Digital Storytelling An introduction to using digital pictures and Windows Movie Maker to create compelling stories

What is Digital Storytelling? Digital Storytelling is a multimedia presentation using photographs, music and narration to communicate a message. Digital Storytelling is a multimedia presentation using photographs, music and narration to communicate a message. Storytelling – relating a tale to one or more listeners through voice and gesture Storytelling – relating a tale to one or more listeners through voice and gesture Not just reading a story out loud – the storyteller re- creates a series of mental images through words, gestures and sounds Not just reading a story out loud – the storyteller re- creates a series of mental images through words, gestures and sounds Each listener derives own meanings from the story Each listener derives own meanings from the story

What is Digital Storytelling What makes up a compelling story? What makes up a compelling story? Drama Drama Emotion Emotion Music Music Powerful Images Powerful Images Descriptive Writing Descriptive Writing Something to which the listener/viewer can relate Something to which the listener/viewer can relate

Types of Personal Stories The Story About Someone Important to You The Story About Someone Important to You Character Stories Character Stories Finding meaning in a relationship with person or pet Finding meaning in a relationship with person or pet Why is this person or pet important to you? Why is this person or pet important to you? Family Member or Friend Family Member or Friend Girlfriend? Girlfriend? A professional athlete or actor A professional athlete or actor Memorial Stories Memorial Stories Honoring or remembering people who have passed away Honoring or remembering people who have passed away

Types of Personal Stories The Story About an Event in Your Life The Story About an Event in Your Life Adventure Stories Adventure Stories Could be a vacation or time spent in a new environment Could be a vacation or time spent in a new environment Could be a emotional adventure Could be a emotional adventure Accomplishment Stories Accomplishment Stories Stories about achieving some kind of goal Stories about achieving some kind of goal Athletically, Academically, etc. Athletically, Academically, etc. 5 W’s and How 5 W’s and How What, Where, When, Who and How What, Where, When, Who and How

Types of Personal Stories The Story About a Place in Your Life The Story About a Place in Your Life What places in your life are important to you? What places in your life are important to you? Church or School? Church or School? Your Room or Your House? Your Room or Your House? Your Car? Your Car? Football Field? Football Field? A place you would like to visit A place you would like to visit The Story About What I Do? The Story About What I Do? Is your hobby or job important to you? Is your hobby or job important to you? What is your job/hobby and why is it important to you? What is your job/hobby and why is it important to you? Highlight and Lowlights? Highlight and Lowlights? Mentor? Mentor? How has the job/hobby affected your life and family? How has the job/hobby affected your life and family?

Seven Elements of Storytelling Point of View Define what you are trying to communicate with your story – WHAT IS YOUR POINT? The viewer may forget the story… but should always remember your point Dramatic Question Sets up your story and alerts the viewer of what to look for What is the meaning of friendship? What is love? Why is Lebron James so good? How has LSCHS helped me grow as a person? Who am I? The question should be answered by the end of the story!

Seven Elements of Storytelling Emotional Content Emotions of the story should grab attention of the viewer Love and Friendship Death and Loss Acceptance and Rejection Growth and Fighting Through Adversity Honor and Remembrance The Gift of Your Voice Your Voice-Over is a Powerful tool You can “say” something to someone without having to say it to them directly Rare opportunity to hear your own voice Your script should be a well-written emotional short essay about your topic

Seven Elements of Storytelling The Power of the Soundtrack Music is an extremely powerful tool through out life Music can stir emotions Make sure song is appropriate including lyrics The music should ADD to the project and compliment the voice-over The viewer may forget the story… but should always remember your point Economical Writing You need to say a lot in as few words as possible This is not an 6 page English Paper – 2 minutes maximum Pictures and Script should work together to create an appealing project Storyboard your project using pictures and script to envision the project Closure Wrap up the topic by the end of the project – answer the dramatic question!

Seven Elements of Storytelling Pacing Rhythm of a story keeps people interested Use dramatic pauses when necessary Use change of speeds to indicate change in emotion Edit your pictures to work with the audio – quick edits for exciting action Make sure your story can breathe! If it is too long, take out some copy… don’t just talk faster!

