The Future of Storytelling - reflection post

A.

Shonda Rhimes said that she doesn't think the human need to to tell, hear and share stories will ever change. I haven't heard it put this way before, but Rhimes' opinion rings true when you look at how quickly platforms like YouTube, Snapchat and Tiktok have caught on. Many of us are searching for ways to share our experiences with others and to feel truly heard.

B.

Rhimes also said that she avoids watching television while she's working on a season of one of her shows- even though there's a lot of great content out there- because she doesn't want other stories to creep into her own creations. As a creative writer I can appreciate this because I frequently have to catch myself from sliding into another author's idea of what good storytelling is. The whole point of my writing is to express my views, my imagination.

C. 

The future of digital storytelling will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated. We have already reached a point where we can monetize digital stories by sharing them with a wide audience. While I believe that digital storytelling will still be a part of our daily lives in the next decade, I doubt it will be as profitable for the average person as it is today. The market is oversaturated and ultimately unsustainable.

Week 5 blog post

Both the video and the web comic focus on mental health issues, and both creators use computers to extend the reach of their messages, albeit in different ways. The content of this teen health video focuses on the deep bond between a father and son, and both their struggles with the son's bipolar disorder. Through the medium of audio/visual the son, Aaron, narrates his own message, much like Allie, the author of the web comic Hyperbole and a Half: Depression. Allie's preferred mediums are blogging and visual art, which they use to illustrate a journey through deep depression.

Aaron's message is directed at the families of young people who are coping mental illness. Aaron emphasizes the gratitude he felt toward his father for teaching him lasting life lessons and how those lessons are an integral part of Aaron's daily life. Although this video pays special attention to Aaron's father at the end, Aaron thanks his family as a whole.
Allie, on the other hand, is speaking to other sufferers of depression, offering a glimmer of hope to those who may feel isolated and trapped within their illness. Allie's use of illustrations suggests that they are hoping to reach a younger audience, and the happy ending to the story feels encouraging and uplifting.

The two stories are similar because they both address the issue of mental health. Both stories are communicated via computer and internet and both are narrated in the first person by its creator.

Allie's story differs from Aaron's because Allie is the only character of consequence; whereas Aaron speaks fluently about his father, the father's influence on Aaron's life, and their strong bond. Another difference between the two creators is the choice of medium. Aaron chose to emphasize the bond with his dad through photographs and atmospheric music, while Allie chose a web comic depicting a nondescript individual that could represent anyone who might relate to Allie's story.

McLuhan's Theory "the medium is the message" is very relevant when analyzing these two stories. The medium of audio/visual (photographs and music) made Aaron's message very personal, allowing him to reach a wider audience while retrieving the emotion behind his story. Allie's choice of blog and comic simultaneously obsolesces the author and creates a relatable character.

Week 1 blog post

In the early spring of 2015, Lauren was on the lookout for a new job. Something flexible, to fit her already busy schedule, and yet worth the inevitable hassle of working for someone else every day. Enter, Wilde Toyota. The largest Toyota dealership in Wisconsin, Wilde was looking for "appointment setters," someone to handle online and telephone inquiries about vehicles Wilde had listed for sale online.  The hours were flexible, the pay was decent and the commute was short. Perfect! (reconnaissance)

Within days, Lauren had applied, interviewed for and been offered the position of Appointment Setter. She has also spoken to several close friends and family members about the job she would soon start. Lauren's boyfriend is the most vocal critic of this new job. He had worked at a car dealership in the past and truly believes that no good can come of working for such "crooks."  (interdiction)

In spite of the warnings she receives, Lauren decides she must take advantage of the opportunity, given the many positives presented in the situation. (counteraction)

On her first day as an appointment setter Lauren meets Jim, head of the sales department. Jim leads Lauren to his glass-fronted office, offers her a beverage and begins the first training session. Lauren is diligently taking notes when Jim proclaims that "getting customers in the door is the most important part of the job." Lauren glances up from the notepad in her lap. "What if the vehicle the customer is looking for has been sold?" Without hesitation, Jim charged ahead. "Tell them it is. Get them in the door. It's my job as Sales Manager to get our customers into a vehicle; can't do that if they're not in the store. That's where you come in. Get the customers in the door and me and the sales team will do the rest." (struggle)

Lauren slowly shook her head in disagreement. "I can't do that. The customers calling in are doing so to ask about a specific car. I can't lie to people just so you can badger them into buying something they don't want." Jim spluttered, clearly shocked at Lauren's response and unable to form a coherent sentence. Rising from her chair, Lauren straightened her spine and spoke clear. " Thank you for the opportunity, Jim. But I'm afraid I cannot accept this position." And with that, Lauren turned on her heel and marched out of Jim's office. (resolution)