Topic outline

  • Description

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  • Key Elements, Learning Objectives & Outcomes

    • Key elements

      • Learn the methodology of Digital storytelling inspired by Joe Lambert and the StoryCenter of Berkeley (USA) redesigned by melting pro

      • Experience Digital storytelling as a critical methodology for empowering and engaging communities and creating spaces for sharing and dialogue. 

      • Promote Narrative accountability through the creation of digital stories.

       

    • Learning objectives

      • Know digital storytelling methodology inspired by the StoryCenter of Berkeley (USA). Briefly describe the background, history, features and steps of Digital Storytelling. 

      • Provide the main steps to accompany the creation of a digital story. 

      • Generate awareness of the value of digital stories as a tool for community engagement. 

      • Open reflections on the marriage of participatory digital storytelling methodology and narrative accountability processes

       

    • Learning outcomes

      • Get facilitation techniques for story creation to promote active participation and create spaces for sharing. 

      • Develop digital and soft skills related to story creation (video editing programs, creative and personal writing skills, active listening, communication, empathy, and critical thinking). 

      • Apply the story circle methodology in formal and non-formal education;

      • Create a safe environment for group discussions;

      • Create relevant materials for a digital story (storyboard, images, voice, music, sounds, texts, titles)

      • Recognise the free license material on the web;

      • The ability to present ideas and knowledge in an individual and meaningful way

       

  • Section 1 - Theoritical Part

    • Stories give us a voice

      Voice influences the way we think

      The way we think transforms the way we act

      People's stories are a powerful tool for engaging communities through a democratic approach that promotes active participation, empowerment, and the development of an advocacy process.

      Everyone can tell their own story, opinions, and views, actively participating in the process

       

      But why do we talk so much about storytelling and digital storytelling?

      As the neurologist Paul Zak showed, the brain has a neurochemical response to stimuli in a narrative developed according to the narrative arc outlined by Freygard.

      Stories help people increase empathy by stimulating the parts of the brain that help us intuit the emotions and thoughts of others.

      Stories are universal, speaking through archetypes of challenges common to all human beings. In others' stories, we recognise ourselves in significant challenges and find answers. They facilitate learning and create a sense of belonging, making us feel included and valued in our communities.

      Telling stories also means building bridges between people, facilitating community building and consolidation, and providing space for people's self-determination.

       

      What exactly is digital storytelling?

      Digital storytelling (or DST) is a participatory and collective process that guides everyone in finding and realising their own story.  

      This collaborative nature of DST fosters a sense of connection and engagement, making the process of rediscovery and re-signification more critical than the perfection of the final product.

      It combines the tradition of oral stories with digital tools, using a computer or just a smartphone.  

      It is based on creative tools and methodologies such as learning by doing and peer learning. 

      One of the key strengths of digital storytelling is its adaptability. 

      It's a flexible process that can be adjusted from time to time according to the context, the target, and the goal. This adaptability empowers you to tailor the storytelling experience to your needs and objectives. 

      It can be used with people of all ages and social backgrounds, such as students, educators, professionals, and migrants. 

      Entrepreneurs, policymakers, and partners can benefit from Digital storytelling methodology since it allows for listening to people, their points of view, and their needs and gathering essential qualitative elements that would be lost in reports and questionnaires.

      The methodology we share in this module originates at the StoryCenter of Berkley, funded by Joe Lambert and Danat Atchley, to support the creation of spaces for listening and sharing stories to help build a healthy world.

      In the background is the artistic and cultural ferment of San Francisco in the 1980s-90s. At the time, artists and educators wanted to move beyond the idea of an elitist culture and favour democratic processes and community engagement.  

      As Melting Pro, give you this methodology, revised from our decade of experience, which keeps intact the value of story and digital support. 

      The final product is a short video lasting 1-2 minutes, a personal narrative developed in the first person. This personal touch, translated into digital format through the editing of voice over, images, and background music track, will make you feel connected to the story.

