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Parallel Worlds

Parallel Worlds

By Ollie Palmer

World-building is a valuable tool in art and design. The ability to immerse an audience in a complete world is crucial to the framing of TV shows and movies; corporations, nations, political parties, theatrical productions, and futurists all engage in ‘world-building’. What can artists and designers learn from world-building to enhance and augment their own practice? This is the podcast which accompanies the course at parallel.olliepalmer.com
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2021.W7.E1 Reflection: A ChitChat by Mohammad

Parallel WorldsApr 26, 2021

00:00
06:07
2021.W9.E2 Bonus: Interview with Abi Palmer (rebroadcast)
May 03, 202101:22:03
2021.W9.E2 Bonus: Interview with Tim Clare (rebroadcast)
May 02, 202101:09:24
2021.W9.E1 Action: Final assignment
Apr 30, 202115:42
2021.W8.E5 Action: Your worst review

2021.W8.E5 Action: Your worst review

What's your worst review?


Apr 26, 202124:00
2021.W8.E4 Action: Your best review
Apr 26, 202128:23
2021.W8.E3 Action: Synthesis
Apr 26, 202129:58
2021.W8.E2 Action: A list of "things"
Apr 26, 202119:39
2021.W8.E1 Action: Listening to Six House Parties by Ross Sutherland

2021.W8.E1 Action: Listening to Six House Parties by Ross Sutherland

This episode we're mixing it up a little, and listening to a story from another podcast! This episode features Ross Sutherland’s story Six House Parties, which is part of his podcast Imaginary Advice. You can also listen to the original story on Soundcloud, but I really recommend you subscribe to Imaginary Advice with your favourite podcast app!  

Many thanks to Ross for letting us use this segment. A full transcript of Ollie’s part of this episode is available at the Parallel Worlds website.

Apr 26, 202132:51
2021.W7.E6 Reflection: Elisabet
Apr 26, 202106:04
2021.W7.E5 Reflection: Vlad
Apr 26, 202107:12
2021.W7.E4 Reflection: Niké
Apr 26, 202108:21
2021.W7.E3 Reflection: Tracks by Linda
Apr 26, 202103:29
2021.W7.E2 Reflection: Interview with Clara by Scienthya
Apr 26, 202104:34
2021.W7.E1 Reflection: A ChitChat by Mohammad
Apr 26, 202106:07
2021.W6.E5 Action
Apr 11, 202109:30
2021.W6.E4 Action

2021.W6.E4 Action

Transcript and notes and all that stuff at parallel.olliepalmer.com

Apr 11, 202111:33
2021.W6.E3 Action

2021.W6.E3 Action

Full show notes at parallel.olliepalmer.com


Exercises

  • Self-reflection freewrite (5 minutes)
    List as many mystical objects as you can, ranging from the completely mundane to the outlandishly fantastical. We surround ourselves with objects that have special significance to us or others, which may seem irrational to an outsider. Today we’ll be creating a list of real-world and fictional objects which have special significance.
  • Free write about objects that have special significance to you. Do you keep a picture in your wallet? Do you carry something someone gave you? Do you use the same thing every day? What objects around you have significance? (5 minutes)
  • Make a list of objects with fictional significance or powers. You could work in several ways here: you could take objects you can see, and make up powers that they have (e.g. the pencil sharpener on my desk is forged of dragon-steel; this smartphone can actually steal souls) or make up objects and their powers (e.g. if worn, these shoes make the wearer as strong as an ox; glasses which make you ‘see the truth’), etc. If you find yourself going into detail on one object, go for it – but if you’d rather make a list, that’s also good! (5 minutes)
Apr 11, 202120:52
2021.W6.E2 Action
Apr 11, 202121:56
2021.W6.E1 Action
Apr 11, 202114:47
2021.W5.E2 Reflection: Sound design

2021.W5.E2 Reflection: Sound design

This episode is just a link to two other articles on other peoples' podcasts:

  1. Rain is sizzling bacon, cars are lions roaring: the art of sound in movies by Jordan Kinsner in the Guardian
    (audio version here / text version here)
    Written by Jordan Kisner and read by Christopher Ragland; Produced by Simon Barnard.
  2. Sounds natural by 99 Percent Invisible.
    (listen here)
    Producer Emmett FitzGerald spoke with film producer Chris Palmer; Foley artist Richard Hinton and sound recordist Chris Watson.


