VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - Oct 30, 2014) - The deadline for the debut Digital Extensions Story Lab conducted by storycentralLABS has now been extended to November 4, 2014. This groundbreaking 2-day hands-on collaborative workshop in association with SundanceTV will have participants develop an interactive, complementary digital element for a yet-to-be-revealed, exciting SundanceTV series, (sorry we can't tell you which one just yet!).

These two days of brainstorming will be co-presented to you by Drew Pisarra, the network's VP of Digital Media and Marketing. Pisarra oversees the digital and social media operations for SundanceTV -- home to critically acclaimed productions such as Rectify, The Red Road, The Honorable Woman and Top of the Lake and previously worked on AMC megahits, The Walking Dead, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad.

What would you do to enhance or market one of those shows? This is your chance to bring your ideas directly to the decision makers!

Digital content makers, storytellers, marketing and branding execs, scriptwriters, filmmakers, producers, social media mavericks and overall rockstars are encouraged to apply to this not to be missed opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of digital content and learn from industry leaders from across the globe.

The best in the biz with experience in major companies and projects such as Syfy, BBC Worldwide, eOne Entertainment, Hulu, American Idol, Game of Thrones, Conspiracy for Good, Fox, and Walt Disney Imagineering will be discussing topics such as audience behaviours across genres, storyworld building and interaction and the franchising and monetization of digital content.

Lab mentors include:

• Alan Seiffert - CEO - Digital Smash Enterprises

• Brian Seth Hurst - CEO/Managing Partner - The Opportunity Management Company/ StoryTech

• Esther Lim - Founder and Chief Experience Architect - The Estuary

• Jesse Albert - President - Xpansive Media

• Joerg Bachmaier - EVP International Production, BBC Worldwide

• Robert Pratten - CEO/Founder - Transmedia Storyteller Ltd

• Rochelle Grayson - Co-Founder - ArtSites.ca

The Digital Extensions Story Lab is being held on November 12-13 at the Georgian Court Hotel in Vancouver, as a precursor to Merging Media 5 Market & Talks produced by Canadian Media Production Association and Merging Media Productions.

The top 3 teams from the Lab, will then pitch their prototypes on stage during day-two of Merging Media 5 to a jury of international experts on the Vancity Theatre stage. The winning team will have the opportunity to sit down with the expert mentors, including Drew Pisarra, VP of Digital and Marketing at SundanceTV and Alison Norrington of storycentralLABS, to discuss further development of their prototype.

Apply by November 4, 2014 for an absolutely unbeatable value at $100 for a masterclass and collaborative lab at bit.ly/MM5tix. For more information on the Digital Extensions Story Lab, please visit: bit.ly/MM5ExtensionsLab.

About Merging Media Productions Inc.:

Merging Media Productions Inc. is an event production company that organizes programs and initiatives to promote the understanding of media, particularly in the digital media and convergent space, while providing strategic opportunities for partnerships to develop across media disciplines and international boundaries. Programs include professional development Labs and the flagship Merging Media Conference, recently rebranded as Merging Media Market & Talks, held annually in fall in Vancouver, British Columbia.

About CMPA:

The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) is Canada's leading trade association for independent producers. We represent more than 350 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films and digital media. The CMPA works on behalf of members to promote and stimulate the Canadian production industry. Our goal is to ensure the continued success of Canada's independent production sector and a future for Canadian content. The BC Producers' Branch of CMPA promotes the general interests of BC members all levels of government and industry stakeholders; negotiates and manages labour agreements with guilds and unions; and undertakes a variety of business development initiatives to build the capacity of BC based companies including co-production of Merging Media