Contemporary Open Films: An Analysis of the Affective, Sensorial and Relational Geographies Produced by Contemporary Cinema Interfaces

This paper attempts to map emergent experiments in computationally-mediated interactive cinematography by addressing a selection of contemporary case studies that claim to move beyond traditional point and click decision-based narrative systems. The paper proposes the concept of the open film as a space to explore, rather than a line to follow: a decentralised, hypercursal experience that manifests no only through narrative permutations, but also through experimental modes of participation made possible via networked data exchanges. This research endeavour proposes an approach to layered cinematic interfaces, where sensorial and affective modes of engagement seek to complement those of the narrative structure - a model exemplified through an analysis of the interactive film ‘Erica’ (Flavourworks, 2021), which demonstrates progression towards the ideal of the open film through its deployment of haptic technologies.