Sheffield_Todd_Reading_Reflections_2

Reading Reflection 2: Digital Storytelling

 Digital Storytelling explained

    For this blogpost, I will reflect based off of the assigned reading for this week's module, which pertains to digital storytelling.  In a video by the University of Guelph McLaughlin Library defines digital storytelling as using multimedia tools to bring narratives to life (2019). In other words, digital storytelling involves using modern digital technology to enhance and improve the storytelling experience. Typically, digital storytelling combines video clips, images, and audio to tell a story (U of G Library, 2019). For example, I see the YouTube format of videos as an avenue for digital storytelling. I mention this because during my annotated bibliography assignment, I have actually used and cited to YouTube videos that tell stories, like the tall tale of John Henry. As a best practice for digital storytelling, the U of G Library encourages storytellers to write a script and storyboard before gathering images, audio, or video clips (2019). This video summarizes what digital storytelling is excellently for our introductory purposes.

Structure of Digital Storytelling

The four phases of storytelling as provided by ResearchGate.

    Given the previous video's suggestions on how storytellers should plan for digital storytelling, I found this illustrative guide on the detailed phases of storytelling as part of this week's module. This guide provides four stages: pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. Although I believe storytellers should not sacrifice creativity lest their product be bland and unentertaining for schoolchildren, I do appreciate this guide as a set of guidelines. Using this sort of guide for the phases of digital storytelling can help anchor a storyteller when necessary, and also show what should most likely be included as part of the digital story. Another of our readings, an article by Kristen Rebmann, provides a seven-step guide on how to plan digital storytelling. This provided guide includes in order: writing the initial script, planning an accompanying storyboard, discussing and revising the script, sequencing the images in the video editor, adding the narrative track, adding special effects and transitions, and then adding a music soundtrack if possible (Rebmann, 2012). Whether you use one of these guides or another, it is important to understand that digital storytelling has a unique structure that traditional storytelling does not. It is therefore important to plan accordingly.

Stories from a single image?

The image used for digital storytelling by an article from our module.

    During our module, I found this article in our readings by Bernard Robin. The author decided to tell a story via digital storytelling, with the challenge of using only one image (seen above). The story at hand is a story about Robin's Market and Grocery, a small store ran by the author's family (Robin, 2014). Apart from conducting research about certain items in the picture, Robin focused on this photograph for his script (2014). After finishing his writing, Robin recorded himself reciting the script via Audacity, a sound recording program which he provides a link to (2014). He then compiled the audio and image together in a program called WeVideo, which he also linked to, and then found copyright free music to help give the storytelling some atmosphere (Robin, 2014). Mr. Robin provided the finished product within the article, and it can be found here.  In my personal opinion, Robin did well with the story, and I found myself captivated the entire time.

    The fact that a full story experience can be made from one image is absolutely fascinating to me. Given it relates to Robin's family, I can understand the passion behind this project. Robin wanted to learn more about his family, particularly his father and grandfather. Thanks to his research, Robin is able to more fully convey what the market was like in his story. I was especially entertained by the discussion of cereals sold, honestly. However, as a history lover, I am thrilled by this example of digital storytelling because it shows the power that storytelling has for helping us learn our pasts. Even though Mr. Robin cannot answer all of his questions, this exercise in digital storytelling brought him much closer to unlocking the mysteries of his father and grandfather's history. Given my own affinity for history, as well as my own desire to learn more about my family history, this example makes me curious if I could pursue a project like this similarly some time.

Independent research of examples

An illustration made for a digital storytelling version of George Orwell's 1984.

    After reading through the module, I decided to find an example of digital storytelling not covered in class to help fully understand digital storytelling with material I personally enjoy. During this search, I found a project to make print publication into a digital experience. The book in question was George Orwell's 1984, and the storyteller first began his project by conducting research (Barbosa, 2019). The first hurdle was format: whether it should be a website or an app, and chose to use a website format (Barbosa, 2019). The storyteller also went above and beyond by designing his own logos to use on the website (Barbosa, 2019). I can safely say that this project was planned well and the storyteller put his passion into the project. The best part, in my opinion, is the inclusion of Big Brother's eye following you as you scroll through the website as a core part of visual design (Barbosa, 2019). This research paid off well, as it helped me visualize digital storytelling with a story I enjoy and therefore I can learn from while entertained. Barbosa did an amazing job with this digital storytelling, and the eye following me while I scrolled was a chilling, nice touch.

Conclusion

Digital storytelling allows for a storyteller to enhance their story in ways previously undoable before modern technology. Although it requires more work than traditional storytelling, the art of digital storytelling is well worth the effort. It requires diligent planning, scripting, and even more research, but if done right, the end product will make for an excellent story. I was most pleasantly surprised with how uniquely fun digital storytelling can be. I felt inspired by the Robin's Market story, and the addition of the image during the narration definitely added to the experience. The guides I found for digital storytelling preparation were also an excellent addition, and will help me when I complete a digital storytelling project in December. Even previously print-focused media can be enhanced and given new life with digital storytelling. All around, digital storytelling is an excellent practice that makes preparing the story just as enjoyable as listening to it.

REFERENCES

Barbosa, J. (2019, December 20). Nineteen Eighty-four - turning George Orwell’s book into a Digital experience. Medium. https://medium.com/@jdcabarbosa/nineteen-eighty-four-turning-george-orwells-book-into-a-digital-experience-eb550929aa25 

Rebmann, K. (2012). Theory, practice, tools: catching up with digital storytelling. Teacher Librarian, 39(3), 30–34.

ResearchGate. (n.d.). Phases of storytelling. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Phases-of-storytelling_fig1_337850757 

Robin, B. (2014). Single-Image Digital Stories. Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling. https://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/example_stories.cfm?categoryid=22# 

U of G Library. (2019, November 29). What is digital storytelling? YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIix-yVzheM 

Ghost stories read for class

Ghost Stories (P.S. Happy Halloween):

1. Shrimp Factory by Ghost and Gravestones Savannah

2. Marshall House by Ghost and Gravestones Savannah

3. The Sorrel-Weed House: Haunted By Bad History? found on Cobblestone Tours blog

4. Bellweather House found on Historic Hotels of America

5. The Alabama Metal Man by Bedtime Stories

6. A Savannah Ghost Story: The Ghost of Alice Riley found on Nightly Spirits

7. Legend of the Three Brothers: Savannah Ghost Story found on the Moonlit Road