========

If you want to listen to more, look at these interesting 99 Percent Invisible audio episodes

And these practical guides:

Apr 06, 202102:22
2021.W5.E1 Reflection: The House by Nick Bromann
Apr 06, 202112:14
2021.W4.E5 Action
Mar 23, 202118:47
2021.W4.E4 Action
Mar 23, 202107:45
2021.W4.E3 Action
Mar 23, 202112:27
2021.W4.E2 Action
Mar 23, 202114:04
2021.W4.E1 Action
Mar 23, 202115:55
2021.W3.E2 Reflection: Matrix of Salvis by Salvis Slavišens

2021.W3.E2 Reflection: Matrix of Salvis by Salvis Slavišens

Today’s episode was made by Salvis Slavišens, a Situated Design student who took this course last year. More information and full credits at https://parallel.olliepalmer.com/2021/podcast/w03e02.

Music in this episode by Ketsa (Multiverse) and Daniel Birch (Amber Haze), both used with Creative Commons licenses.

Mar 16, 202108:19
2021.W3.E1 Reflection: Counterfactuals
Mar 16, 202128:08
2021.W2.E5 Action
Mar 12, 202113:43
2021.W2.E4 Action
Mar 11, 202114:10
2021.W2.E3 Action
Mar 10, 202112:13
2021.W2.E2 Action
Mar 09, 202112:11
2021.W2.E1 Action
Mar 08, 202114:50
2021.W1.E4 Reflection: Interview with Amy Butt, part 2

2021.W1.E4 Reflection: Interview with Amy Butt, part 2

Today we talk to Amy Butt, architect, lecturer, design tutor in architecture, and independent researcher. But today we’re talking about Amy’s other passion – science fiction. This is part two of a two-part podcast! Please listen to the first half first if you haven't already. :)

If you want to read up on any of the subjects touched upon here, we talk about:

Novels / Short stories:

  • Pamela Zoline (1988) The Heat Death of the Universe
  • JG Ballard (1975) High Rise
  • Moshin Hamid (2017) Exit West
  • Doris Lessing (1974) Memoirs of a Survivor
  • Kim Stanley Robinson (2017) New York 2140 (and briefly Three Californias Trilogy!)
  • Octavia Butler (1993) Parable of the Sower
  • Chen Qiufan (2013) The Waste Tide
  • N. K. Jemisin (2013) The Fifth Season (book one of the Broken Earth trilogy)

Essays / Theory:

  • J. G. Ballard (1962) “Which way to inner space”, New Worlds, #118
  • Kodwo Eshun (2003) ‘Further Considerations on Afrofuturism’ The New Centennial Review, Volume 3, Number 2 - (quoted -  “Assemble counter memories that contest the historical archive”)
  • Kodwo Eshun (1998) More Brilliant than the Sun (book on the music of Afrofuturism)
  • Dan Hassler-Forest (2014) “The Politics of World-Building: Heteroglossia in Janelle Monáe's Afrofuturist WondaLand” Para-doxa Volume 26
  • Kathleen Spencer (1983) ‘"The Red Sun Is High, the Blue Low": Towards a Stylistic Description of Science Fiction’ Science Fiction Studies, Vol. 10, No. 1
  • Darko Suvin (1979) Metamorphoses of Science Fiction: On the Poetics and History of a Literary Genre

Many thanks to Amy for taking the time to talk to us! Full show notes at https://parallel.olliepalmer.com/2021/podcast/w01e04

Mar 04, 202128:25
2021.W1.E3 Reflection: Interview with Amy Butt, part 1

2021.W1.E3 Reflection: Interview with Amy Butt, part 1

Today we talk to Amy Butt, architect, lecturer, design tutor in architecture, and independent researcher. But today we’re talking about Amy’s other passion – science fiction. This is part one of a two-part podcast! Please listen in again tomorrow for more of our conversation.

