Watched a Good Book Lately?

I came across an interesting site last week: Deadbooks.com. It calls itself a "hyper-serialization," and I can't think of a better term for it. Basically, it's the Internet version of a book on tape, involving not only a vocal reading of books (in this case, the Deadbooks series by Hasso Wuerslin), but also sound effects, music, interactive elements and visuals that are like a living scrapbook -- not quite moving video, not quite static photos, but a hybrid that helps to overcome any glaring budgetary constraints in the production.

Wuerslin has dedicated eight years of his life to animating 150 chapters, utilizing over 100 actors and 40 musical groups from around the world. The first 38 chapters (10 hours' worth) are available online now. The story itself seems to be a horror-sci fi hybrid about a man on a mining ship that discovers a lifeless Earth. As the man explores, he's possessed by a ghost trying to get him to see the last days of its life. Judging from the demo chapters online, I can't tell if the writing is particularly great, but the end product is strangely hypnotic and a bit creepy. It's certainly something unique and innovative, and the hard work put into it is evident. Check it out at www.Deadbooks.com.