I wrote a story for Wired News today about the American Film Institute's eTV workshop, which kicked off this Wednesday in Hollywood. Phonecammed a few snapshots live from the event, which you can see here (click "back" to proceed through series of snapshots). Participating networks with interactive TV programs in development include PBS, Bloomberg, ABC, FUSE Networks, and The Disney Channel.
[A]s interactive developers debated the pros and cons of "The Rashomon Factor" — a term coined by AFI New Media Ventures Associate Director Anna Marie Piersimoni for programs that tell one story through multiple points of view — some television producers called for a reality check.
"Audiences are lazy and TV still caters to the lowest common denominator," quipped Fifth Wheel and Blind Date Co-Executive Producer Harley Tat. "We're operating from a heady place where we're thinking about the future, but plenty of viewers don't have PCs and haven't upgraded their cell phones in years. If the information isn't right in front of them while they're microwaving mac and cheese, it's not going to happen. ETV has to be so simple that they can do it half-baked and horizontal on the couch."