       

    • BEFORE STARTING: GOLDEN RULES

      Before creating a story, it is essential to know some golden rules. 

      These are valuable recommendations that help to set our mindset in the right way and create with other participants a safe environment 

      • Emotions are welcomed

      • there are no right or wrong stories

      • do not judge yourself and judge

      • listen and do not interrupt

      • have fun

       

  • Section 2 - How To Create a Digital Story

    • This methodology is inspired by and reworked from the process defined by Joe Lambert in “Cookbook: Digital Storytelling Cookbook. Listen Deeply, Tell Stories.” 

      5 practical steps to guide you into the storytelling process

      What you need: 

      • Pen and sheets to write the script and do the storyboard

      • Camera or smartphone to take pictures or videos for the visual part of the digital story.

      • Smartphone or voice recorder to record the voice-over

      • Smartphone or computer for editing platforms (free and web-based): wevideo.com; canvas for computer; cupcut or similar video editing app for smartphone

      • Internet connection for editing the digital story

    • 5 STEPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN DIGITAL STORY

      1. FIND AND WRITE YOUR OWN STORY

      1.1 Catch your insight

      Think about your life (social activities, professional or personal life, volunteering)

      Think about something you care about and feel you have changed.

      That could mean learning something new about yourself or facing a challenge at some point in your life.

      If you ever felt completely immersed in an activity, you might have been experiencing a mental state that psychologists refer to as "flow":

      It is a moment when time seemed to fall away, your whole being was involved, and you were using your skills to the utmost. 

       

      Answer & take note_10’ Individual activity

      What does it mean to you right now?  Why this theme? What debate would you like to spark? Who’s for? How does this story show who you are? 

      Ex: “This story is about my first volunteering experience...but really it’s about

      going outside my confort zone... but it’s really about how that experience

      taught me that I am given chances to learn to trust my self and be aware how I can my the difference in social rights.”

       

      *Helper.

      Do you need help finding your flow moment?

      Think back to your life (social, professional, personal) and what you care about that you feel has changed or has changed you. Than....

      Find a symbolic object significant to the experience you want to tell and reflect on it. Does it relate to a specific episode? What emotions does it arouse in you? What does it mean to you now? 

      Starting with an object you are attached to can help you find the insight of the story to be told.

      Story Circle. Collective activity - 15’ to 45’ (depends on n. Of participants. 1 pax=8’)

      You can share your insights if you are in a group at this stage. The story circle is a very valuable time for building relationships, finding new insights, defining one's story, and receiving and giving feedback.

      Agree on the minutes each person should have to share their insight and receive suggestions upon request (generally 8 minutes each). Then, select a timekeeper.To make suggestions, we recommend this formula: "if it were my story I...."

      Story circle can also be a particularly emotional time for participants, so we recommend that you share the golden rules: 

       

      1.2 Bring your Emotions

      The emotional content of stories is crucial to fuel empathy and make a story come through

      Get in touch with your emotions and decide the tone of your story. What emotion do you want to evoke with your story? Surprise?  Laughter? Reflection? Change?

      Helper. Reread your insight and close your eyes. Now, associate a colour to your insight and explain why. What is the primary emotion you would like to communicate?

      1.3 Turn into the script

      Develop your insight into a script of 100 words maximum

      Find the moment of change that best represents the insight that you wish to convey
      The moment of change might be the most memorable or dramatic moment. In the traditional narrative, it is called “pass the dragon moment”, and Joseph Campbell explains it well in the “Journey’s hero”. It is a moment of transformation, or inner growth, due to an event or a choice. 

      *Answer these questions and take note_20’ individual activity

      Think about the episode related to a moment of change. 

      What do you see? What do you hear? What’s being said? What are your thoughts? What are your feelings? What is the context behind your feelings? Have you been in these surroundings, or had these thoughts or feelings before or since? When? Is that part of this story?

      Before writing your script, read these tips: 

      • Write the story in the first person

      • Uses colloquial language, as if you were talking to your friend

      • Try to capture attention from the beginning and get straight to the point. 

