This is a talk about how technology is used in fiction – the emotional storytelling made possible by both real and imagined technologies as they appear on stage, on screen, in audio drama, in music, and in prose.

How do storytellers make fictional technologies seem not merely convincing, but emotionally true?

And what can this tell us about developing the real-world technologies we use to tell our stories?

Tim X Atack is an award-winning writer and composer with credits including the eco sci-fi thriller series FOREST 404 for BBC Sounds, the Bruntwood Prize-winning play HEARTWORM, and many DOCTOR WHO audio adventures for Big Finish Productions.

His play DELAY, opening at Bristol Old Vic in June, is a queer sci-fi heartbreaker about two lovers exchanging audio messages across galactic distances, while they age at profoundly different speeds. DELAY is directed by studio resident Tanuja Amarasuriya.

https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/delay

timatack.co.uk

sleepdogs.org

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday, the 27th of June 2025 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the Q and A discussion afterwards. 

The Pervasive Media Studio is a partnership between the Watershed, University of the West of England and University of Bristol. The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region. Watershed is supported by Arts Council England.

Address:

Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:

The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted. 

For more information on accessing the studio take a look here.

*Please note this is a hybrid event and will be live streamed so please be aware you will be in the live broadcast and recording when watching in the Studio.