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Robert McKee - Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today

Orson Welles - If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story

Piet Sonck - It is in the Cannes

Transmedia Storytelling

• Een verhaal/anekdote als basis van een nieuw verhaal maken

  • → transmediaal: een meme/liedje van maken “Eating the pets”

• → het publiek doet er iets nieuws mee

Evolution of Storytelling

• Visual stories

  • wandschilderij → filling peoples needs

• Spoken words

  • Grieken → muziek erbij

• Written words

  • 5th Century

• Wide audience

  • Shakespeare → theater

    • → head and heart

• Shared events

  • Industrieel tijdperk → movies & radio

• Brand storytelling

  • Televisie

• Web video

  • → Mensen reageren emotioneel op video

Storytelling

• Creative

• Brand

• Content

• Marketing

• Communication

• Viral

• Emotion

• Share

The art of storytelling

The art of storytelling is a fundamental aspect of human communication and has been an integral part of our cultural heritage for centuries. It is a way for individuals to share experiences, emotions and ideas through narrative form. Whether it is through oral tradition, written literature, theater, film, or any other medium, storytelling has the power top captivate, inspire, and provoke thought.

Here are some key elements and techniques that contribute tot the art of storytelling:

1. Structure

   • A well-crafted story typically follows a structure that includes an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This structure helps to build tension, engage the audience, and provide a satisfying narrative arc.

2. Characters

   • Characters are the heart of any story. They should be relatable, well-developed, and possess distinct personalities, motivations, and conflicts. Strong characters evoke empathy and enable the audience to connect with the story on an emotional level.

3. Conflict

   • Conflict is essential to create tension and drive the story forward. It can be external (such as a physical obstacle or antagonist) or internal (such as a character’s inner struggles or moral dilemmas). Conflict introduces obstacles and challenges that the characters must overcome, leaidng to personal growth

4. Theme

   • Stories often explore deeper themes or messages that resonate with the audience. Themes can encompass universal concepts like love, friendship, justice, or personal growth. They provide depth and meaning to the narrative, allowing readers or viewers to reflect on their own lives and experiences

5. Pacing

   • Pacing refers to the rhythm and tempo of the story. It involves managing the speed at which events unfold, balancing moments of action, tension, and reflection. Effective pacing keeps the audience engaged and ensures a smooth flow of the narrative

6. Imagery and Description

   • Vivid descriptions and sensory details help create a visual and immersive experience for the audience. By painting a picture with words, storytellers can transport their listeners or readers to different times, places, and emotions, making the story come alive in their minds

7. Dialogue

   • Dialogue plays a crucial role in storytelling by revealing character traits, advancing te plot, and conveying emotions. Well-written dialogue should be authentic, engaging, and move the story forward.

8. Point of View

   • The choice of a narrative perspective, whether it’s first person, thirdperson, limited, or omniscient, influences how the story is perceived. Each point of view offers a unique vantage point and affects the reader’s connection with the characters and events

9. Suspense and Surprise

   • Building suspense and incorporating unexpected twists and turns keeps the audience engaged and eager to know what happens next. Strategic placementof surprises can create memorable moments and leave a lasting impact.

10. Emotional Resonance

    • A powerful story elicits emotional responses from the audience. Whether it’s joy, sorrow, fear, or hope, the ability to evoke genuine emotions helps forge a deep connection between the storyteller and the audience

11. Authenticity

    • Authenticity is key to a compelling story. It involves crafting genuine characters, sincere emotions, and relatable situations. The audience can sense when a story feels contrived or lacks truth, so maintaining athenticity is crucial for effective stroytelling

The art of stroytelling is vast and diverse, encompassing various techniques and styles. Each storyteller brings their unique voice, creativity, and perspective, making storytelling a rich and endlessly fascinating art form.

Verschillende vormen van storytelling

Prosa

• Books, short stories, flash fiction

• Focus on language and narration

• Enables internal exploration

• Able to be stopped and started

• Highly flexible structure

Film+TV

• Films, television series, short films

• Uses images and sound

• Forces writers to understand pacing

• Helps convey information efficiently

• Highlights core story elements

Theater

• Full-length plays, one-act

• Live perfomance

• Direct interaction with audience

• Flexible storytelling

• Human-to-human connection

Video games

• Computer games, console games

• Ability to seek out more story

• Interactive environment

• Introduces endless possibility

• Choose-your-own-adventure

Script process

The writing process

How to develop a Story: an example

Prewriting → writing → revise → rewrite → proofread → publish

Prewriting

Begin with a thought web or word list and brainstorm ideas; decide on a purpose, audience, format and tone

Writing

Write out the details with concern for the ideas; you will make improvements later

Revise

Revise your first draft with a partner, paying attention to vocabulary, content and organization; the details that you need to change, move, add or remove

Rewrite

Rewrite your draft including the changes identified in the revision stage

Proofread

Proofread your second draft, correct conventions: spelling, grammar, punctuation and mechanical errors

Publish

Share/publish the completed story

• The story begins

→

• Chapter one

  • Introduce key characters: What are their wants/goals?

