Digital Storytelling Assignment

For this final project option, you’ll explore one way to connect viewers with objects: by creating a three- to five-minute video that tells the story of one object of your choice. The object can be something you own, and your video can have a personal dimension, but the main focus of your video should be on the history, context, and importance of your object. Your story should be engaging but also extremely well-researched and documented.

In order to create this video, you’ll need to assemble media. You can do this in a variety of ways: by recording original photos, videos, and sound; by obtaining these media from the Web; and by scanning media that you obtain elsewhere. However you obtain media, you should credit your sources fully.

I suggest that you use iMovie to create your digital video, but you may choose other options, too, such as Prezi, FinalCut, or even PowerPoint. To edit audio, I suggest you use Audacity, but if you prefer another option, you’re welcome to use that.

Milestones

Feb. 2: Choose the type of of project you’d like to do (digital story, dataviz, exhibit).

Feb. 9: Choose your object.

Feb. 23: Submit an annotated bibliography on your topic.

March 1: Submit your storyboard. By this point, you should also have assembled the bulk of your media files.

March 10: Submit the completed video (either via CCLE or via a URL you send to me), along with a five-page essay describing your process.

Resources

Finding Creative Commons-licensed media

Fair Use Guide (UCLA Library), specifically see the Code of Best Practices for Fair Use in Online Video

Grading Rubric (credit)

Category4 Points3 Points2 Points1 Point
1. Purpose of StoryEstablishes a purpose early on and maintains a clear focus throughout.Establishes a purpose early on and maintains focus for most of the presentation.There are a few lapses in focus, but the purpose is fairly clear.It is difficult to figure out the purpose of the presentation.          
2. Point of ViewThe point of view is well developed and contributes to the overall meaning of the story.The point of view is stated but does not connect with each part of the story, although an attempt is made to connect it to the overall meaning of the story.The point of view is stated but no attempt is made to connect it to the overall meaning of the story.The point of view is only hinted at, or is difficult to discern.
3. Dramatic QuestionA meaningful dramatic question is asked and answered within the context of the story.A dramatic question is asked but not clearly answered within the context of the story.A dramatic question is hinted at but not clearly established within the context of the story.Little or no attempt is made to pose a dramatic question or answer it.
4. Choice of ContentContents create a distinct atmosphere or tone that matches different parts of the story. The images may communicate symbolism and/or metaphors.Contents create an atmosphere or tone that matches some parts of the story. The images may communicate symbolism and/or metaphors.An attempt was made to use contents to create an atmosphere/tone but it needed more work. Image choice is logical.Little or no attempt to use contents to create an appropriate atmosphere/tone.
5. Clarity of VoiceVoice quality is clear and consistently audible throughout the presentation.Voice quality is clear and consistently audible throughout the majority (85-95%) of the presentation.Voice quality is clear and consistently audible through some (70-84%)of the presentation.Voice quality needs more attention.
6. Pacing of NarrativeThe pace (rhythm and voice punctuation) fits the story line and helps the audience really "get into" the story.Occasionally speaks too fast or too slowly for the story line. The pacing (rhythm and voice punctuation) is relatively engaging for the audience.Tries to use pacing (rhythm and voice punctuation), but it is often noticeable that the pacing does not fit the story line. Audience is not consistently engaged.No attempt to match the pace of the storytelling to the story line or the audience.
7. Meaningful Audio SoundtrackMusic stirs a rich emotional response that matches the story line well. Images coordinated with the music.Music stirs a rich emotional response that somewhat matches the story line. Images mostly coordinated with the music.Music is ok, and not distracting, but it does not add much to the story. Not coordinated with images.Music is distracting, inappropriate, OR was not used.
8. Quality of ImagesImages create a distinct atmosphere or tone that matches different parts of the story. The images may communicate symbolism and/or metaphors.Images create an atmosphere or tone that matches some parts of the story. The images may communicate symbolism and/or metaphors.An attempt was made to use images to create an atmosphere/tone but it needed more work. Image choice is logical.Little or no attempt to use images to create an appropriate atmosphere/tone.
9. Economy of Story DetailThe story is told with exactly the right amount of detail throughout. It does not seem too short nor does it seem too longThe story composition is typically good, though it seems to drag somewhat OR need slightly more detail in one or two sections.The story seems to need more editing. It is noticeably too long or too short in more than one section.The story needs extensive editing. It is too long or too short to be interesting.
10. Quality of Research (for this element, all points are doubled)Story shows consistent evidence of thorough, detailed, and appropriate research.Quality of research is adequate and does not detract from the story.Quality of research is typically adequate but errors detracted from storyRepeated errors in research distracted greatly from the story.
11. Engagement with theory and historyStory shows consistent, sophisticated engagement with the theory and history of infrastructureEngagement with theory and history is present, but not original or sophisticateDemonstrates scattershot engagement with the theory and history of infrastructureTheory and history is not present or contains meaningful errors