Adam Westbrook
Last winter, I had to pinch myself when I got an email from digital storytelling guru Adam Westbrook asking if I'd contribute to his latest book project, Inside the Story. He was bringing 20+ of the world's best digital storytellers together and presenting us with one simple challenge: to share our wisdom in 200 words or less. The result is one of the most revealing, inspirational, and heartfelt collections of advice I've yet to stumble on in our industry. I can only hope that my meager contribution stands up to the rest.
After downloading my own copy and devouring every page, I was left wondering one thing: What did Adam learn from all of this? I asked him... and this is his response.
Some of my favourite entries in the book talk about story structure, which is something I'm personally fascinated by. Henrik and Poul at the Bombay Flying Club, Amy O'Leary, Ben Samuel, and Claudio Von Planta in particular have some great, practical advice about how to start, end, and create drive throughout a story.
But what I found really interesting is that no one has a set formula for what makes a good story-- no one offered a "here's how you do it"-type entry. I personally find that very reassuring, firstly to know that there isn't a hard and fast process (where would the fun be if there was?); and secondly that even the best storytellers, with the work to prove it, don't start with a plan. They just get to work, and figure the rest out as they go along.
Another reassuring thing is that not a single contributor mentions equipment throughout the book. No one talks about lenses or software or anything like that. It goes to show that whether you can have a top-of-the-range camera or an iPhone, both put you on a level playing field when it comes to telling a story. Kit doesn't matter. It's also interesting how many of the contributors (including Ben Chesterton of Duckrabbit, Philippa Young, John Pavlus of Small Mammal and Richard Koci Hernandez) write about the importance of getting your hands dirty. John's advice, for example, is to be crap on purpose-- it sounds contradictory, but it makes perfect sense when you read it. The way to get good at telling stories is to get to work, turning them around as quickly as you can.
If you haven't downloaded the book, you're missing out. Get a digital copy of your own today for just $5-- 100% of the proceeds benefit Kiva. I guarantee you will be a better storyteller for it.
Friday, May 18, 2012 at 9:59AM 
Survival International
