Author: therlpd

This blog is part of the requirements for EXSM5510, a course I'm taking on Social Media.

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Across the void

Telling a story across different platforms

Navigating the complex world of cross-platform storytelling is an art in itself. I’ll go step by step how I shared a simple story – a story of adventure in Jasper National Park across different social media platforms and what storytelling principles, tips and tricks I used along the way.

What’s the big idea? A weekend getaway Jasper National Park

First off, the idea. What is it? I wanted to tell a simple story of weekend in the National Park. So is my story suited to cross platform storytelling? What elements am I including; well I want a balance of images, text, and video with and without sound? I used a mix of media, why – check out Fell’s (2017) video highlights why storytelling is powerful in the digital era.

Basics of storytelling

Check out my previous blog post on Pondering Good Storytelling which included a helpful infographic to help you get to grips with some of the basics.

See the whole infographic in the Pondering Good Storytelling Blog Post.

The Power of Short Form

So how do we tell the story people want to hear? We can learn a lot from brand storytelling! Attention spans are getting shorter, so multiplatform storytelling can grab and hold attention. We know videos are successful, Twitter notes Tweets with videos attract 10x more engagement. So as part of my 2 piece weekend story I included a Twitter thread with a video. I made the video using Adobe Video Maker, take a look and let me know what you think on Twitter!

Weekend Getaway Part 1: Twitter

I then linked the thread to the next video (also made with Adobe Video Maker) which I put on Instagram. For this video I went shorter, and included more still photographs. I highlighted that part 1 was on Twitter, adding my handle and to go to my bio for the link to this behind the scenes blog!

Weekend Getaway Part 2: Instagram

We’ve then got this blog, which in a way is a story about a story, so you could think of this blog as Part 3.

Bonus content: Don’t forget to tell people!

Letting people know about your story is also so important! Whilst yes things can go viral with no effort, there are plenty of options available to spread the word and entice people to your story. In the brilliant brand storytelling examples highlighted by the Vyond Team there would have been a comprehensive marketing strategy pushing the videos that used various platforms, Twitter, Facebook, even direct emails and outdoor video boards that shared either the full video or snippets of them.

See my attempts below:

I opted for a snipped video on Twitter offering a sneak peak of my story https://twitter.com/theRLPD/status/1561942217454862337

Then a promotional Tweet to the blog post https://twitter.com/theRLPD/status/1561942987264823298

Instagram photo with post and which mirrored a Instagram storyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/ChlvwirO_9-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Facebook post with image https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid031kMfL9QM4jFK5HncRrwoiXykTDTQMLP1GLWmSSyHJ4Lp49VMuyiEJnLEJr5CFfZLl&id=100085117531619

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Pondering Good Storytelling…

An Infographic of Pondering Points

If like me you are new to the nuances of the art of storytelling… it can be an overwhelming experience to suddenly start telling a story! You’ve heard about the idea of good storytelling…. but what does it mean? What should I think about?

Thinking about storytelling can be overwhelming!

People are natural storytellers… supposedly! Somedays I don’t feel like a natural storyteller… Purportedly that is what separates us from the animals (can we ever be sure animals aren’t storytellers???). I digress, but what we do know is there are certain core components, key considerations, or as I call them pondering points that can help create a good story!

There are lots of pondering points to help us along the way…. whilst we might not need to know the scientific detail of why our brains like stories… (Its true and Harvard says so and why here: Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling) but we can use the their academic findings to help us as storytellers. There are also plenty of quality opinion and experience pieces from really competent (and incredibly popular) storytellers like Pixar or even medium providers like Twitter than can help us in our quest for good storytelling!

Anyways I condensed my top pondering points from some excellent references into the handy infographic below to help you to start storytelling!

Pondering points for good storytelling

References:

Aerogramme Writers’ Studio (2013) “Back to the Story Spine.” https://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2013/06/05/back-to-the-story-spine/

Lamar, Cyriaque. (2012) Gizmodo. “The 22 rules of storytelling, according to Pixar.” https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-22-rules-of-storytelling-according-to-pixar-5916970

Dolan, Gabrielle (2017) Stories for Work: The essential guide to storytelling https://thelbdgroup.com.au/using-stories-to-build-and-strengthen-connections

O’Hara, Carolyn (2014) Harvard Business Review. “How to tell a great story.” https://hbr.org/2014/07/how-to-tell-a-great-story

Zak, Paul (2014) Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling https://hbr.org/2014/10/why-your-brain-loves-good-storytelling

Reese, Nick. 2018. Twitter Marketing. “How to use storytelling to craft better tweets.” https://business.twitter.com/en/blog/how-to-use-storytelling-to-craft-better-tweets.html 

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Explore Jasper National Park

Here would be a very comprehensive travel blog all about Jasper National Park that the Instagram story would link to.

