TWM | DIGITAL STORYTELLING MOVEMENT

What is the Community Digital Storytelling Movement?
Why Story?
What goes on in a typical Community Digital Storytelling Workshop?

The Community Digital Storytelling Workshop is a three-day workshop process which begins with TWM's teaching philosophy of starting all technical and narrative production from where participants are. Using popular education methodologies we support people with all kinds of computer experience and welcome both the industry professional to the aspiring community artist in all of our classes. Our teaching is facilitative: we talk our students through the steps they need to take to complete specific production tasks. At all times, they drive the mouse, which emphasizes the ownership of their voices and creative control over their stories.

In preparation for the workshops, participants will be asked beforehand to draft a one and one-half page narrative (approximately 500 words); select background music on CD-ROM; collect short video clips and digital images (both personal and from internet sites); and assemble flat images (photographs, letters, clippings, drawings, artwork, etc.) to scan - all for use in the construction of their stories during the actual workshops.

Day one of the workshops begins with a presentation and discussion about storytelling, featuring sample digital stories and an analysis of their strengths, emotional impact, pacing, and overall effect. Next, participants will share their scripts in the time-honored and sacred context of a story circle. In a story circle, participants are able to connect their own personal experiences with the collective experience of the group. This is especially powerful in culturally diverse groups, for building solidarity, coalition, and unity around a common agenda.

Next, the TWM Co-Teachers will facilitate a series of writing exercises and provide time for individual work on scripts. The exercises will be followed by an image editing software tutorial (i.e. Adobe PhotoShop), after which participants will be scheduled for and assisted with scanning and sizing images in Photoshop and recording voiceover narratives. After a lunch break, Storyboarding techniques will then be reviewed. Throughout the rest of the day, considerable time will be allowed for instructors and participants to share and respond to story ideas, offer support and validation, and address any emotional issues or concerns that emerge in the context of the discussion.

On the second day, participants will be guided through a video editing software tutorial (i.e. Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, I-movie, etc.) and will then move into story production. Students will then be preparing to construct their stories as they are assisted with storyboarding, scanning of source material, sizing and touching up of material in PhotoShop, capturing soundtrack audio, and recording a voiceover narrative. Once all of these elements have been collected, the participants will begin editing.

On the final day, participants will continue story production and editing and explore special effects for their work. By the end of the three-day workshop, participants will have completed second and final edits of their stories, with appropriate titles, sound levels, and transitions. Each workshop will conclude with ample time and opportunity for participants to share their accomplishments and dialogue about how the stories can be used in their communities and how best to distribute their community digital stories based on their organizing goals.

To see some sample community digital stories click here.