Examples of Digital Storytelling High school students storytelling/examples.htm storytelling/examples.htm University of Houston students stories.htm stories.htm 7 th Grade Students

Where to Begin? STEP 1: Choose a topic STEP 1: Choose a topic Topic Suggestion: Who Am I? Topic Suggestion: Who Am I? Find a person, thing or event in your life that you would like to write about and of which you have pictures Find a person, thing or event in your life that you would like to write about and of which you have pictures Topic : Select from list of topics we went over in class Topic : Select from list of topics we went over in class Could be about family, friends, hobbies etc. Could be about family, friends, hobbies etc.

The Storytelling Process STEP 2: Collect Photographs STEP 2: Collect Photographs Collect as many photographs as possible Collect as many photographs as possible At Least 25 Pictures At Least 25 Pictures Digital Pictures Digital Pictures Bring in pictures on a CD/DVD or memory card Bring in pictures on a CD/DVD or memory card Film Pictures Film Pictures Bring in by Wednesday at latest to scan images Bring in by Wednesday at latest to scan images Internet Images Internet Images Download images from the WWW and save them to specific folder Download images from the WWW and save them to specific folder Find Images that will help tell your story! Find Images that will help tell your story!

The Storytelling Process STEP 3: Write the Essay STEP 3: Write the Essay Write a one-page double spaced essay about your topic Write a one-page double spaced essay about your topic Start with an outline Start with an outline Use the words from the outline in your essay Use the words from the outline in your essay Remember to shorten text! Remember to shorten text! Essay DUE: WEDNESDAY at Start of Class! Essay DUE: WEDNESDAY at Start of Class! Print out 2 copies Print out 2 copies Classmate will serve as an editor for your draft and correct mistakes Classmate will serve as an editor for your draft and correct mistakes

The Storytelling Process STEP 4: Choose Music STEP 4: Choose Music Choose at least 1 song, preferably more than 1 Choose at least 1 song, preferably more than 1 Use music to introduce and end your project Use music to introduce and end your project Also use music under narration to add energy or emotion to script Also use music under narration to add energy or emotion to script Make sure the music and narration works with your theme! Make sure the music and narration works with your theme! Bring in music on a CD or Thumb drive Bring in music on a CD or Thumb drive

The Storytelling Process STEP 5: Construct Story Board STEP 5: Construct Story Board Take your essay and decide how many pictures you will need for musical introduction – no more than 5 Take your essay and decide how many pictures you will need for musical introduction – no more than 5 Follow along your essay and determine which pictures will go where in the final project Follow along your essay and determine which pictures will go where in the final project Keep pictures visible for 5-10 seconds at the most Keep pictures visible for 5-10 seconds at the most Choose pictures for the musical closing Choose pictures for the musical closing

The Storytelling Process STEP 6: Record Narration STEP 6: Record Narration When essay is proofread and corrected, you will record your narration digitally in WEXP When essay is proofread and corrected, you will record your narration digitally in WEXP You will need to have narration done at some point by Thursday You will need to have narration done at some point by Thursday Set up an appointment to see me during or after school on Wednesday Set up an appointment to see me during or after school on Wednesday Rehearse your script several times prior to recording Rehearse your script several times prior to recording Mark script where you need to make pauses or emphasize words Mark script where you need to make pauses or emphasize words

The Storytelling Process STEP 7: Construct your Project STEP 7: Construct your Project You will begin editing the project on Thursday using Windows Movie Maker You will begin editing the project on Thursday using Windows Movie Maker Project will be due on Wednesday (Exam Day) by 3 pm Project will be due on Wednesday (Exam Day) by 3 pm You will have class time and you can use the lab after/before school and during breaks on your exam days You will have class time and you can use the lab after/before school and during breaks on your exam days Remember to use pictures, music, animation and titles to create an appealing project Remember to use pictures, music, animation and titles to create an appealing project Project should be 2-3 minutes Project should be 2-3 minutes

Windows Movie Maker What is Windows Movie Maker? What is Windows Movie Maker? It is a video editing program which comes for free with all Microsoft Windows operating systems It is a video editing program which comes for free with all Microsoft Windows operating systems Click on: Programs Click on: Programs Find – Windows Movie Maker and Click on it Find – Windows Movie Maker and Click on it The program is much like Adobe Premiere Pro, but with a much more user-friendly interface The program is much like Adobe Premiere Pro, but with a much more user-friendly interface The program allows us to: The program allows us to: Edit Video and Pictures Edit Video and Pictures Add narration, music and sound effects Add narration, music and sound effects Create text, graphics and credits Create text, graphics and credits Use Animation on text and transitions to add visual appeal Use Animation on text and transitions to add visual appeal

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