#dmc201

[westreamline]

5.9.2019 | Character and voice

Honestly, I’m not sure if my takeaways have anything to do with the chapter topic ‘character and voice’. Yet I still found some pretty good information. Here are my takeaways from chapter 2 of ‘Out On The Wire’ by Jessica Abel:

A character having a change in emotion, can be the magic ingredient to make you stop and pay attention.

Money itself has a narrative. (p.87)

When interviewing experts you have to find a story in their voice using clear language.

When interviewing experts find the ordinary human, the trick is to get the mind and heart synchronized with the voice.

[westreamline]

4.11.2019 | The Hard Truth 

First of all, I love the title of this chapter. Also how this chapter was structured to highlight important information.

Here are my takeaways from chapter 5 of ‘Out On The Wire’ by Jessica Abel:

hard and honest critiquing of your work, makes you project better.

Group critiques allows you to pull from different perspectives, people different skill strengths.

Even when you love a part in your story, if it doesn’t fit your thesis cut it!

‘Edits’ and ‘Editing’ are two very different things. An edit is when a group of colleagues verbally critique your draft. Editing is the literal cutting of tape to shorten and shape quotes and sound for a story.

[westreamline]

4.4.2019 | Sound carries the mood of your story 

Funny thing about reading this chapter is, it connects directly with material I’m learning in my sound design class this semester. Here are my takeaways from chapter 4 of ‘Out On The Wire’ by Jessica Abel:

When you think musically when telling a story, you’re thinking about narrative.

Sound can create an emotional tone. It can also simply create room for emotion to hit you.

Often the main thing that music is doing is just holding the space and letting the moment live.

Music can help tell the audience whats important in a story.

Two free sound sites are freesound.org and soundsnap.com

[westreamline]

3.24.2019 | Are you interested in your own ideas?

The source of good ideas come from your own interest. If you are amused or interested in knowing more about a topic, you are in the right place to find a good story.

Here are my seven takeaways from chapter 1:

Look for stories you are interested in.

The best stories come from topics you don’t understand and have to explain to yourself.

The focus sentence represents your hypothesis.

The focus sentence helps you figure out if your idea is actually interesting. Also, the focus sentence not only suggest a narrative arc, it allows for a process of figuring out what in your research fits the narrative arc.

Noticing when you’re bored is important, because it means that something in the story isn’t happening in the right way.

A story that is just “about” something isn’t a story, it’s a topic.

Don’t assume a story is interesting, articulate why.

[westreamline]

3.19.2019 | Storytelling is Universal

No matter what medium you use film, comics or journalism. In the preface of ‘Out On The Wire’ I learned, that story structure works when stories are told as a sequence of actions/events.

Here are five elements to tell stories effectively:

Stories that ask big questions.

Surprising, engaging characters.

Authentic voices.

Robust narrative structure.

Intricate uses of sound as part of storytelling.

[westreamline]

3.11.19 | Checking out some art & having lunch with professionals

Every spring Villa Maria College host a luncheon at the Albright Knox. The event featured several guests that are professionals and leaders in their industry.  

The opportunity to network, make connections and gathering information from experienced professionals is priceless. One downfall to the event is it was too short. 

Below I have listed my seven takeaways:

If you are building a website or creating content “Think user experience first.” - Pamela Martin, Digital Content Manager at Albright-Knox Art Gallery

No matter what kind of marketing or PR campaign you put together, it won’t have long-term effect unless you build relationships first. “Building relationships is your foundation.” - Jeannine Weber Kahabka, Director Of Marketing & Public Relations at Explore & More Children's Museum

When working at an internship, get involved! Do projects that add to your resume.

“You can do alot with a small team.” - Kristen Schober, Communications Specialist at Villa Maria College

Focus on the story being tight not the fancy equipment.

“Advertisement is paid for, PR is earned.” - Jeannine W.K.

When people say marketing doesn’t work, that means they’re not doing it right!

[westreamline]

3.11.2019 | Introduction: A Year To Go

It’s been awhile since I have posted on here. So, first and foremost, Hello everyone! I am one year away from my bachelor's degree. This semester I'm taking two courses that can really add to my skill set. I'm taking Narrative Arch and Digital Communication: Strategy and Planning.

Not only do I want to improve my storytelling ability, but I believe taking Narrative Arch can help develop my skill to find and analyze a story.

Honestly, I don’t know what to except from my Digital Communications course. However, it sounds fancy! So, I will have to do a follow up review after I have taken the course. But I can say that the course textbook focus is on public relations and marketing, so I’m excited to take it..  

Send me all your positive energy, Im going to need it! I’m taking 18 credits this semester, the most I’ve ever took. But I’m up to the challenge.