If you want to read up on any of the subjects touched upon here, we talk about:

Novels / Short stories:

  • Pamela Zoline (1988) The Heat Death of the Universe
  • JG Ballard (1975) High Rise
  • Moshin Hamid (2017) Exit West
  • Doris Lessing (1974) Memoirs of a Survivor
  • Kim Stanley Robinson (2017) New York 2140 (and briefly Three Californias Trilogy!)
  • Octavia Butler (1993) Parable of the Sower
  • Chen Qiufan (2013) The Waste Tide
  • N. K. Jemisin (2013) The Fifth Season (book one of the Broken Earth trilogy)

Essays / Theory:

  • J. G. Ballard (1962) “Which way to inner space”, New Worlds, #118
  • Kodwo Eshun (2003) ‘Further Considerations on Afrofuturism’ The New Centennial Review, Volume 3, Number 2 - (quoted -  “Assemble counter memories that contest the historical archive”)
  • Kodwo Eshun (1998) More Brilliant than the Sun (book on the music of Afrofuturism)
  • Dan Hassler-Forest (2014) “The Politics of World-Building: Heteroglossia in Janelle Monáe's Afrofuturist WondaLand” Para-doxa Volume 26
  • Kathleen Spencer (1983) ‘"The Red Sun Is High, the Blue Low": Towards a Stylistic Description of Science Fiction’ Science Fiction Studies, Vol. 10, No. 1
  • Darko Suvin (1979) Metamorphoses of Science Fiction: On the Poetics and History of a Literary Genre

Many thanks to Amy for taking the time to talk to us! Full show notes at parallel.olliepalmer.com/2021/podcast/w01e03

Mar 04, 202134:52
2021.W1.E2 Reflection: Sem Panhuizen’s Identical But Not Identical

2021.W1.E2 Reflection: Sem Panhuizen’s Identical But Not Identical

Sem Panhuizen’s Identifal But Not Identical
Mar 03, 202110:50
2021.W1.E1 Reflection: Ye Xu’s A Foggy Day

2021.W1.E1 Reflection: Ye Xu’s A Foggy Day

Today’s episode was made by Ye Xu, a Situated Design student who took this course last year. More information and full credits at https://parallel.olliepalmer.com/2021/podcast/w01e01.

Music in this episode by Ketsa (Multiverse) and Daniel Birch (Amber Haze), both used with Creative Commons licenses.

Mar 02, 202113:22
2021 Parallel Worlds introduction
Mar 01, 202110:05
Week 5 Episode 5: Interview with Tim Clare
Sep 07, 202001:09:24
Week 5 Episode 4: Interview with Abi Palmer
Sep 03, 202001:22:03
Week 5 Episode 3: Final exercises
Jul 13, 202015:59
Week 5 Bonus and update
Jun 08, 202004:11
Week 5 Episode 2: Exercises - your worst review
May 12, 202024:00
Week 5 Episode 1: Exercises - your best review
May 12, 202028:23
Week 4 Episode 5: Interview with Amy Butt, part 2

Week 4 Episode 5: Interview with Amy Butt, part 2

Today we talk to Amy Butt, architect, lecturer, design tutor in architecture, and independent researcher. But today we’re talking about Amy’s other passion – science fiction. This is part two of a two-part podcast! It will make more sense if you've already listened to part 1. 😀️

If you want to read up on any of the subjects touched upon here, we talk about:

Novels / Short stories:

  • Pamela Zoline (1988) The Heat Death of the Universe
  • JG Ballard (1975) High Rise
  • Moshin Hamid (2017) Exit West
  • Doris Lessing (1974) Memoirs of a Survivor
  • Kim Stanley Robinson (2017) New York 2140 (and briefly Three Californias Trilogy!)
  • Octavia Butler (1993) Parable of the Sower
  • Chen Qiufan (2013) The Waste Tide
  • N. K. Jemisin (2013) The Fifth Season (book one of the Broken Earth trilogy)

Essays / Theory:

