Storiaverse App Offers A New Kind Of Animated Storytelling
As interactive technology has advanced, new methods of animated storytelling have opened up. Storiaverse is a new app that claims to offer an entirely new content format "read watching". What's more Storiaverse aims to connect independent writers and animators from around the world to create immersive multimedia stories. Animators and writers are paired up to create stories that span various genres and animation styles. Storiaverse is appealing for more animators and writers to sign up and join their creative network. The program offers opportunities for monetisation, exposure and offers creative freedom to creators.
The format combines animated video, audio and text into a visually dynamic and rich storytelling experience.
Each story features a unique animation style and writer, making each a one-of-a-kind experience. They feature animation styles from traditional hand-drawn animation to CG and everything in between. The stories cover popular fandom genres including horror, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, comedy and more.
Writers can submit their unpublished or previously published stories for consideration or collaborate with Storiaverse on entirely new narratives. Once selected, the writer will be paired with a talented animator from their extensive network and the creative partnership can begin.
Storiaverse was devised by Agnes Kozera and David Kierzkowski, who have previously sold their last two start-ups, Famebit and Podcorn, to Google. They have dedicated her career to uplifting creative voices and Storiaverse is just her latest project to do this.
Storiaverse is partnering with HarperCollins Publishing to adapt portions of several of their titles to the "read watch" format. It has not been announced what books will be adapted.They are also partnering with TikTok creator King Science which will feature the cartoon version of himself in an exclusive Storiaverse story that is launching soon.
As well as launching original stories, Storiaverse will amplify existing creators voices by allowing them to adapt their existing characters and narratives into the new format. They hope to partner with more creators in future.
“As an independent animator, I'm eager to captivate audiences in new ways and explore creating longer-form animation content that gets into the heart of storytelling, and Storiaverse offers that opportunity,” said "King" Science Akbar. "It has been so fun to write and animate my own story for the unique read-watch format and I can’t wait for my fans to dive into this immersive experience. What truly resonates with me is the platform's easy-to-work-with team and the creative freedom to champion my ideas. I think Storiaverse will make a positive impact on the animation community and give fans a totally new way to experience storytelling. I'm excited to launch my story in the app soon!"
Stories now available in the app include:
- A Night at the Park – A suspenseful mystery about two fugitives who try to take shelter in the wrong house, written by John M. Floyd, the award-winning author of more than 1,000 short stories in publications like Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and The Best American Mystery Stories. Animated by Josh Ryba, a writer, director and animator who has worked on projects such as Ridley Scott's Netflix series Raised by Wolves.
- The End of the West – An exciting Western where the line between predator and prey becomes blurred, written by Maxim Loskutoff, an award-winning novelist who has been published by The New York Times. Animated by Shahab Serwaty, a story art and 2D animation artist who has worked on TV series, films, music videos, board games, and graphic novels.
- The Kelpie – An inspiring fantasy about a young witch’s courage, transformation, and magic, written by queer, working-class Scottish writer Lindz McLeod and animated by Jonathan Fontaine, who has worked on movies including Disney’s Descendants and Paramount’s Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank.
- A Last Taste – A wild sci-fi story about the space heist of a lifetime, written by novelist Lyndsay Ely, who has contributed to books in the video game-inspired “Overwatch” series. Animated by Michael Winn, an animation instructor at Detroit’s The College for Creative Studies who has worked on projects for Warner Brothers and Sony.
