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Video essays and digital storytelling

A guide for creating video or multimedia projects for assignments.

What is a digital story?

Digital stories as a research method and as a tool for community engagement

A digital story tells a story. BUT it can also be used as a research method, to gather and analyse diverse perspectives and individual experiences, AND as a community engagement tool, giving people who may not otherwise have a voice the opportunity to share their experiences with a wide audience.  It can be particularly engaging for youth or marginalized individuals or groups who may have a harder time getting their stories heard.

The PROCESS of creating a digital story can just as valuable as the PRODUCT.

The process of story-creation can allow people to reflect on and learn from their own experiences and the experiences of others.

--Introduction courtesy of Dr. Sarah Fletcher, ResilienceByDesign Innovation Lab, Royal Roads University

The digital story process

The tabs in this guide will guide you through the process of creating a digital story.  You will find suggestions and tips for every step of the process from planning your story, to building media and sound into the story, to editing, and finally uploading your finished product.

Storyboard template

Attached is a recommended storyboard template.

--Sample storyboard courtesy of Dr. Sarah Fletcher, ResilienceByDesign Innovation Lab, Royal Roads University

Sample consent form

If you are including people other than yourself in your video, you must get their consent.  Below is a sample consent form.

--Sample consent form courtesy of Dr. Sarah Fletcher, ResilienceByDesign Innovation Lab, Royal Roads University