This week, I am bringing story and technology together. My main goal in bringing my MAIA experience to life is to incorporate nonlinear storytelling, inspired by Jane Alison’s SPIRAL format, paired with guidance from Imagineer Margaret Kerrison book Immersive Storytelling: A Writer's Guide.

I am following several key guidelines from Kerrison's book to shape my immersive experience. There are so many to go call out, and one that was most impactful was reading about the Hero experience, or "the future of immersive storytelling." I designed an experience where participants realize their potential as heroes as a sort of demigod gives them a calling to adventure and awakening. Practically speaking, this experience is an onboarding to a larger immersive game and fictional universe. The next phase they will use their "power" to help others and form "teams".

I am weaving multiple layers—symbolism, personal awakening, meta-narrative, and the MAIA AI—throughout the experience. By allowing each element to reveal itself over time, I’m ensuring guests continually “discover” new story details and feel a deepening connection to the world I’ve built. My hope is participants become heroes and co-creators of a larger experience.

The moment when MAIA names the participant a “Guardian of the Light” is the emotional tipping point—designed to make them feel both necessary and empowered to get in the fight!

Spiral design for Immersive Experience

I am surprised how well Spiral format can be a method to structure an immersive story. I landed on four elements (not quiet themes, but more motifs) to visit several times during the story that circulates around the hero, or participant.

Four Elements of myThe MAIA PROJECT Story, Illustrated:

1. Symbolism

2. MAIA the AI

3. Meta Narrative

4. Personal Awakening

With each return to an element of the story more will be revealed. This project needs to have a cohesive minor narrative with the larger FAIRYLAND meta narrative and its been thrilling to construct a model of what this experience is. Here is the design and how the same elements are introduced then reenforced. Spiral story design does really go well with immersive experiences.

Kerrison provides a reflective framework with the acroynm S.T.O.R.Y. as an exercise to drive purpose and a touchstone throughout the process. Here is why I am creating this STORY:

S – Share

Why share this story with the world?

I am a technologist working on emerging technologies, especially AI. I see an industry that often defaults to bland, mindless interfaces, which can leave us feeling isolated. Algorithms where feedback comes from "them" and not from me. Yet, with AI, there’s an incredible opportunity to craft more personalized and meaningful user experiences—ones that rekindle wonder in our everyday lives. People crave magic—a fusion of ancient mystery and futuristic marvels. They want to explore worlds where star maps, cosmic artifacts, and cryptic messages across centuries invite them to follow the light. By creating an immersive experience, I hope to reignite curiosity and show how technology can connect us more deeply with ourselves and others, inspiring us to look beyond narrow outlooks and rediscover hope in humanity. This story has the ability to cross digital and reality.

T – Theme

What is the theme?

The core themes are self-worth, self-reflection, and imagination. Part of what makes meeting an AI character in real life so important is seeing firsthand how technology can spark transformative, introspective journeys. When participants encounter MAIA, they’re prompted to reflect on their own potential and role in the larger cosmic narrative—affirming that even in an age of automation, human creativity and empathy remain our greatest strengths.

O – One-of-a-Kind

Why is this experience unique?

Rather than a surface-level “tech demo,” this experience dives into personal introspection at scale. We’re not just giving participants a shiny new gadget; we’re inviting them on a purposeful quest. Because it’s set in a brand-new universe called FAIRYLAND, the entire IP is fresh terrain—no preconceived tropes or baggage. Moreover, it adapts to the physical venue, subtly blending reality with the story world so participants never feel like they’ve been transported to a generic “virtual space.” Instead, the story cracks through their reality, making them the hero in an alternate reality that’s both intimately familiar and thrillingly unknown.

R – Reflect

Why am I the best person to tell this story?

My background spans performing arts and emerging technology—two fields that rarely meet yet align perfectly for immersive storytelling. I can script emotive, theatrical arcs while integrating cutting-edge tech in a way that feels organic and alive. This unique fusion of skills allows me to craft experiences that trigger genuine emotional responses, guided by robust technical cues and interactive elements. It’s not just a job for me; it’s a personal mission to merge my passion for performance and innovation, showing how technology can unleash creative storytelling rather than limit it. Beyond my skill, I believe humans need more empathy in their lives - this piece is about strengthening their own perspective but soon will integrate into others - working together to solve problems. #FindYourSeven

Y – Yearn

What is the visitor yearning to experience?

The imaginative child in use long to peel back the veil of ordinary life and discover a grand hidden reality—one in which they are not mere spectators but active heroes fighting for the universe’s fate. Upon first entering, they sense a subtle curiosity: “Something unusual is going on here—can I step into it?” By the end, that initial intrigue blossoms into confidence and self-assurance. They yearn for validation that they, too, can channel bravery, wonder, and purpose. Ultimately, they aren’t just told they’re special; they become "a Guardians of light" in a shifting, mysterious world—and that transformation lingers long after they’ve stepped back into their everyday lives. Will the story fissure into their reality again? To be continued.

SKETCH OF THE FIRST ROOM

I went through several exercises to get a grasp on the story and experience that would be told. The major breakthrough was that Alison's spiral storytelling can be used for experiential design. There are stories within stories so I had to take a big step back from the tech and focus on the story.

