Creating Compelling Stories
The Esthetics and Mechanics of Digital NarrativesDavid D. Thornburg, PhD
Norma Thornburg, MAAbstract:
Children spend years learning how to create and evaluate written documents, yet are given little or no experience crafting digital narratives using images, sounds, and animated movement. Yet these same children spend hours a day exposed to media outside the classroom - more hours than they spend reading or writing linear documents. Just as written documents can be used to explore almost any field of study, so too can digital media.
This presentation explores the esthetics and mechanics of digital narratives with the goal that participants will be able to create professional quality stories in the form of movies made from animated still images (using pan and zoom effects), recorded narration, and customized music tracks. The presentation summarizes a workshop divided into two major sections. The first part focuses on various esthetic components including:
Image aspect ratio (normal television vs widescreen)
The elements of image composition (rule of thirds, headroom, etc.)
The use of motion effects (pan, zoom, etc.)
Overall pacing of the production
Purpose and composition of background music
Structure and recording of the narrationThe second part explores the mechanics of the final production using inexpensive professional-quality tools. Topics for this section include:
Taking and/or locating relevant digital images on content servers
The importance of resolution
Recording a script
Assembling a rough cut
Adding titles and credits
Composing and adding background music
Selecting final output format
Making the final project (including burning a DVD and/or posting the project to a digital content server)
Presentation type... keynote Audience................ Educators, technology resource specialists & educational leaders Duration................. 1 hour Handouts................ Resource CD & workbook provided for each participant at nominal fee Dr. Thornburg will gladly tailor any presentation to your specific needs.
