The Purpose Made Podcast Ep. 89 Jeff Gomez: The Hidden Genius Behind Avatar & Spider-Man Success
Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner & architect behind Marvel, Spider-Man, & Pirates of the Caribbean transmedia universes and more, reveals how storytelling is evolving in the digital age & why narrative shapes reality. In this profound conversation, Jeff shares his journey from a traumatic childhood in 1960s NYC to becoming the pioneer behind transmedia storytelling for the world's biggest franchises. Discover how Jeff's early escape into Japanese media like Godzilla laid the foundation for his revolutionary approach to creating interconnected story worlds across multiple platforms. Jeff reveals the shift from the traditional hero's journey to what he calls "collective journey narratives" - a storytelling model designed for our interconnected world. He explains how this approach has not only transformed entertainment but has been applied to address real-world crises in Colombia, Mexico, and Afghanistan. Learn why Jeff believes AI will dramatically change how stories are created while potentially threatening authentic human connection. The conversation explores why world-building comes before character development in transmedia, why Hollywood often treats IP as a funnel rather than a framework, and how ethical considerations must guide immersive environments.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 The Power and Wisdom of Storytelling
00:21 Jeff Gomez: From Chaos to Creativity
01:49 The Birth of a Storyteller
04:40 Early Influences: Godzilla and Japanese Media
08:06 Dungeons and Dragons: A Gateway to Story Worlds
09:07 From Fanzines to Professional Storytelling
11:22 World Building in Magic: The Gathering
13:09 Transmedia Storytelling in Hollywood
23:32 The Collective Journey: A New Narrative Model
28:27 Transmedia for Social Change
32:49 The Evolution of Social Media Personas
34:15 Impact of Social Media on Emotional Well-being
34:33 Narrative in the Digital Age
36:07 Story World Architecture and World Building
37:58 Audience Interaction and Fan Engagement
39:07 Geosynchronous Storytelling and Content Discoverability
40:24 Video Games and Narrative Adaptations
42:11 Current Trends in Storytelling
45:40 The Role of AI in Human Relationships
50:29 Hope for the Future of Storytelling
52:41 Transmedia Storytelling: Origins and Evolution
57:09 Emotional Resonance in Story Worlds
59:03 Ethical Considerations in Immersive Content
01:00:33 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
ABOUT JEFF GOMEZ:
Jeff Gomez is the CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment and a leading expert in story world development and narrative design. His pioneering work in transmedia storytelling has shaped how major franchises expand across multiple platforms. Jeff has contributed to blockbuster properties including Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Avatar, Halo, and Men in Black. His innovative approach to narrative has been applied not only in entertainment but also in addressing sociopolitical challenges worldwide.
EPISODE SUMMARY:
This conversation explores how storytelling is evolving in our digital age, the shift from hero's journey to collective narratives, and why Jeff believes that "if we have the power of Gods, we require the wisdom of Gods to use that power - and wisdom comes out of narrative." Learn how proper story architecture creates emotional resonance, why Hollywood often mismanages IP development, and how AI is transforming both storytelling and human relationships.
π± CONNECT WITH JEFF:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgomez/
ποΈ SUBSCRIBE for more conversations with industry innovators and creative pioneers.
π Hit the notification bell to never miss an episode.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.