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An evening on the St Albert trails…

Well, my summer resolution is to explore all of St Albert’s 99.5km of trails is well underway! I’m always wondering why can’t they just make that extra 500m to get 100km? Come on St Albert. Despite the foreboding clouds, I headed out to tick off another walk along the fabulous trail system.

A Map of the St Albert trails
St Albert’s trail system

Tonight the Erin Ridge Ravine!

Completely to my surprise, tonight’s walk included something unexpected.

Vibrant communities have their own way of expressing themselves, and nearby residents have added what could be described as an eclectic art installation to this trail. The community has done a wonderful job of adding something truly unique and fun to their local environment, that encourages others to add their own touches.

We know as #EXSM3989 students a surprise is an important device that can be used in an engaging story.

Educational Tutorials. 2016. “How to Write a Great Short Story – The 8-Point Story Arc.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0HEqI3pJIM

Which when coupled with suspense can captivate readers…

I attempted to build a bit of suspense around the unexpected find. Using a mini cliff hanger, which is an important, yet sometimes considered cheap and overused as a writers’ tool. Hopefully I didn’t fall into that trap!

TED-Ed (2017) “How to make your writing suspenseful” by Victoria Smith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjKruwAfZWk

We know the medium of Twitter can accentuate the cliff hanger by building up to the unexpected happening or surprise in one or two tweets. Also, a ‘beat’ much like comedic timing can be added, perhaps a GIF to further build the excitement or suspense. The big reveal then happens in subsequent Tweets, which I tried to employ!

You can read all about my unique discovery it in my latest twitter thread here:

Read all about it on Twitter!
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“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

Describing one of my favourites, Casablanca (1942).

Why is Casablanca one of my favourite stories?

The classic Casablanca line

Aside from often quoted lines and wonderful music score, the location of Casablanca provides a visually engaging backdrop. The setting against the complicated geo-political backdrop of World War 2, adds struggle – a key story component according to O’Hara (2014) – to the compelling 3 act structure.

The Story in 3 Acts

The Story Spine method helps convey the key moments. However, Casablanca is highly complex, explores multiple character arcs and has numerous twists, which is why the film is so enduring!

Act 1 – Setting the scene

Once upon a time, as people flee German occupied Europe desperate to reach safe-havens, they pass through Vichy controlled Casablanca.

Every day, cynical Rick manages ‘Rick’s Cafe Americian’, a popular Casablanca casino, which is known for it’s music. This song is one of the reasons I love this film!

“Play it again Sam” is never said in Casablanca!

Act 2 – all about the girl?

But one day, Victor and his wife Ilsa walk into Rick’s Cafe seeking help.

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in the world, she walks into mine.”

Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart)

Because of that, Rick is conflicted, as he sticks his “neck out for nobody“. Through flashbacks we explore his history… we start to understand Rick’s jaded attitude…

Because of that, despite Isla’s pleas Rick won’t hand over the papers he has acquired that the couple need to escape. Victor is subsequently arrested at an underground resistance meeting. Rick still loves her???

Because of that, Rick tells the local Vichy French police chief, Captain Louis Renault, that he wants to leave Casablanca with Ilsa. Rick suggests the police release Victor and create a trap. If the police can detain Victor attempting an escape, he will face harsher punishment and Renault can win favour with the local German Commander. A cunning plan…

Until finally, Rick double-crosses Renault, forcing him to phone his officers sending them away. Unbeknownst to Rick, Renault calls the German Commander, who tries to stop the plane, but is shot by Rick. Ilsa and Victor to escape on a plane bound for Lisbon. Which was Rick’s plan all along… Plot twist!

Character motives and pasts are explored in flashbacks and call backs throughout the film.

Act 3 – Spoiler! He doesn’t get the girl…

And ever since then, Renault doesn’t arrest Rick nor stop the plane, but suggests he and Rick escape Casablanca and join the French resistance! Rick’s jaded outlook fades as he returns back to his idealist ways.

“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” 

Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart)

Bonus – Unsolved mystery

Rick’s past is alluded to, but we never find out why he can’t go home to America… Leaving an unanswered question divides critics, some feel it leaves the consumer empty whilst others feel it’s important to be left wanting more. I quite like that we are left with the mystery….

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