Abstract: An apparatus for authoring multi-media assets into a final interactive multi-media application includes a storage device which stores one or more multi-media assets and one or more program objects. A display is provided for displaying a plurality of timelines. A graphical user interface allows the user to place icons representing one or more multi-media assets on a first of the timelines and icons representing one or more program objects on a second of the timelines. A processor integrates multi-media objects from the multi-media assets associated with the first timeline with the program objects associated with the second timeline to produce an interactive multi-media application. The processor also controls the playback or execution of the objects associated with the first and second timelines in a time sequence indicated by their position on a timeline.