  • J. G. Ballard (1962) “Which way to inner space”, New Worlds, #118
  • Kodwo Eshun (2003) ‘Further Considerations on Afrofuturism’ The New Centennial Review, Volume 3, Number 2 - (quoted -  “Assemble counter memories that contest the historical archive”)
  • Kodwo Eshun (1998) More Brilliant than the Sun (book on the music of Afrofuturism)
  • Dan Hassler-Forest (2014) “The Politics of World-Building: Heteroglossia in Janelle Monáe's Afrofuturist WondaLand” Para-doxa Volume 26
  • Kathleen Spencer (1983) ‘"The Red Sun Is High, the Blue Low": Towards a Stylistic Description of Science Fiction’ Science Fiction Studies, Vol. 10, No. 1
  • Darko Suvin (1979) Metamorphoses of Science Fiction: On the Poetics and History of a Literary Genre

Many thanks to Amy for taking the time to talk to us! Full show notes at parallel.olliepalmer.com/podcast

May 08, 202028:55
Week 4 Episode 4: Interview with Amy Butt, part 1

Week 4 Episode 4: Interview with Amy Butt, part 1

Today we talk to Amy Butt, architect, lecturer, design tutor in architecture, and independent researcher. But today we’re talking about Amy’s other passion – science fiction. This is part one of a two-part podcast! Please listen in again tomorrow for more of our conversation.  


If you want to read up on any of the subjects touched upon here, we talk about: 

Novels / Short stories:

  • Pamela Zoline (1988) The Heat Death of the Universe
  • JG Ballard (1975) High Rise
  • Moshin Hamid (2017) Exit West
  • Doris Lessing (1974) Memoirs of a Survivor
  • Kim Stanley Robinson (2017) New York 2140 (and briefly Three Californias Trilogy!)
  • Octavia Butler (1993) Parable of the Sower
  • Chen Qiufan (2013) The Waste Tide
  • N. K. Jemisin (2013) The Fifth Season (book one of the Broken Earth trilogy) 

Essays / Theory

  • J. G. Ballard (1962) “Which way to inner space”, New Worlds, #118 
  • Kodwo Eshun (2003) ‘Further Considerations on Afrofuturism’ The New Centennial Review, Volume 3, Number 2 - (quoted -  “Assemble counter memories that contest the historical archive”) 
  • Kodwo Eshun (1998) More Brilliant than the Sun (book on the music of Afrofuturism) 
  • Dan Hassler-Forest (2014) “The Politics of World-Building: Heteroglossia in Janelle Monáe's Afrofuturist WondaLand” Para-doxa Volume 26 
  • Kathleen Spencer (1983) ‘"The Red Sun Is High, the Blue Low": Towards a Stylistic Description of Science Fiction’ Science Fiction Studies, Vol. 10, No. 1 
  • Darko Suvin (1979) Metamorphoses of Science Fiction: On the Poetics and History of a Literary Genre 

Many thanks to Amy for taking the time to talk to us! Full show notes at parallel.olliepalmer.com/podcast

May 07, 202034:19
Week 4 Episode 3: Exercises: Synthesis

Week 4 Episode 3: Exercises: Synthesis

Today we're synthesising work from Week 2, Episode 5 with the list we made yesterday! Full transcript and exercises available at the Parallel Worlds website. Enjoy!
May 06, 202030:00
Week 4 Episode 2: Exercises (a list of things)
May 05, 202019:39
Week 4 Episode 1: Listening to Six House Parties by Ross Sutherland

Week 4 Episode 1: Listening to Six House Parties by Ross Sutherland

This episode we're mixing it up a little, and listening to a story from another podcast! This episode features Ross Sutherland’s story Six House Parties, which is part of his podcast Imaginary Advice. You can also listen to the original story on Soundcloud, but I really recommend you subscribe to Imaginary Advice with your favourite podcast app!  

Many thanks to Ross for letting us use this segment. A full transcript of Ollie’s part of this episode is available at the Parallel Worlds website.

May 04, 202032:51
Week 3 Episode 6: Conversation with Sarah Lugthart

Week 3 Episode 6: Conversation with Sarah Lugthart

This week, I speak to Sarah Lugthart from the Master Institute of Visual Cultures about her work on the Immersive Storytelling minor, techniques from the world of immersive theatre and audio, and some general ideas about prototyping experiences. For notes including references to the works we discuss, and a (not-quite-perfect) transcript, visit the Parallel Worlds site at parallel.olliepalmer.com

Apr 16, 202038:23