Digital Storytelling Unconference 2012 at The Network Hub New Westminster July 7th (and a contest!)
I remember laughing uncontrollably when I saw a segment of the TEDxHouston talk of my friend Dr. Brene Brown on vulnerability where she says that she is a researcher and a storyteller. I laughed because I identify with that statement SO MUCH. I am an academic researcher AND a storyteller (I have blogged about storytelling both here on my personal blog and on my research blog). Storytelling is an extremely powerful tool to build robust communities, and in particular, online communities.
When I lost my iPhone, I was coincidentally at River Market, where The Network Hub Campus New Westminster is located, and I was telling Minna (my good friend and one of the cofounders of TNH) that I felt completely helpless. Without a smartphone, I don’t think I am equally able to be a digital, multimedia, interactive storyteller. I like telling stories that include video, sound, images, and that are in-real-time. I have suggested that using this approach can in fact enable and grow solid online communities.
So, I was delighted when I found that Tylor Sherman and Todd Sieling (Denim and Steel) decided to organize a Digital Storytelling Unconference with the help and space sponsorship of my beloved The Network Hub. The unconference will take place at the New Westminster campus of The Network Hub, a most lovely setting and definitely the right place for this type of unconference.
Digital tools have opened up an entire world of potential for storytelling, but we’re still in the very early days of this new cultural moment.
So, you may wonder who should be coming to this unconference:
Technologists, publishers, branders, historians, and anyone else who recognizes the importance of storytelling and realizes the potential of digital tools to do so in new and innovative ways.
Join for what sounds like it will be an amazing one-day experience in one of the Lower Mainland’s most beautiful and accessible spots. I particularly loved how Tylor and Todd promote the event, because it is true:
We don’t know what you’ll learn, but we know you’ll leave with a good story to tell.
More information about the rationale behind this unconference:
The basic elements of storytelling are timeless, but every new shift in technology changes the way we create, convey and keep our stories. Digital tools have opened up an entire world of potential for storytelling, but we’re still in the very early days of this new cultural moment.
We’re pulling together others who want to explore this new land in the first Storytelling Unconference specifically focussed on digital in the Vancouver area. For a full summer’s day at the Network Hub, located in New Westminster’s historic River Market, attendees will share ideas and experiments in using digital tools to tell both new and old stories.
I should also note that your ticket gets you one of four lunches provided by local vendors:
FATHOM SEAFOOD – Fish n’ chips: One piece cod and chips + soda
RE-UP BBQ – Pork plate: Pulled pork meat and black bean chili + soda
TRE GALLI GELATO CAFFE – Vegetarian Panini: Marinated egg-plant, artichoke hearts, roasted red pepper, provolone cheese & pesto + soda
CREPE DES AMIS – Bordeaux Crepe: Fresh whole wheat vegan crepe with spinach, mushrooms, and vegan cheese + bottled water
If you would like to contribute in the organization, please join the Digital Storytelling Unconference 2012 Wiki Space and add your name to the organizing team. And if you would like to attend, you can purchase your tickets ($25 per person) on EventBrite.
Hummingbird604.com has an exclusive contest for 2 tickets to the Digital Storytelling Unconference 2012 on July 7th and you can enter to win them simply by commenting on this blog post telling me what kind of thing you would like to learn at the DSU. Personally, I wish I could learn how to tell better stories with video, because that’s the one tool I really don’t use a lot. I am very good with multiple platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and my own blog, but I am lacking on the video side of things. How about you? What would you like to share or learn at the DSU? If we talk about sharing, I would totally share a refined version of the talks I gave at the International Association for Business Communicators British Columbia Chapter a few months ago and at Social Media Camp Victoria 2012 on digital storytelling with multiple social platforms.
Earn an additional entry for a total of 2 by sharing the following on Twitter:
Told @hummingbird604 and @denimandsteel what I’d like to discuss @dsuvancouver http://is.gd/jN8gBA 2enter 2win tix 2 DSU @thenetworkhub
I will draw a winner of all entries on July 4th at 2pm. Good luck everyone!
Thanks for the post, Raul. That storytelling is a method in so many kinds of work, from academic to entertainment to making sense of our own lives, shows how deeply it runs through us as people. It’s what got us interested in pulling together a lot of different people to see it through their eyes and to think and experiment with how digital tools change that tradition, for better and in some cases for worse.
I use video to tell stories a lot, for work – but I want to explore ways to make that more interactive – in a more dynamic way than video+comments. Intrigued especially by the format of reports like this (http://datajournalism.stanford.edu/) where the potential of the web to add information for the long tail of those interested is actually used.
I’ve always preferred written storytelling, so I’d like to learn more about using voice and oral techniques to enhance your story. Thanks for this giveaway, Raul, it’s a unique one!
I’d like to learn more about video editing and how to use music to enhance the video.
I would love to learn how to tell stories using video and makes sure they are short, snappy and engaging.
I would like to learn some tips about videos. I like making youtube videos of real estate listings and parties.
I would like to discuss how to handle personal self-disclosure (and how to manage the privacy of others) in respect to digital storytelling.
I would like to learn all the options for online story telling and what format is best to present what idea.
Of course I’d also like to learn as much about multimedia as possible as I love being able to tell a story visually as well as verbally.
Sounds like a great event!
I’m just like you-I’d love to learn more about video storytelling.
I would like to add a visual element to my writing. However, I want the visuals to complement the writing and vice versa. It seems like this event would be a great forum in which to discuss and learn about this.
I’d like to learn how to tell stories better in different mediums.
I would like more tips about how to capture scenes in a video.
Hi Raul – thus sounds awesome!
I would like to learn to tell cross/multimedia stories – incorporating various mediums…
As you know, I already think I know everything about storytelling (any failures I blame on the editor and/or the gin). So I guess what I’d like to learn most is what I don’t even know that I don’t know: the undiscovered possibilities.
UPDATE – Winners are:
Ticket #1 – Lisa Johnson (via comment)
Ticket #2 – Monica Hamburg (via Twitter)
Congrats! Your names will be on the list, so no need to contact me, unless you can’t use the tickets (if so, please email raul AT hummingbird604 DOT com).