engage 2014 going dragon hunting

www.netskills.ac.uk

Going Dragon Hunting

Engage 2014 – NCCPE Conference Bristol 3 Dec

"Dragon with the Girl Tattoo" by Milos Milosevic: https://flic.kr/p/mbdKdT CC-BY

Going Dragon Hunting

Chris Thomson Caroline Ingram

Why tell stories?

Not life…

…an interpretation of it.

A tool for making sense of it.

Why by Katie Sayer https://flic.kr/p/9yaos5 CC-BY-SA 2.0

DE_Frankfurt_200708_030 by mandias https://flic.kr/p/5ovkjQ CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0

Norwich Street Art: Why do you do this? By markheybo https://flic.kr/p/7J6xFk CC-BY 2.0

Universal

"Hubble sees pinwheel of star birth" by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center BY http://flic.kr/p/8LoQNS

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Most cultures use storytelling as a means of communication Using something that's already there as a method, people are used to it

Crosses boundaries

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Stories don't rely on understanding internal structures/jargon Ideally suited for external comms Wrapper for important (potentially complex) messages – human connection (how something was discovered, relationships between people on the journey, etc – "Grand narrative from knowing to not knowing")

Window on something larger "Let's go outside!" by Marjan Lazarevski CC-BY-ND http://flic.kr/p/j2aL9r

Presenter

Presentation Notes

One of the main objections – you can't put all info into the story You're not meant to! (small stories – big points) Use small element to get someone's attention, make them want to find out more You're stories should aim to lead onto something (exploring exhibitions, go to the website, etc)

Entertaining and engaging "PopTech Day Three, Oct 2008 – 015" by Ed Yourdon BY-SA http://flic.kr/p/5wKtbb

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Stories are meant to be entertaining – not just delivering information, you want to get a reaction from people (can be strong emotion – anger, sadness, joy, or simple – interest)

Human face "Smiley Egg Head" by Frank Monnerjahn CC-BY-SA http://flic.kr/p/5aK8jA

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Good stories are about people some way The more you can identify with the person telling the story or people in it, the more powerful the story is Difficult to relate to buildings/institutions, engaging with a person natural Can be uncomfortable to do (as a storyteller)

What do we mean by digital storytelling? "Are you ready?" by ssh CC-BY http://flic.kr/p/27LUj

Engage 2014 - Going Dragon Hunting

© Netskills 2013

The format

Short – 2-3 mins Recorded voiceover Still images – enhanced with subtle effects Text Optional music & sound effects Minimal or no use of video


© Netskills 2013

Scientific research

https://vimeo.com/45072236

https://vimeo.com/45072236


© Netskills 2013

Public engagement

http://youtu.be/emvVToYIOhQ

http://youtu.be/emvVToYIOhQ

www.netskills.ac.uk

Writing for digital stories

Working within constraints

By juhansonin: http://flic.kr/p/8NjJmC


© JISC Netskills 2013

Beginning – middle - end

…"but not necessarily in that order". Jean Luc Goddard

Linear Reordered Episodic Dip in & out Parallel

…"but not necessarily in that order". Jean Luc Goddard

The "stakes"

Journeys

"Icelandic Road" By Chalky Lives CC-BY http://flic.kr/p/5oLpDA

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Decide what type of story it is Tolstoy – all great literature made out of two types of stories – someone goes on a journey, stranger comes to town Journey – energy of the story is internal – someone has decided to go and change something (either in themselves or in the world) dissatisfaction with the status quo

Defeating the dragon

"Dragon with the Girl Tattoo" by Milos Milosevic: https://flic.kr/p/mbdKdT CC-BY

Above all, change "Making the Change" by Jay-P CC-BY-ND http://flic.kr/p/pFUjp

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Main point – whether a journey or dragon, story should talk about change in some way Where you end up is different from where you started Could be very small change Story vs. case study – often CS talks about how things are, what we do – stories: what was is like before, what's changed

"The Anxious Type" by JD Hancock CC-BY http://flic.kr/p/6qLxSy

Tell small stories to make a big point

Presenter

Presentation Notes

You only have a short amount of time in your digital story so don't try to include everything. Focus on moments, crucial meeting, specific object, place Moments of realisation, "When did you know" Cheese sandwich – birth of your first child, one small mundane object, easier to write, intriguing

How can you tell the story "through" something?

An object A person A conversation A moment A surprise A disappointment A triumph

"IMG_4188" by Michael (Hello Turkey Toe): CC-BY http://flic.kr/p/5WgR7w

Leave things to the imagination

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Your audience will (and want to) fill the gaps you leave for themselves "We had such high hopes – but it didn't turn out that way" – don't have to explain, people start imagining things themselves, visuals working as part of the story Helps to keep the energy up – people have to actively use their imagination

"Tragedy" by Johnathan Nightingale CC-BY-SA http://flic.kr/p/cd3WpL

What actually happened?

Presenter

Presentation Notes

When you start writing… What were the events

Who did it happen to?

"rencontre improbable / improbable meeting" By Olivier Bacquet CC-BYhttp://flic.kr/p/5L3xpz

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Have people in your story, even if it's not you People will be able to understand, identify and emphasise with other people (vs. institutions)

"Cafe Life in Tigre - Near Buenos Aires – Argentina" by Adam Jones CC-BY-SA http://flic.kr/p/6KqjEP

Write as you speak

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Be natural If it sounds over-written, barrier to your audience

"Checkered flag - gotta have one" by Paul Baker CC-BY-SA http://flic.kr/p/8eo2eC

Nail the first and last sentences

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Opening – hook, intrigue Last sentence – resonate Don't have to be first & last sentences you write – you can write them last Reflect examples from morning

"Columbus Circle, Fourth of July 2009 – 02" by Ed Yourdon CC-BY-SA http://flic.kr/p/6BRxSn

Tell someone the story

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Best way to find out how people respond to your story Can be uncomfortable

How can you tell the story "through" something?

An object A person A conversation A moment A surprise A disappointment A triumph


© Netskills 2014

Remember

Beginning – middle – end? The "stakes" Journey or dragon? Small story -> big point First sentence – last sentence Write as you speak


© Netskills 2014

Other forms of digital storytelling • Hollow

http://hollowdocumentary.com/

• Snowfall http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall

• Nagasaki Archive http://e.nagasaki.mapping.jp/

• Highrise – One Millionth Tower http://highrise.nfb.ca/onemillionthtower

http://hollowdocumentary.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall

http://e.nagasaki.mapping.jp/

http://highrise.nfb.ca/onemillionthtower

engage 2014 going dragon hunting

Education