→

• Chapter two to four

  • Develop opening scenario -What’s at stake?

→

• Chapter five to six

  • Make characters grow - What do they learn/dicover?

→

• Chapter seven to eight

  • Ensure ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘where’ and ‘when’ develop

→

• Chapter nine to ending

  • Build to a satisfying story climax and resolution

Many storytelling theories

Basic storytelling elements

The four elements of a story

• World

• Character

• Language

• Plot

Find your theme

Plot + character = theme

Storytelling map

Story structure

The five major story elements

The storyality syntagm

The 3 act structure

Act 1 - Introduction

Act 2 - Rising action

Act 3 - Crisis

Start

Inciting incident

Midpoint

Climax

Inciting incident

Plot Point 1

Pinch 1

Midpoint

Pinch 2

Plot Point 2

Climax

Six stage plot structure

• Act 1

  • setup

  • new situation

• Act 2

  • progress

  • complications

• Act 3

  • final push

  • aftermath

6 rules of great storytelling of Pixar

1. Great stories are universal

2. Great stories have a clear structure & purpose

3. Great stories have a character to root for

4. Great stories appeal to our deepest emotions

5. Great stories are surprising & unexpected

6. Great stories are simple & focused

23 rules of storytelling from Pixar

1. Admireer het verhaal, niet de formule

   Je bewondert een karakter meer door te zien hoe ze worstelen dan hoe ze succesvol zijn.

2. Het doel van een verhaal is om te ontdekken

   Een verhaal moet altijd gaan over iets dat je wilt begrijpen en een vraag die je probeert te beantwoorden.

3. Bouw rondom wat je interessant vindt

   Niet wat je denkt dat het publiek leuk zal vinden. Het zijn je interesses die het verhaal authentiek maken.

4. Simplificeer en focus

   Knip weg wat je niet nodig hebt. Je zou een verhaal moeten kunnen vertellen in de kortst mogelijke vorm zonder de kern ervan te verliezen.

5. Karakters moeten actief zijn

   Je karakters moeten zelf de regie nemen over hun leven, niet passief door gebeurtenissen geleid worden.

6. Wat is jouw personage goed in? Waar falen ze in?

   Focus op hun kracht en zwakte, dat maakt ze interessant.

7. Kijk naar je verhaal vanuit verschillende perspectieven

   Vraag jezelf af hoe het verhaal anders zou zijn als je het vertelt vanuit een ander standpunt.

8. Je moet weten hoe het verhaal eindigt voordat je begint

   Je moet het einde kennen om te weten hoe je het verhaal effectief kunt opbouwen.

9. Focus op thema, niet de plot

   Wat is het thema van het verhaal? Dit bepaalt waar het over gaat, meer dan de plot zelf.

10. Maak het geloofwaardig, zelfs in fantasie

    Zelfs in fictie of fantasie moet je verhaal logisch en consequent zijn binnen de wereld die je creëert.

11. Trek aan de emotionele kern

    Zoek naar de reden waarom dit verhaal belangrijk is en waarom het impact heeft op de emoties van het publiek.

12. Probeer falen niet te vermijden

    Laat je personages falen. Dit maakt ze menselijker en geeft hen ruimte om te groeien.

13. Hou van het proces, niet alleen het eindproduct

    Geniet van de reis van het maken van het verhaal, want daar ligt de echte creativiteit.

14. Waarom moet het publiek om je personages geven?

    Wat maakt dat mensen met ze meevoelen of zich met ze kunnen identificeren?

15. Ontwikkel een duidelijke motivatie voor je personages

    Wat willen ze en waarom? Dit moet helder zijn voor zowel de schrijver als het publiek.

16. Gebruik "en toen" niet om je verhaal te vertellen

    "En toen gebeurde dit" maakt je verhaal zwakker. Gebruik oorzaak en gevolg: "Daarom gebeurde dit."

17. Geef je personages keuzes

    Laat je personages beslissingen nemen. Dit drijft het verhaal en maakt het spannender.

