I always like hearing about brand-new apps, and here's one that's just been released. It's called YouQuest, and it was created by a company called 500 BC. In fact, when I clicked on the 500 BC site, I was greeted by a line which read, "Update your life, not your status," and I have to admit that this caught my interest!
The idea of the YouQuest app is that it is a game of self-discovery. As you use the app, you explore history and imagine your own ancient past. The app incorporates timeless wisdom from ancestors like Buddha. The app gives you a two-fold journey: discovering the past, and discovering yourself.
When we think about smartphones, the first thing we think of isn't generally inner wisdom or self-discovery, is it? YouQuest wants you to start using your phone for different purposes, rather than always skimming the surface of our usual activities of instant messaging, looking at viral videos, and so on.
YouQuest utilizes an algorithm and starts by guiding the user, over time, through a series of quizzes and offering targeted wisdom based on the user's responses.
The app was inspired by 500 BC's founder, Carol Phelan-Marsh, reflecting on her daughter's experience surviving cancer. She said, "My daughter survived bone cancer, and had to dig deep to do it (we all did). We used every tool, ancient and modern, to help her successfully battle osteosarcoma. I swore if she came through this that I'd launch a product to help others find their inner warriors."
Paul Etienne is the founder and project manager of 1Branch. His background includes graphic design and web and mobile development, and he has published games in iOS and Android in the past. Paul is a Christian looking for his true purpose, but he found he was sometimes afraid to ask questions of members of his church because he's been going to church for so long, so in 1Branch he has created a platform where people can feel free to express themselves and to find their true purpose.
1. Could you tell us a little more about some of the features you wanted to include when you came up with the idea for 1Branch--and also, how did you choose the name?
I wanted to include: a church suggestion feature that would send you notifications about suggestions for churches to attend based on reviews whenever you go to a new town or city. I came up with the name from John 15:5, in which Jesus said, "I am the Vine. You are the branches." 1Branch means each of us is 1 branch from Jesus' vine.
2. Is going to a website on a computer the only way to access or sign up for 1Branch?
No, right now we know everyone is always busy and always on the go, so there is a very responsive version of 1Branch for all mobile phones. Also, the official 1Branch app is available in the Apple app store, and in Google Play by just typing "1Branch" in your app store's search bar.
3. How have you been reaching out so far to tell people about 1Branch?
So far, we have used press releases to let the press know about 1Branch, and we use social media a lot to get the word out. Social media is now the new "word of mouth," and it is very powerful, so when people see something they like, they share it on social media with their friends.
4. The impression I got from checking out the site is that the main idea is that it's a place for conversations and mutual support. How would you describe your goals in building it--and where do you hope to see it go over the next year?
The spirit of 1Branch is to embrace the totality of the religious experience; I want to enable people to talk about issues that really matter to them, even if they are considered off-limits. When a user signs up, that user is asked to enter a denomination. This is the "Branching" section of the network. Branching offers two streams: "Dirty Laundry" and "General," and those streams are specific to the chosen denomination.
Dirty Laundry allows users to post freely and anonymously about things they don't like or don't understand, or things that confuse them, and even about secrets a denomination may have. Anyone (within the denomination branch) can comment on the posts to bring answers and clarification. The idea is to connect people who know the truth to people who are seeking the truth, so I hope that a lot of people contribute to the overall experience of 1Branch. I hope to hear people talk about how they have found the truth through 1Branch.
5. Based on your own experience, what's your advice to other people who want to develop their own apps?
If you have a good and unique idea, then go for it. Reach out to people who have done it before, and ask for advice if there are things that you do not know how to do. There are a lot of resources out there for people who are willing to learn. "Ask and it will be given to you." Matthew 7:7
Daniel Louis Rappaport has been in the business of digital media for over 28 years. His varied entertainment background has included everything for being magic director for the musical Pippin, to doing animation for a webisode series for Chris Kattan, to doing audio design for Virgin, and even running children's birthday parties at The Walt Disney Company.
