Table of Contents
- 3 different types
- the structure | do you have a story, really?
- the structure | plan your story
- the media | enrich your story
- the narrative | storyline
- the narrative | storyline details
- the narrative | interactive
- the narrative | storyline | the end
- storyboard | the narrative | storyline
- examples | resources
- thanks
3 different types
-
1. one page =
completely linear, just 1 storyline > example Firestorm - The Guardian link to Firestorm
2. parallax = linear with sidesteps, 1 storyline with parallel additional parts; two or more storylines possible > example Snow Fall - The New York Times link to Snowfall
3. dossier = package of linear stories > example ikrk.srf.ch link to IKRK-dossier
the structure | do you have a story, really?
a real story needs at least
- someone
- doing something
- with one clear objective and/or problem
And that’s the short version ;-) The long and complete list:
a real story needs
- central character with motivation and specific characteristics
- action (a plot)
- main problem
- outcome
- judgement
- narrator
- frame
for more details on concepts of a story see – for example –:
the structure | plan your story
First check these 3 steps to an amazing story:
- 10 keywords
What are the essential words for our story? Without these keywords our story could not be told.
- 1 sentence (the take away)
What should your audience take away from your story? Write it in just 1 sentence or a tweet (140 characters).
- 2 plot points Plot points are events (i.e. action, quote, observation) that spins your story in a new and/or unexpected direction (*). Find at least 2 plot points in your story.
(*) for more details on the concept of „plot points“ see „Syd Field’s Paradigm“
the media | enrich your story
surprise your audience (and sometimes disturb)
Look for extraordinary pictures:
- emotion
- action
- prefer detail/close ups
- one point to focus
- the main object or person is on the right or the left side, never in the middle
Want to place text in photos? check in advance in which part of the photo your text is visible (white text on dark photo?).
use effects carefully
- slow motion
- HD video
- color splash
- stop trick
- time-lapse
use interactivity: scroll animation
the narrative | tell your story
Note: You’re going to tell a story. not to build a picture gallery. So, do it like Hollywood, write a screenplay. And make it more parallax, more interactive.
the narrative | storyline
-
START
Do not bore your audience with traditional heading and introduction:
surprise your audience
-
++ start with close-up, with details
++ start right in the middle of your story
intro
jump into your story with (i.e.)
++ detail (photo)
++ action (video)
++ surprising fact (text or graphic)
++ quote
info add some orientation with (i.e.):
++ bullet points for quick overview
++ personal welcome message (video)
++ map
cliffhanger make your readers curious with (i.e.):
++ quote
++ first part of a stunning picture
++ collage
++ text
mind the gap: The „bail out point“ comes at 80 seconds – at the latest.
the narrative | storyline details
It‘s a story to scroll – so, use the transition from page to page as part of your narrative.
It‘s an interactive story – use animation parallel to your text.
Again: It‘s a story, not a picture gallery – your narrative must be concise, strong and tight.
- set plot points: events (i.e. action, quote, observation) that spins your story in a new and/or unexpected direction
- have magic moments: quotes, facts, pictures, catharsis, clearing, aha!
- do not link outside your story: show additional material inside your story as a sidestep or a little break; offer additional material exactly when it is needed
the narrative | interactive
-
It‘s an interactive story – use animation parallel to your text and add interactivity:
the 2 types of interactivity
(1) your audience can only control the speed of your story:
- Slow down your audience reading by using transition effects between 2 or more pictures (again: it‘s an image-led story).
- Use flipbook-effects besides or in between your main storyline.
(2) your audience can control the speed and the depth of your story:
- Offer some choices in some parts of your story: additional reading, interactive map etc.
- Call to action: let your audience participate, start a dialogue or a quiz or a survey.
! Make sure these extras will be readable on small mobile screens as well.
! Choose these extras carefully, do not overload your story.
! Place them carefully, do not break the flow of your story.
the narrative | storyline | the end
-
- Offer short version at the end, i.e. offer a quick overview, this story in 10 seconds.
- link back to the most amazing parts of your story
- link to related content on your website
- link to related content on the web
- offer dialogue:
- invite to comment
- invite to talk
- call to action: motivate to share this story
storyboard | the narrative | storyline
-
START: thrill intro - info -cliffhanger the first pages + start quickly: your first 3 pages are extremly intuitve, easy and fast to read + show emotions
caption
STORY: depth + deliver more + indepth reporting + worth to read + slow down, but use different speed during this main part of your story + ensure diversity from page to page with tough changes i.e. from pure text to stunning action video etc.
caption
END: action + stop your readers + best-of-show (i.e. videos) + link back to the most emotional parts of your story + fun fact or other suprise (i.e quote, fact) + call-to-action (let them share your story)
caption
-
examples | resources
SRG: Qualität im Journalismus (http://www.srginsider.ch/qualitaet/)
SRF: (http://ikrk.srf.ch) „dossier“, produced by a web-agency
SRF: Die Menschen von Maracana (http://www.srfcdn.ch/srf/news/kultur/maracana/f5dba9bc6eb14ec5b084ff24b3742e05/)
SRF: Nationalpark – Hier wird‘s wild (http://www.srfcdn.ch/srf/news/nationalpark/)
Firestorm The Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/may/26/firestorm-bushfire-dunalley-holmes-family)
Snowfall NYT: (http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/#/?part=tunnel-creek)
(http://pitchfork.com/features/cover-story/)
Helmand’s Golden Age. Afghanistan once faced the future with confidence. Caught here on film, it’s an era the world has forgotten.
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_8529/index.html)
WDR: Auftaktrennen des Super Gravity NRW Cup (http://reportage.wdr.de/gravity)
WDR: Haldern Pop Festival (http://reportage.wdr.de/haldern-pop)
WDR: Jacques Tilly baut seit 30 Jahren Karnevalswagen für den Düsseldorfer Rosenmontagszug (http://reportage.wdr.de/jacques-tilly)
Examples from Shorthand (http://www.pinterest.com/shorthand101/):
ESPN: http://review.espn.co.uk/football/index.html
The Guardian: )http://www.theguardian.com/sport/interactive/2013/jul/08/england-v-australia-history-rivalry-interactive)
BBC: (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_7141/index.html)
Centre For Public Integrity: (http://eagleford.publicintegrity.org/)
Art Gallery NSW: (http://projects-origin.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/afghanistan/)
Alice In Wonderland: (http://story.sh/alice/)
Software:
(http://shorthand.com), (http://pageflow.io/), (https://prinzhorn.github.io/skrollr/)
Platforms: Jeremy Caplan’s 18 new digital storytelling platforms noted here
(https://twitter.com/jeremycaplan/lists/coolest-digital-platforms/members)
thanks
Thanks for great discussions, inspiration and additions:
Jeremy Caplan, Director of Education, Tow-Knight Center Entrepreneurial Journalism, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism (http://www.jeremycaplan.com),
Rachel Bartlett, Editorial planning and training manager for @Shorthand_, former editor of (http://Journalism.co.uk), (https://twitter.com/rachelabartlett)