18. Elke scène moet essentieel zijn

    Als een scène of moment niets bijdraagt aan het verhaal of karakterontwikkeling, knip het eruit.

19. Test verschillende verhaallijnen

    Je eerste idee is misschien niet het beste. Blijf itereren, veranderen en aanpassen.

20. Doe onderzoek naar mensen en echte situaties

    Echte ervaringen en mensen zijn een oneindige bron van inspiratie voor het creëren van geloofwaardige karakters en verhalen.

21. Simplificeer complexe emoties

    In plaats van ingewikkelde emotionele toestanden te presenteren, zoek naar eenvoudige maar krachtige emoties.

22. Vertrouw op je eerste intuïtie

    Vaak is je eerste instinct goed, zelfs als je het later probeert te veranderen.

23. Laat de controle los en laat het verhaal groeien

    Je kunt niet alles beheersen. Sta het verhaal toe om te evolueren terwijl je het schrijft

Don’t sell your story, just tell your story ~ J.J. Abrams

The power of visual storytelling

Introduction

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but in reality, it often speaks even louder. Images have a remarkable ability to convey emotions, capture attention, and leave a lasting impression. In a world bombarded with information, where attention spans are dwindling, the power of visual storytelling has emerged as a driving force in communication. In this article, we explore why an image holds a potency that surpasses words, and how visual content has become a dominant and influential medium in our society

Instant Emotional Connection

An image has the uncanny ability to evoke emotions instantaneously. A single photograph can capture a range of feelings, from joy and awe to sadness and empathy, with remarkable efficiency. The visual cues, colors, composition, and expressions depicted in an image can resonate deeply with viewers, bypassing the need for lengthy explanations or descriptions. Emotionally charged images have the power to stir our souls and create connections that transcend language barriers

Memorable and Impactful

When information is presented in a visual format, it tends to be more memorable and impactful. Research shows that people remember only 10% of the information they hear after three days, but when an image is added, the retention rate jumps to 65%. The combination of visuals and words enhances comprehension, making complex concepts easier to understand and recall. In a cluttered digital landscape, where attention is fleeting, compelling images have a better chance of capturing and retaining audience attention.

Universal Language

Images possess a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries. While words can be limited by regional dialects, translations, or nuances, an image can convey its message to anyone, regardless of their native language. Visual content has the power to bridge gaps, fostering understanding and creating connections among diverse communities. This makes images a valuable tool for global communication, enabling brands and individuals to reach a wider audience and leave a lasting impact

Stimulating the Power of Imagination

An image has the ability to ignite the power of imagination in ways that words alone cannot. When we look at an image, our minds automatically start to create narratives, fill in the gaps, and ecplore the possibilities hidden within the frame. This engagement of the imagination creates a sense of involvement and personalization, allowing viewers to form their interpretations and emotional connections with the image. This active participation strengthens the impact of visual storytelling, making it a powerful and memorable experience.

Breaking Information Overload

In an era of information overload, where we are bombarded with vast amounts of content on a daily basis, visuals offer a reprieve. Images can convey complex ideas or messages succinctly, cutting through the noise and capturing attention in an instant. In a world where time and attention are limited resources, visuals allow us to absorb information efficiently and make an impact in a shorter timeframe.

Conclusion

In a society that is increasingly driven by visuals, the power of visual storytelling cannot be overstated. Images possess an emotional resonance, memorable impact , universal language, imaginative stimulation, and the ability to break through information overload. As individuals, brands, and organizations seek to communicate effectively and leave a lasting impression, understanding and harnessing the power of visual content becomes paramount. So, let us embrace the captivating strength of images, as they continue to shape and transform the way we perceive and communicate in a visually driven world.

Story telling Do’s and Don’ts

Andrew Stanton… 7 clues to a great story

• Storytelling = Joke telling

• Stories make you connect/care, through the promise of storytelling

• Unifying theory of 2+2

• Change is fundamental for your story

• Storytelling has guidelines, not rules

• Stories should invoke/infuse wonder

• use the stories (& what) you know)

Jack Gantos… 7 elements to a great story

• Act 1

1. Characters

2. Setting (place where the story happens)

3. Problem/situation

• Act 2

1. Action/plot

2. Crisis

• Act 3

1. Resolution/solve the problem

2. Physical and emotional end

The most powerful person in the world is the story teller. The stroyteller sets the vision, values and agenda of an entire generation that is to come. ~Steve Jobs

No! Try not! Do or Do not, there is no try. ~Yoda