Digital Storytelling

Defining Digital Storytelling - sharing stories through words, pictures, video and audio

http://www.arnieabrams.net/handouts.htm

Still pictures work well for a time saving alternative

Students read out loud their own script - great reading learning tool
Have students write the script and have it graded before the digital story is started
Learning to create and interpret visual messages is very important
Interactive - stop the story and guess what happens next, alternative endings with option buttons, have students present their story to enhance presentation skills, global audience - post them

Premier night - have popcorn and invite parents. make a classroom dvd

Steps
1. Start w/ a good story
2. Write an outline/ script
3. Storyboard
4. Brainstorm visual ideas, music (circle keywords and think of ways to illustrate)
5. Find visuals, shoot

Story Web - write down random thoughts/memories about the topic on blank piece of paper
Circle the main ideas
Create a flow chart from the ideas

Then sequence page - fold blank piece of paper, choose thoughts and put them in order

Storyboarding - index cards work well
Shot #, picture, words the order can be laid out and adjusted
Then sort these by location, graphics need, maps, etc.

6. Edit visuals
7. Add titles, graphics
8. Record narration
9. match visuals to audio, add music
10 produce, revise, present, distribute

Read very slowly! or shots will pass to quickly. Pause where scenes are going to change (easier to edit)

Ways to build
stills in folder
powerpoint - can bring in up to 35 pics at a time
slide show program
video editing program
animation & flash
dvd authoring
codecs

Software options
iPhoto
iMovie
Microsoft Photostory (free download) - only stills

Look for this in software
easy but flexible
slide show or video editing software
multiple audio tracks (original video sound, voice, music, sound effects) - at least 3, 4 is better
output options

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