Digital Storytelling Technical Supporting Paper

Transcription

1 Digital Storytelling Technical Supporting Paper This paper is designed to supplement the digital storytelling training by Breaking Barriers as part of the 1000 Lives Plus Stories for Improvement Training Series. The following pages provide technical information on the software and hardware options available for PC (including some costs), and a high level overview of different ways to collect the story. The digital storytelling training will be provided using free and downloadable software; however the skills learnt will be easily transferable to all options. We recommend this paper is read in combination with the Learning to use patient stories Tools for improvement guide Lives Plus National programme: 1000 Lives Plus is the national improvement programme supporting organisations and individuals to deliver the highest quality and safest healthcare for the people of Wales. Every health board and trust in Wales, together with universities, voluntary organisations and charities, other public sector services, and commercial organisations are involved in 1000 Lives Plus. The programme is focussed on building capacity and sustaining and spreading improvements. It supports frontline staff across Wales through evidence-based programme areas and provides clinical leadership through its Faculty. It is committed to engaging patients and students in improvement work and promotes an internationally-recognised quality improvement methodology Lives Plus is underpinned by measurement to illustrate improvement, and facilitates collaborative working to test new methods and protocols. The central team supports senior managers and frontline staff to deliver the quality of care that every person needs, everywhere and every time. Introducing Breaking Barriers: Breaking Barriers Community Arts has been making digital stories since They were involved in the BBC Capture Wales project and have made over 700 stories with many people and organisations for lots of different purposes since. They will provide support and training for the production of digital storytelling. The Breaking Barriers website is currently being upgraded; however they can 1

2 be followed on Twitter WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE A DIGITAL STORY There are many software options available to develop a digital story, and although the more expensive tools will produce a higher definition product, digital stories can be developed using free or reasonably priced options. For the occasional times when broadcasting quality may be required there are a number of professional companies able to develop specific products according to needs. THE 6 STEPS TO MAKING A DIGITAL STORY 1. Help someone to find a good story. 2. Record them telling their story. 3. Help them prepare pictures that will enhance their story. 4. Edit the pictures and recording together to create a short film. 5. Encourage people to watch it. 6. Archive it so the story never gets lost. CHECKLIST OF WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE DIGITAL STORIES What do I need? Page Check Good stories. 3-4 Computer. 4-5 Hardware to record the voiceover. 5 Hardware & software to prepare the pictures. 5-6 Software to prepare the audio voiceover. 6 Software to put the voiceover and pictures together. 6-7 Extras. 7 2

3 Good stories: Collecting and developing a story in digital format must be undertaken with the full consent of the storyteller. Before you begin the process you should clearly discuss with the storyteller: What you are trying to achieve, what is your aim? What is a digital story and what steps are required to develop it consider discussing different options as highlighted below. Discuss how the story may be used and shared. Clearly explain that the storyteller is under no obligation to agree to take part and for their story to be used or developed. Once you have reached an agreement with the storyteller about the collection, development and use of their story, make sure they sign appropriate consent. You should revisit this consent once the final product is developed to ensure that the storyteller is happy with it and with the agreed use and circulation. Ask the storyteller to re-affirm consent by signing a final form or adding a signature and date to the previous form (depending on your governance process). You can find an example of a digital storytelling consent form in appendix 1. Three options are recommended for collecting stories for the development of digital storytelling: Use existing recording of stories: Stories are audio collected regularly by NHS Wales for service improvement purposes. Your organisation s Stories for Improvement Lead holds an archive of stories and will be able to help you identify stories that may be suitable for development as digital stories. However it is of the up most importance that the storyteller consents to this further development before you go any further. It is unlikely that such consent was sought when the story was originally collected so you will need to contact the storyteller to discuss why you wish to develop the story, how you intend to use it and who you plan on sharing the story with. You should also ensure the storyteller is offered the opportunity to be involved in the development of the digital story if they so wished to, this could be by providing photos or being involved in the editing process. Once the digital story is complete you will need to share this with the storyteller and complete a new consent form before sharing it further. 3

4 Remember the story is always the property of the storyteller and you should always ensure they are fully aware and happy with how the story is used, developed, and shared. Appropriate consent forms should be collected before starting the editing process. You can learn more about this method by reading Learning to use Patient Stories - the 1000 Lives Plus Tools for Improvement guide. Ask the storyteller to write and record a script: Ask the storyteller to write a script of their story in an A4 sheet of paper (approx 2500 characters) and to choose images to complement their story. Help them think through their story by asking them to describe their experience in detail and how it made them feel. Ask them to identify what went well and what could have been improved. When the storyteller is happy with their script and has provided written consent to the development use and sharing of the story (as appropriate), audio record the storyteller reading the script and scan any images they provide to be used in the editing process. Use a storyboard template: Use the storyboard template shown in appendix 1 to help the storyteller plan their digital story. The story always belongs to the storyteller and you must never lead this process, however you should use the template to help them focus on key messages and images they would like included in the final product. The template is an effective solution for collecting stories from people who may wish their story remains anonymous or who may have speech, literacy or language difficulties. Appropriate consent must be sought before developing or sharing the storyboard any further. You may need to use music and actors reading the information provided in the template for the development of the digital story. If you use music, make sure you use non copyrighted music. Computer: 1. Digital stories can be made on almost any computer, PC or Mac, provided it has the appropriate software installed. However, only PC instructions are included in these pages as NHS Wales does not support Mac. 2. Computers of newer and higher spec will run easier and faster, allowing the development of more complex projects. 3. Finding new software that is compatible with older machines may be hard; IT departments will be able to advise on the best options available for 4

