work on Collapsus: The Energy Risk Conspiracy, showcasing his skill in digital fiction.
- Award-Winning Projects: The Body/Mind/Change project received the MUSE Jim Blackaby Ingenuity Award and a Webby Honorable Mention for its innovative storytelling approach.
- Founder and Leader of Digital Storytelling Lab: As the Founding Member and Director, Weiler has shaped the vision and mission of the DSL at Columbia University to explore new storytelling forms.
- Exploration of Artificial Intelligence in Storytelling: His projects at Sundance and IDFA have posit
Highlights
Excited to share this year's Immersive Things list. It's a wonderfully eclectic collection of immersive works that mix storytelling, performance, play, design and code. I'll be going back through all the comments on social, DMs and emails again to make sure we didn't miss anything. If we did miss something please DM me.
This marks the 5th edition of the list. Special thanks to all the people who took the time to share projects that wowed them in 2023.
https://lnkd.in/eNWPK3DC
HELP NEEDED: I'm pulling together an end of year list and will compile and share all the results.
What are some interesting digital storytelling / immersive works from 2023? Can be any form. What moved you? What stood out? What's a must see/experience?
Please leave your recommendations as a comment below or send via a DM.
Since 2019, I’ve gone out to the community in an effort to discover new and interesting work that mixes storytelling and emerging technology.
Below is a link to last years list to give you an example of how the results are complied and shared.
Thanks so much!
https://lnkd.in/eM6J-edM
#storytelling #ai #ar #vr #iot