Over the past 15 or so years of Daniel's 28 years working in digital media, he has been dreaming up Pazzaria Productions, which, as of 2012, is finally starting to come into reality.
1. How has your background in digital media prepared you for the creation of Pazzaria Productions?
My background and education in digital media has provided me with the tools needed to put together things like my website, my social media pages, and especially our project coming out in June.
I have always been curious by nature, especially in the areas of art, music, and design.
Quite often, one professes an interest in just one area, be it photography, music composition, graphic design, etc... I have chosen to study many different areas, and thusly, to both practice, and sell these services.
Why, I can even cook in the French haute cuisine style!
What I have come to realize is, things like writing, perfectly spaced typography, the hero's journey, utilizing timeless themes that are hot in the media, knowing about technology enough to get what I need to get done, done, etc... are all tools to a much larger end--this end mainly being that of one where, at the moment, everything that I am doing is to create buzz for the June project.
When June hits, everything that I do will be to sell that work.
Getting back to my digital media background... After, and continuing to learn about all of these different areas, I merely call upon the tool that I need, to accomplish my task.
2. What is the meaning of "Pazzaria" and how did you come to choose it for the name of your project?
That's a great question! The term "Pazzaria" actually means crazy, or nuthouse in Italian. We are using it in a playful, but respectful manner.
It is the name of a town from another property that we were looking at, and will produce at a later time, due to it still being in production, entitled "The Toy Maker and the Trickster." A silly, yet fun inbred king runs that town. It is a delightful scene!
The "P" logo is inspired by the fantasy genre. For me, the colors green and purple are that of dragon and faery, while the brown is very much the earth, and grounds the logo.
There is also a "D" inside the middle of the logo. Can you guess what company may have inspired it?
3. Can you tell us about some of the ways that individuals will be able to interact with the fantasy world you are creating?
Well, that IS a question! I would be more than happy to! I cannot give out any specifics, because I don't want to give away what the June project is all about.
What I will say is that, from a producing (which is an art in its own right, and deserves way more credit that Hollywood gives it) thrust and angle, I believe that we have come to a standstill. Bringing it back to the Pazzaria Productions mission statement: "Everything a guest sees, eats, buys, touches, does, wears, and so on all has to do with their own personal adventure within our world."
Virtual reality. Video games. Theme parks. Film. Radio. TV, etc... All are wonderful platforms. However, none of these fully thrust, and totally engage the audience.
What happens when you turn off the TV, leave the theme park, etc...? For the most part, you leave the work behind.
Sure, in a video game, it is all first person. But, the whole problem with that is that it exists in a flat video screen.
How does one extend the story beyond these mediums? This is the very question that Pazzaria Productions strives to answer. So, our project coming out in June is a start in that direction.
You might be excited to know that it will be available for an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. Which one, we aren't saying until its release!
This video gives some hints about our project.
4. How does Pazzaria combine the unique adventures of individuals with storytelling in a broader sense (stories that already exist in a fantasy world and aren't dependent on the actions of individual participants)?
Well, I sort of answered some of this in question 3. I will do my best!
See, with Pazzaria Productions, that's just it. That is the grand experiment. Will our story choices be entirely dependent upon the visitor, or vice versa? I guess you will just (yes, I say it again. He he he...) have to wait until June to find out!
5. When and how will we be able to learn more about what Pazzaria is and what it offers to visitors?
You just can't wait, can you, lol! I'm just playing... June, kids. Juney June June!
More than likely, it might be toward the end of June. That isn’t a definite, but it is what I am aiming for.
Why?
There are a lot of details to work out with Apple, and I honestly wish to take as much time as I can to market it.
I think that a summer release will be quite prudent, and June is simply when it will be ready. Any sooner, and the quality is reduced. Any longer, and, well, I have to set a date, don't I!
I can say that there is a second and third work planned. So, stay tuned!
*With all of this being said, if there are any major Hollywood studio heads out there reading this, and might wish to invest, please contact me at magic@pazzaria.com for an insiders view!
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