Story+Telling+Guide

Digital Story Telling Guide
The following is a digital story telling guide that was given to students.


 * What Is Digital Story Telling?**

Storytelling is an ancient art form that people have used to explain concepts and tell stories. Digital storytelling combines a written narrative, voice, and technology to create a story.


 * Elements Of A Digital Story**

A digital story has strict elements. It is short! It is limited to three minutes or less in length, and uses only twelve to twenty pictures. A just right story is usually two minutes long with only a dozen pictures. In addition, they include a musical soundtrack and voice. Digital stories often include a moral.


 * The Digital Storytelling Process**

The process of Digital Storytelling has three stages: Preproduction, Production and Postproduction. Preproduction is the longest stage and most important.


 * Preproduction: Planning and organization**

During preproduction you plan your story by writing a script and creating a storyboard. It also includes any research that must be completed.

First, you write the script; then you make a storyboard. A storyboard is a layout for the text, images and audio. It is like an outline for your story. Begin by making notes and sketching the images that will be in the scene. Then, break the script into sections that will go with your planned images. Next, make note of the type of shots you will use; such as, a close up, over the shoulder or long shot. Finally, note the sound files that will accompany your text and images.

Now, create folders on your computer to save your images and audio files. Find or download images and audio; then save them in your folders.

Planning and organizing is the most important part of the Digital Storytelling process. It can be frustrating and the process will take longer if you can’t find a file you want to use in your story, or if you don’t know how you want to use your materials.


 * Production: Piecing your Digital Story together**

In the production part of the process the author creates his/her story. Next, move images into iMovie, Keynote, or other software and arrange them accordingly. The audio is recorded, music is added, an introduction slide is created, and a credit slide constructed.

Audio Tips: Remember Digital Stories are short. You can count on one minute of audio equaling about 100 written words. There are three key ways to record audio: By reading it-this is okay, but the digital story will usually lack emotion. By memorizing the text-boring; this lacks voice. Finally, by performing the audio. This is the way audio should be recorded in a digital story. The performing voice has planned phrasing and pausing. It creates emotion, pacing and voice in the Digital Story.

The production phase is the creation phase; as well as the most fun!


 * Postproduction: Editing and sharing your work**

Editing is completed in the postproduction stage. Editing includes timing, cutting or clipping images and audio, and adding transitions. Transitions should be limited to only one or two. If you use any more then that they become distracting. Since digital stories are short, the timing needs to be short between slides as well. Three seconds is just about right for timing between slides. The voice is the key element in the digital story. Any other audio; such as, sound effects or music should enhance the voice not over shadow it.

Note: The key to postproduction is knowing when to stop. One can continue to edit forever and never finish. When your story is polished, it is finished. By polished I mean the sound is smooth, the images are clear and the transitions enhance the story.


 * A Few Types of Digital Stories**

On the scene reporting: Students report on a topic from a reporters point of view. Ask questions about the topic. One person is the expert and the other is the learner.

Digital montage of vocations: Interview practitioners in a vocation and include them in your photo story. What is your profession? What experiences, interest, and or knowledge in school prepared you for this activity? Was their an initial event that most affected your decision to pursue this career? How has your profession affected your life as a whole? What has been the highlight of your vocation? Who influenced or assisted you in shaping your career, interest, or skills.

A day in the life of: Tell the story of how others spend their day or why they are important. It is important to show not just tell by using voice, figurative language and word choice.


 * Hooks**

Every story needs a hook that draws in the listener. If you don’t hook the listener within the first 30 seconds, he or she will turn off the story. Use the same type of hooks as you do in writing: Ask a question, make a bold and challenging statement, create emotion, or etc.


 * Site Your Source**

If you use any material that does not belong to you personally, you must site your sources; for example, downloaded pictures or music from the internet. On these items you must give your the author’s name or site the website URL.


 * Links**

The following is a list of weblinks for free music.

Free play music: [| http://freeplaymusic.com/]

Royalty Free: []