FanTrust President Catherine Warren's joins VIDFEST's Convergence 2008, asking "Are You Talking To Me?" This session will consider whether widespread broadband penetration will change the way brands need to communicate to large audiences to drive response, the importance of balancing awareness and relationships and the opportunities and potential pitfalls of being a true market leader in the digital realm. Date and time: Thursday, May 22, 4pm Location: Granville Island Arts Club Theatre, 1585 Johnston St., Revue Stage

The relationship between games and storytelling is usually more "hook-up" than "marriage". But it's a match that audiences crave and that FanTrust has counseled for years. Storytelling is critical to compelling entertainment, videogames included. So with the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, I was psyched to see a game that Gamespot praises for its "superb" storyline and characters. The key to the franchise's success is storytelling, GTA IV writer/director Lazlow ...