Private Project

Worldbuilding

Worldbuilding is the creative practice of constructing a new paradigm and place. Walk through the process of worldbuilding from the perspective of a child’s imaginary world, as well as from a writer’s craft perspective - and the overlap between.

Learn the best practices for worldbuilding from the specialists pioneering this area of study; psychologists Dr. Marjorie Taylor and Dr. Keith Oatley, as well as editor Jeni Chapelle, and award-winning authors Linda Sue Park, Eliot Treichel, and Jordan Ifueko.

  • Shauna C. Murphy
    Director
  • Shauna C. Murphy
    Key Cast
    "Narrator"
  • Linda Sue Park
    Key Cast
    "Contributor / Author"
  • Jordan Ifueko
    Key Cast
    "Contributor / Author"
  • Eliot Treichel
    Key Cast
    "Contributor / Author"
  • Dr. Marjorie Taylor
    Key Cast
    "Contributor / Child Psychologist "
  • Dr. Keith Oatley
    Key Cast
    "Contributor / Research Psychologist"
  • Jeni Chapelle
    Key Cast
    "Contributor / Editor"
  • Petra
    Key Cast
    "Child Worldbuilder "
  • Zoe
    Key Cast
    "Child Writer"
  • Selah
    Key Cast
    "Child with Imaginary Friends"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Oregon
  • 2022 United Kingdom Student Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    Honorable Mention
  • Changing Face International Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    Best Documentary Short
  • Story? - International Student Documentary Festival
    Cork
    Ireland
    November 4, 2021
    Official Selection
  • New Jersey Film Awards
    New Jersey
    United States
    Best Documentary Short
  • Green Mountain International Film Festival
    Burlington, Vermont
    United States
    Best Student Filmmaker
  • Crown Wood International Film Festival
    Kolkata
    India
    Official Selection
  • Dam Short Film Festival
    Boulder, Colorado
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Golden Nugget International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    Best Student Director / Official Selection
  • International Brightlight Film Festival
    Beverly Hills
    United States
    April 13, 2022
    Official Selection
  • The Fine Arts Film Festival
    Venice
    United States
  • Student Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
  • Los Angeles Core Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    July 19, 2022
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Filmhub
    Distributor
    Country: United States
Director Biography - Shauna C. Murphy

Shauna C. Murphy spent her school years in the city, surrounded by theatre. She spent her summers in the country, exploring the outdoors, and developed a love for nature, hidden wonders, and any kind of story.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When I first began research for Worldbuilding in the fall of 2020, I looked into various authors and specialists who had already studied the craft of worldbuilding for young audiences.

I quickly realized that any introduction to this art would be incomplete without the perspective of a child's own imaginary world.

The more I studied the worlds and characters that children created for themselves; some strange and mysterious - and others delightful and kind, I found that these imaginary places and people allowed for the children to step into who they truly were.

Seeing a young person's perspective made me realize I had only scratched the surface to unlocking the potential of worldbuilding - the true potential lies in the unique imagination of the reader.

I've realized the best worlds paint a larger perspective - and that perspective allows us to become who we truly are.

- Shauna