5 local needs. 4. It is recommended to use a computer that s dedicated solely to the creation of digital stories. This will help keep control of how full it gets by regularly archiving the stories, which will keep it operating at its peak. Hardware to record the voiceover: Good quality audio is fundamental to digital story making and it is recommended inventing in a good quality portable digital audio as this will dramatically improve the quality of your final product. Option 1: Budget, very basic sound quality option: Use the computer s own microphone. Try a mobile phone or the video option on your digital camera. However check with your organisation s Stories for Improvement Lead before using your phone as it may breach organisational policies. Option 2: Much better sound quality option (Recommended): Portable hand-held audio device: this is like a digital camera a small box with a memory card but it has a microphone instead of a lens. Some models to explore are the Zoom Handy H4n or the Edirol R09 HR portable recorder. Costs range from 250 to 400 depending on model and suppliers. However most NHS Wales organisations already have recorders available. Contact your Stories for Improvement Lead to access a digital recorder. Option 2 additions: o Extra cables: check what your particular device requires o Memory cards: check what your particular device requires o Batteries Option 3: The professional set up: Add a better quality microphone to the digital voice recorder. Aim to find a condenser microphone, either a lavalier (lapel) or a shot-gun microphone. Option 3 additions: o Microphone leads o Microphone stand o Microphone pop shield Hardware & software to prepare the pictures: Photos are fundamental to the development of digital stories, where possible you should aim to use existing copyright free photos; you may sometimes need to take new pictures to complement the audio. 5

6 Hardware for preparing the pictures: 1. Digital camera: most digital cameras will be adequate, even a phone if needs be, as you will need small sized photos (3 Mb tops). 2. Scanner: essential if your project is likely to use old prints. 3. A universal card reader: this will help you access the photos from different cameras even if the storyteller has lost their lead. Software for preparing the pictures Free options: Windows Live Photogallery and Paint are included in the Windows Office package. Download free software: GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program. Gimp can be quite complex and hard for beginners to use. Download free software: Small budget option (recommended): Adobe Photoshop Elements. Consider buying it bundled with Adobe Premiere as this will provide for your picture preparation and video editing software needs. The bundle can be purchased for approximately 75 and it will provide you with most of the facilities you will need to develop digital stories. Software to prepare the audio voiceover: Download Audacity (recommended): Free Audio Editor and Recorder. You may need your IT department s assistance to download this to your chosen PC. Technology moves fast so always keep an eye for new and improved free and downloadable software. A set of headphones will be required to help edit the audio effectively. Software to put the voiceover and pictures together: This is the final step of digital story making, simple projects can easily be undertaken using free software but if you plan on developing large number of stories and of more complex nature, we recommend investing in the budget option as this will provide a more cost effective solutions for your needs. Free/Small budget option: 6

7 Windows Movie Maker 6 (2.6 will also work). Movie Maker came free with Windows XP and Vista, check with your IT if it s not already available on your computer. If you use Windows 7, Microsoft have altered it to a program called Windows Live Movie Maker, which is less appropriate for making digital stories. However, Windows Movie Maker 6 can easily be installed and run on Windows 7. Alternatively, new free and downloadable software becomes available all the time, check with your IT support before downloading any software. Small budget option: Adobe Premiere Elements: see the audio editing section for more details. Other options: Extras: There are lots of video-editing software packages and more are continually being developed. We are unable to test and advise on them all. A good set of headphones is key to audio editing. Archiving: hard-drives and discs: Make sure to allow for plenty of space to store your stories. Discuss with your IT the possibility of purchasing a third hard drive to store stories. DVDs: Allow plenty of discs with cases to able to share the stories with the storyteller and others as required. DVD burner: It is likely that you will need to install a DVD burner, discuss this with your IT department. 7

8 Appendix 1: Example of Digital storytelling consent form Digital Story Consent Form I (insert name) agree to tell my story of I understand my story will be recorded, developed into a digital story and it will be kept by [Insert your org. name]. I give permission for my story or quotes from it to be used by [insert your org Name] for the following purposes. Please tick the box if you agree for your story to be used in: Improving our services Staff Newsletter Presentations and training Reports Website Leaflets / Brochures/ Posters Newspaper and media All of the above I understand I can change my mind after telling my story at any time without giving a reason Sometimes we may show your first name and age when we use your story. Please tick one of the options below: I am willing to have my first name and age shown I am not willing to have my first name and age shown I understand that [insert your org name] might need to contact me again about this story and I am happy for them to do so. Please tick if you agree I understand that my story might be shared with other NHS organisations and I am happy for this to happen. Please tick if you agree I agree to tell my story about my experience and the purpose has been fully explained to me. Please tick if you agree Please sign reverse 8

9 As the legally consenting individual I agree to the use of the material for the purposes detailed overleaf. Participants Signature: Name (PRINT): Date: Age: Contact details: [Insert org name] Authorisation As a representative of [insert your org name], I feel it is appropriate for photography / recording to take place under my supervision. Signed Print name [Insert your address] [Insert your phone number] Date 9

10 Appendix 2 Storyboard: Please use this storyboard to help plan your story. Use each box to sketch and note your story. Choose your pictures carefully and select a few words or a strap line to accompany each picture. Don t go into too much detail, just outline each point you want to get across. Your first statement should indicate what you are going to talk about and your last point should be the punch line the moral of the story, the insight or even a question this is what your viewers will remember. Remember that much of the power of the stories storyboards lies in their brevity keep it simple and short, but focus on the point you want to make. Story Title: Date: Name: Based on Digital Storyboard template designed by NHS Tayside

11 Opening statement: TITLE OF STORY Punchline Any Additional Notes:

12 Example of a storyboard: