Gain Storytelling Skills for the Digital Age
In the Center for Experiential Narrative Technologies (CENT), Point Park University students will receive training in cutting-edge technologies and art in order to design immersive user experiences.
Working with emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, generative artificial intelligence and immersive media, students will learn innovative storytelling techniques that can be applied to fields such as entertainment, edutainment, social media and others.
The Pioneers of CENT
In fall 2024, an introductory course will be offered at Point Park. The course will examine the history and consider the future of experiential narratives and explore the creative possibilities of extended reality, generative artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Small, interdisciplinary teams will build prototyped interactive worlds to meet the real-world needs of actual community clients. The course will culminate in a hybrid demonstration of student projects.
This class will be limited in size but is open to students of all majors. To register, please email your Academic Advisor to let them know you would like COMM295: Special Topics: CENT added to your schedule. You can find contact information for your advisor here. You can also contact the Managing Director of University Advising, Angelo Gargaro, at agargaro@pointpark.edu.
The future of CENT
As CENT continues to develop, further opportunities will be given to Point Park students to gain hands-on experience that prepares them for careers at the intersection of technology, media and storytelling such as:
Immersive Media Development
- Virtual reality (VR) developer
- Augmented Reality (AR) developer
- 360° video production
Interactive Storytelling
- Interactive narrative designer
- Transmedia storyteller
- Experience designer
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science
- AI/machine-learning engineer
- Data visualization specialist
- Computational narrative analyst
Digital Media and Live Entertainment
- Live experience design and production
- Digital media producer
- Game designer
- Immersive experience creator
Center for Experiential Narrative Technology Staff
Dr. Donald Marinelli, director
CENT was conceived of by Dr. Donald Marinelli, who comes to Point Park with decades of experience in both theater and the intersection of entertainment and technology. "CENT revels in Pittsburgh's claim to being the City of Bridges," Marinelli said. "CENT will be another one of those bridges, connecting analog and digital technologies in ways never before imagined."
Marinelli spent 31 years at Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as associate head of drama from 1981-1995 and co-founded the world-renowned Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center (ETC). He continues to teach at multiple universities and is excited to bring this knowledge and experience to Point Park.
"CENT recognizes the incredible power residing at every young person's fingertips: their smartphone, their PC, their connection to the online world," Marinelli said. "How to use this power for the good of humanity is the mission of CENT."
Chris Gaul, assistant director
Chris Gaul has served as the director and head coach of Point Park's esports team for four years. Before this, he was the director and head coach of esports at Northern Virginia Community college, developing an esports program for the second largest community college in the nation. Gaul is a graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in economics and a minor in physics. Gaul has been involved in colligate esports for a decade. Additionally, he has used his knowledge and background to build curriculum and has served as an adjunct professor at Point Park teaching esports management.
"CENT offers students at Point Park an opportunity to do be on the forefront of innovation and development of the future of narrative media technology and techniques," he said.