      Ex. 

      One afternoon, I went to the Pine Forest near my house and sat on a bench near some pine trees that shaded me.

      VS

      I was sitting on a bench, and only the sound of cicadas was around me. The shade of the pine trees .... me. Suddenly... 

      • Think about what kind of effect you want to have on your audience. Curiosity? Wonder? Emotion?

      • Remember to include the “dragon,” i.e., the turning point/change/transformation moment.

      • Lead the listener to visualize your emotions 

      Ex: 

      I was nervous. My hands were shaking

      • Less is more! Focus on the essentials. For your first version of the script, write the length you want. You will have to do some trimming work afterwards, reducing the script to the essentials: about 100 words.

       

      Helper. How to develop your script

      The three-act theory states that every story should consist of three main acts. Specifically, each story must have a beginning, an unfolding, and an end. 

       

      • Beginning. 

      Where I was, who I was with, what I was thinking, what I was feeling....

      • Development. What challenge or change did I experience. 

      Was I alone/with other people? What changed my perception? What challenged me?

      • End. 

      Overcoming the challenge/change. How did it resolve, how did I change, what did it leave me with

       

    • 2. FIND THE BEST VISUAL SUITE

      A picture is worth a thousand words! (Grace Robertson)

       

      Images can convey emotions, moods, narratives, ideas, and messages, all important elements in storytelling. They arrive more directly, are easier to process than words, and overcome language barriers; they are universal to everyone without language information, regardless of background. Image amplifies and reinforces your story.It communicates part of the content. 

      Ask yourself and take note_Individual activity

      What images might best convey the emotions and feelings of your story?

      “What images come to mind when recalling the moment of change in the story?

      “Do you already have these images or will you need to find or create them? How could you use   the images that you already have to convey your meaning?”



      Collect from 1 to 10 images. The final number of images you put in your digital story is up to you

      Where can I find my images?

      You can use photographs, drawings, videos.

      Pictures can be taken by you, by others (friends, artists, etc.), or downloaded from a website. 

      Remember: your photos are much more potent than those found online.

      If you want to try your hand at taking photos specifically for your story, know that angle plays a significant role in conveying meaning and emotion

      Angles and views may be unusual.

      Photos may be taken in the plan, others by pointing the lens decidedly upward, still, others focused from very close, or underwater, or from a position much higher or lower than where our eye usually stands

      Tips:

      • images and text should be complementary. 

      • there is no need to say in the text what the images already say

      • Images can also be evocative and symbolic. Do not use didactic images 

      • once you have identified the images, read again the text. There may be redundant parts that you can cut out

      ex. image of the house : in the text I may not describe the house and say directly “in this house...”

       

      Features: Horizontal format, High resolution, Minimum size of 1024x768 pixels

      Helper* Storyboard

      It is a tool that helps combine text and images

      Divide your script into paragraphs 

      in the left column enter the paragaphs, in the right column the image that enhances and complements the emotion and meaning of those words.

      Remember: text and images must complement each other. Do not repeat.

      Download Storyboard (On the NACCS platform, the link must allow the document to be downloaded directly without referring to the drive folder)

       

      Note on copyright

      Personal images belong to you.

      When you consider using others’ music and images, please be careful to use a free copyright license. 

      here you can find free copyright images:

       

    • 3. GIVE THE RIGHT RHYTHM

      Record your voice 

      Become the storyteller of your story, your voice will make it unique. 

      Have fun performing your story as if you were an actor. 

      Remember! it's the voice that drives your story, give the right pace, correct pitch, and speak naturally

       

      How to record: 

      • You can record with a smartphone or recorder. 

      • Place the microphone/cell phone correctly, about 30 cm from your mouth (preferably on a stand)

      • Don't speak quickly. Give your voice the right rhythm

      • Also try to express emotions through your voice 

      • Tone of voice: WHAT emotion do you want to elicit?

