Basic Steps for Creating a Digital Story

  1. Finish writing your 250-350 word Script.  Watch more stories for inspiration! (See this Sample Stories page Links to an external site..)

 

  1. In refining your Script, take every sentence and ask yourself, “Is this contributing to the core of my story?” That’s a really good place to start refining your script.

 

  1. Get feedback on your Script. Send it to at least one other member of your DS Community.  Participate in a Storycircle Links to an external site. and get feedback that way. Continue to revise and refine your Script.

 

  1. Create a Voiceover recording of your Script.  The simplest way to do this is to record directly into WeVideo.  Using a microphone with your laptop or desktop will give you a cleaner recording. You can check out a Zoom (handheld) recorder or a USB microphone or simply a headset (with a microphone attached) from the Multimedia Hub located on the second floor in the Library.

 

For effective Voiceovers, here are some tips:

·    Remember your voice track is the anchor for the entire digital story.

  • You can use a free open source software that is easy to use on your laptop, like Audacity OR

  • Note that WeVideo also allows you to record directly into the application if you’d like.

  • Two approaches with the voice track—One approach is to have the goal of getting it all in one take—sense of performance and flow and continuity—like a musical performance that unfolds to make a rhythmic statement.

  • Another approach is to take advantage of the digital tools available to mix between takes and get every articulation clear and how you want it. This will take a comfort level on your part for fussing with digital editing.

  • Either can result in a good voice track—you have to find what approach suits you best. Regardless , the goal is to get a voice track that “works” for your story—that has a cadence and style that you feel embodies how the story is best told.

  • Most of us are not practiced in narrating aloud—it might take some work to get it right.

  • Make sure you are in a quiet space, with windows and doors shut to minimize background noise

  • Have someone to talk/tell/read your story to in the room if you feel that will make you more comfortable and make your Voiceover sound more natural.

  • Pace yourself - go slow, leave lots of pauses. You will be amazed how fast we normally talk, and this is usually too fast to hold your audience's attention in a Digital Story. Again, remember that you are creating a performance of the story, not just reading the Script aloud.

 

  1. Collect images for your story.  10-20 images are average, though some quite powerful stories only have a few images. Use images of your own, or please use Creative Commons searches Links to an external site. for images that don’t belong to you.

 

  1. Think about music.  If you want to add music to your story, use Jamendo to explore musical selections that are not copyright restricted. Students have also enjoyed using music that they or their friends have composed and played (if you are using something recorded by a musician friend, make sure you get their permission!)

  2. File Management: organize these items in a single folder on a jump drive, external hard drive, or in a folder directly on your laptop’s Desktop. In WeVideo, you can use the "Upload Media" button to collect everything inside the application (which is cloud-based, so you can work on your project anywhere with an internet connection).