Module 2 – EXSM 3989 – Digital Storytelling Class Blog

-Kelly Dawn Morrison

Adventures in trusting an anxious dog

We’re lucky to have found a dog as great as Winston. For more than a year we sent in application after application without ever hearing anything back from the rescues and animal welfare groups. Then one day we came across an ad – a family had to rehome their puppy after a month because their baby was allergic to him.

*Winston is loving and forceful about it!*

We have another Boston who is 8 years old and I always remembered him being easy. While he has taught Winston how to be a polite dog and how to play, one thing we had to learn was how to help Winston through separation anxiety. This live Twitter feed walks the reader through the first day that I put up a gate so Winston couldn’t spend the day with me while I worked from home.

“What needs to happen before people go back to normal life is begin social distance inside of the house. Let’s say, if the dog follows you 100 times, don’t let him follow you 50 times,”
Cesar Millan, June 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmVSLqCh-RI

*I’m certain Winston dreams of doggie daycare* *while I work*.

I wanted to explore a variety of common themes in this exercise. This topic is relatable in 2022 as people struggle with transitioning back to work with a pet who is used to them being around. My concern about my home being destroyed, and fear of the unknown when all I hear is silence, both build up tension and suspense. Seeing what a good boy he is being allows the reader to feel all the emotions with me when I see he is doing some surprise activities when I check on him. It couldn’t be much more authentic because I was really living it! And there is a sense of urgency as I worry about an item he finds and chews.

To help the flow of the story, I followed the structure of a simplified story spine:

Once upon a time… & every day…: I describe how life has gone so far and how we managed Winston’s anxiety and trouble with potty training.

But one day…: It’s time, I tell the readers, to try trusting my dog after all this training.

Because of that…: I set up the room, and prepare the puppy for success.

Because of that…: I describe an almost anti-climactic silence I hear.

Until finally…: I can wait no longer so I start to look in on him. I describe what I see in pictures with very brief commentary.

And ever since then…: I bring the reader to a conclusion about whether this experiment was successful. The story is closed with some surprise added value for the readers.

And now, please enjoy the sweet boy’s first day of freedom!

We got Winston 6 mths ago from a family with 3 kids, no previous pets. Baby was allergic-he lived in a basement, used pee pads and they didn’t even own a leash. It’s been WORK. He’s penned in the day, until tomorrow. I’ll be upstairs, him down. Are we ready for this? #exsm3989 pic.twitter.com/wS75LVZfYS
— Kelly Dawn (@MsKellyDawn) July 25, 2022

A Dreamy Story I’ll Never Forget

One of my favourite stories is the movie What Dreams May Come. It’s the story of Chris and Annie, a couple deeply in love. Annie is a talented and sensitive artist and Chris is her biggest fan. They suffer a devastating loss of their two children which changes their lives forever, with Chris trying everything he can to make Annie happy again. Four years later, Chris seems to be breaking through to Annie when he also dies in a car accident one stormy night. He wakes up to his friend welcoming him to Heaven and showing him around. Heaven is magical, a place right out of Annie’s most beautiful paintings where he learns he can do anything. His dog jumps out, slipping across the wet paint of the colourful field he is in, and the sky swirls shades of blue and white. He can fly, walk on water and touch the delicate paint strokes of a flower. He seems happy.

Except one day, he learns Annie has taken her own life, and when suicide is involved, the people don’t end up at the same place as Chris has found himself. The movie follows him as he tries to find her and save her from the dark fate she is living. He never gives up, and is determined that because they are destined to be together, he will be able to save Annie.

I now realize this story has stuck with me for over 20 years because of the four reasons Linda Brown discusses in her Module 2 video. If you view the video, specifically at the time stamps below, you’ll see this story is a great example of how a good storyteller makes a story moving.

The Universal Message Of Love Conquers All. [Time stamp 1:49]

The writers set the story up so that I fell in love with their relationship. I felt comfortable and engrossed in her art and his love of it. I wanted it to last and for them to be happy. The story of love conquering all is timeless and some argue is the oldest story of all time. I just know I’m drawn to a well-written love story based on a supportive and committed relationship.

Clear Structure and Purpose. [Time stamp 2:26]

The writer developed the feelings of the characters long enough that I understood what they were going through. I felt their pain, and Chris’ perseverance left me with the message to never give up, no matter how hard the road ahead seems. Events happened at a pace and in a sequence that made sense to me. Although the message of love conquering all is woven through the entire story, the deeper message is that faith is what gives you strength to not give up when you see no other option.

Simplicity. [Time stamp 3:25]

The visuals of this move won both an Academy Award and a Satellite Award, but the simple story of love lost and the journey back to each other is what really keeps the viewer engaged.

A Character to Root For. [Time stamp 3:42]

Robin Williams played the character of Chris in this show, and portrayed him as sincere, passionate, honorable and committed. His reasons to keep fighting are powerful, and leave the viewer desperate for him to prove that love conquers all.

Overall, the story of What Dreams May Come captivates a viewer who is not afraid of deep and dark emotions and inspires her to feel those emotions and work her way through them. The visual effects tempt the viewer to explore the screen as if she were in a gallery. It draws her in to a world as beautiful as she can imagine, full of hope and perseverance.