BOOMERBOT was a component of a transmedia interactive film project called Dared My Best Friend to Ruin My Life designed to represent the protagonist’s mother online and allow viewers to interact with her during the film’s week-long digital release.
DIGITAL CHARACTER DESIGN
Youtube videos featuring the actor from the movie reacting to plot elements as they unfold (watch all videos here)
Commenting in character on video releases and in chat forums
Posting “phone number” asking people to get in touch with information, which leads them to the textbot
TEXTBOT DESIGN
Co-created with William O’Connell (creator of Subtext)
Natural language processing allowing for realistic responses from the character
Branding dialogue options based on what users claim to know
The magic started to flow when we added Ellie DiBerardino, one of the most talented writers I know who is GREAT at exploring existential issues of reality through character, to play Zander's mom Maria Jones on the internet… After watching the finale, she delivers one of the most beautiful lines in the piece: "Zander wasn't lying. But he wasn't telling the truth either."
— Michael Morgenstern, “Dared My Best Friend to Ruin My Life” Director
TEAM
Michael Morgenstern - Film Director, Concept
Ellie DiBerardino - Writer, Narrative Designer, Keyboard Cast (Maria Jones)
William O’Connell - Text Bot Builder
Luly Trueba - Cinematic Performer (Maria Jones)