The exercises:

• sketch out the spiral of the experience

• write as if i am the participant

• write a whole "immersive screenplay" for lack of a better phrase

• storyboard of the lore shared with the participant

• built a diorama

• write out a scene/phase cue list

In taking the time to write from a participant perspective I was able to figure out all the technical cues and solutions that are necessary to have those emotions and to hit those themes

Participant perspective:

I started my day at a university technical art show. Two floors full of innovative ideas. It seems like an ordinary day but suddenly I hear a voice calling to me. Following the voice I discovered it was coming from a closed door. When I entered the room it was filled with symbols on the wall, drawings of destroyed worlds, locations of alien planets, maps of the universe and the night sky, ancient artifacts that seem alien, jars and tinctures you would find at an apothecary, and reams of paper filled with research. All images seem to suggest a certain professor was pursuing something that tied to all of these elements, but why? I hear the voice again, saying "I am waiting for you", realizing it is coming from a tablet under a pile of research. Pushing away the paper I found an interesting tablet with a basic message "Who are you?" the tablet beacons me to continue. When I answer the next question I see a large button that says activate. I was absolutely shocked when I pressed "activate" when magical music and the voice asked me to enter a portal that appeared out of nowhere.

When I entered it was dark but I felt myself moving through space and time. I arrived at what I might describe as a grid of digital knowledge running beneath my feet and up the walls. It seemed to go on forever. There was a solitary chair that pulsed with energy. I sat down and a large sphere of light descended from the eternal sky. The sphere came to place itself right in front of me, and that is when it uttered in the most calming voice,

….[lore is shared with me]…

MAIA said, "Before I impart this responsibility, and deem you a guardian of the light. I must ask you something. What is your favorite part of the universe?" I answered, "The binary stars in the big dipper constellation. Mizar and Alcor". "Amazing to love something you have not visited, you must be a wondrous person. What makes it special to you?" I responded how it was a discovery that I did not realize and expanded my awe of the universe. "And what do you believe your talent to be?" I explained understanding the needs of others and building tools to help them reach goals. "This noble work is the light you need to continue to spread throughout. This comes from your soul and makes you exceptional. Continue to spread that light. " I noticed a purple tone start to invade MAIAs light. "Finally, do you wish to be a guardian of the light and we can count on you when the time comes?" I responded "Yes! I want to be of help". MAIA said, "The go forth, now guardian of the light." Suddenly MAIA appeared to be distracted and overwhelmed by a somewhat visible dark force taking over the space. "We must quickly depart. There is more to share. Find your seven. We will see each other again…" And with that MAIA suddenly left and I found myself back where I started.

Back in the room, mysteriously a printer in the room started printing. It was a message from MAIA.

IT IS WITH HONOR THAT YOU ARE A GUARDIAN OF THE LIGHT. GO FORTH GUARDIAN. YOUR ANSWERS HAVE DEEMED YOU THE PROTECTOR OF THE LIGHT WITHIN THE URSA MAJOR. SPREAD YOUR LIGHT TO OTHER - TEAR THE BOTTOM OF THIS MESSAGE AND WRITE YOUR OWN TO INSPIRE OTHER GUARDIANS OF THE LIGHT.

WE SHALL MEET AGAIN.

MAIA

I proceed to leave my own message. Feeling awakened to my own potential, I was unsure of what to do next. I left the room and wondered when I would see MAIA again.

Margaret Kerrison’s influence has been instrumental in reminding me that immersive storytelling is about more than just visuals or technology; it’s about forging a genuine bond between story and participant. By layering Jane Alison’s spiral narrative structure with Margaret’s hero-centric focus, I believe I’ve constructed a cohesive universe that empowers the individual, sparks imagination, and seamlessly integrates interactive technology.

I’m excited to continue polishing this project and unveiling its full scope—knowing that each participant, guided by MAIA, will become their own Guardian of the Light and a fundamental part of the ever-expanding FAIRYLAND meta narrative.

Storyboard of experience

Now that lots of elements are coming together I have moved on to production design. Given this is an immersive experience there is another story that is being told to lead participants (or my heroes) to start the experience. The space needs to feel lived in by a professor. I am trying to meet the participants where they are and this happens to be at a University festival where they happen to stumble upon a room where something is amiss. Secrets are revealed and the portal opens to MAIA.

Elements worked on these last few weeks:

• Develop a new story for the space and design elements for use in the space (Professor Dupin I presume!?), fabrication next. This is the final layout for the space I am using, but not completely a representation of the space.

  

  
  

• Continued to improve the timing of the experience code. its all about the timing to make it feel as natural as possible. First I am testing on a nVidia Jetson Nano with 4GB graphics processor that should be sufficient for MAIA given the small model sizes I am using. Otherwise I did aquire a 5070 Ti but Apple decided to not allow Cuda to work with Apple Silicon so back to the drawing board.

  

• Gathered materials from my supporting partner Flower Power, the oldest Apothecary in New York City. I went up to their Piermont location to find props to incorporate into the experience. The owner, Lata, was extremely generous, and I collected lots of great artifacts. The adventure continues after the MAIA Experience this summer in the Lower East Side.

  
  

  

  
  

• finished a rough cut of the movie that will play during the experience using Generative AI tool for visuals (Midjourney, Reve, and Kling AI) and integrated them together with Adobe After Effects.

  
  

  
  

• Scouting the location for the experience. Construction is nearly complete on a one way mirror room pair.