The two companies are beginning the collaboration by adding some of Henson’s children’s books to the Novel Effect mobile app, but they are already working on ambitious plans for interactive television programs.
Novel Effect’s mobile app uses speech recognition technology to bring music, sound effects, voices, and other audio flourishes to a story, following along with the reader to play the sounds at the appropriate moment.
So far the stories from Henon shows include Dinosaur Train, Fraggle Rock, Sid the Science Kid, and Word Party.
The neat thing about the technology is that the customized soundscapes can be played whether the book is read on the Novel Effect app or from a physical copy.
“Partnering with Novel Effect on this innovative project will bring our fans new ways to interact with their favorite characters and stories,” Stephanie Wise, director of digital and interactive media at The Jim Henson Company said in a statement. “Through the magic of Novel Effect’s unique voice technology, families can explore lessons of friendship, overcoming adversity, and the power of curiosity together in an exciting new format.”
However, books are only the first arena for collaboration between Novel Effect and The Jim Henson Company.
The companies are planning to release voice interactive television shows through multiple streaming services next year. Novel Effect has been experimenting with the format, creating short demonstrations of what watching the shows would be like to watch and interact with.
Henson and Novel Effect are planning to produce hundreds of episodes in the voice-driven format. The in-house production will be very limited, however, with most of the show developed by outside media brands. Novel Effect’s path to expanding its technology from books to video, and beyond may be smoother now that it can bring The Jim Henson Company’s along as a partner.
You can check out a preview of the technology below:
“Our mission is to empower kids and their grown-ups to read, listen, and have fun together every day through storytelling,” Novel Effect CEO Matt Hammersley said in a statement. “Generations of families, teachers, and children have been inspired by The Jim Henson Company’s legacy. We really can’t imagine a better fit for our families and educators.”
You can learn more about Novel Effect and get the aps for you phone here.
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