      Common mistakes:

      • The microphone is too close/far away

      • Words are not paced well

      • Mono-tone

      Soundtrack: 

      If images and your narrative voice are powerful devices for conveying the meaning of your story, imagine what can happen if you also add a soundtrack. 

      Tips

      uses soundtrack without speech so as not to overlap the voice of the song with your own 

      mark a soundtrack that matches the emotional tone of your story 

       

      Note on copyright

      Your music belong to you. If you are a musician or dabble in it, you can use one of your own compositions. 

      When you consider using others’ music, please be careful to use free copyright license. free copyright images

      free copyright music website: https://www.jamendo.com/start 

       

    • 4. EDITING YOUR VIDEO 

       

      When we begin editing, we choose the details we feel are most necessary to include to build meaning.

      It is a matter of bringing together the oral and visual narratives to best tell the story. 

       

      For instance, when we hear a phone ring and the storyteller says, “I held my breath as I got the news…” and we see a photo of a loved one fade to black, we, as storytellers, have the power to guide the audience's emotions towards a sense of loss.

       

      As Joe Lambert says, after your story edits are assembled, a story’s rhythm conveys an added layer of meaning. 

      A fast pace with quick edits and upbeat music can convey urgency. A slow pace with gradual transitions and extended shots may convey calmness. 

      Stories can move along at an even pace, stop to take a deep breath, and then proceed. 

      Creating space for silence, for example, allows the audience time for all story layers to be absorbed. 

       

      Even if your story is paced too slowly, remember that your audience's interpretation is valuable. They often appreciate more time than you think to allow their minds to explore the thoughts and emotions that are being stirred within them. 

       

      The assemblage of your story takes time, and isn’t easy, but their contribution is significant.

      Before starting, organize all multimedia materials (pictures, voice-overs, soundtracks) in a single folder on your computer to work best. 



      some free and web based video editing platform: 

      https://www.wevideo.com/ 

      https://www.canva.com/it_it/

      https://www.capcut.com/it-it/tools/video-editing-app 


      WEVIDEO TUTORIAL: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1URMspyEwsREln8BsvP3dt5y7uCJLX3nc/edit

       

      When we begin editing, we choose the details we feel are most necessary to include to build meaning.

      It is a matter of bringing together the oral and visual narratives to best tell the story. 

       

      For instance, when we hear a phone ring and the storyteller says, “I held my breath as I got the news…” and we see a photo of a loved one fade to black, we, as storytellers, have the power to guide the audience's emotions towards a sense of loss.

       

      After your story edits are assembled, a story’s rhythm conveys an added layer of meaning. 

      A fast pace with quick edits and upbeat music can convey urgency. A slow pace with gradual transitions and extended shots may convey calmness. 

      Stories can move along at an even pace, stop to take a deep breath, and then proceed. 

      Creating space for silence, for example, allows the audience time for all story layers to be absorbed. 

       

      Even if your story is paced too slowly, remember that your audience's interpretation is valuable. They often appreciate more time than you think to allow their minds to explore the thoughts and emotions that are being stirred within them. 

       

      The assemblage of your story takes time, and isn’t easy, but their contribution is significant.

      Before starting, organize all multimedia materials (pictures, voice-overs, soundtracks) in a single folder on your computer to work best. 

      some free and web based video editing platform: 

      https://www.wevideo.com/ 

      https://www.canva.com/it_it/

      https://www.capcut.com/it-it/tools/video-editing-app 

      Here you can download a practical wevideo tutorial
      Download       Wevideo tutorial ( (On the NACCS platform, the link must allow the document to be downloaded directly without referring to the drive folder)

    • 5. SHARING YOUR DIGITAL STORY

      The final moment of sharing stories among the participants is one of the most meaningful and rich

      Remember to allow each person their own time to share. The author can decide whether or not to precede the viewing of the story with an introductory commentary. 

      Appreciations are always welcome

      You can plan to create a communication plan for its wider dissemination

       

  • Section 3 - Interactive Activities - Facilitation Tools

  • Bibliography

  • Quiz