Storytelling

Challenge

I did an internship as an documentary film maker. I’ve done a short film  about the climate movement Extinction Rebellion (XR). I specified on  interviewing teenager who are a part of XR. Especially with teenagers you  have to open them up before an interview. They were often nervous because  it’s new for them to talk in front of a camera. That was how storytelling  helped me to form the nervousness into excitement and confidence.

Selection

Storytelling describes the social and cultural activity of sharing stories,  sometimes with improvisation, theatrics or embellishment. Every culture has  its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment,  education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values.   In my case storytelling was helped me to let the teenagers feel comfortable  and understand.  I really needed a solution for this specific problem and I was pretty sure that  storytelling would be the best fitting key.

Application

Every time one of the climate activist told me that they were nervous, I told  them the story when I was nervous how I handled it. I tried to help them to  understand that it’s totally normal.  I wanted the interview to seem more like a casual small talk with a friend than  an interview what is going to be published. In order to do that, we also  talked about more private stuff that doesn’t necessarily has something to do  with the questions. That helped them to forget about the camera and open  the teenagers up.

Insight

The first interview was with a 16 year old girl. When she came in, she told me  she wasn’t sure about knowing the right answers and I told her right away

that there are no right or wrong answers. This interview is not a quiz! It is  about your opinion and experiences.

I told her a story about my first interview. I was at home because this  interview was over a phone call, I was so nervous that my sweat was  dropping down my body the interviewer asked me questions and I couldn’t  think of anything to answer so I said things that didn’t make sense. I was  scared that this interview would not represent my opinion.   I just told her the exact same thing and she was very understanding. She  suggested to send me questions per mail so I can have time to think about  the answers. That helped me feeling more comfortable and I can really think  of answering the questions. So we had another interview two days later and I  was able to use my notes.   I’m telling you when you don’t know what to say just take your time think  about your answer.

Approach

This course made me see this tool in a new way. Storytelling can be used in  so many aspects of you your life. Not only for work, but also to show  empathy in order to get a new friend.  I can prepare ahead and think of stories that will assist me in presenting my  ideas and best illuminate them.


Storytelling Challenge I did an internship as an documentary film maker . I ’ve done a short film about the climate movement Extinction Rebellion ( XR ) . I specified on interviewing teenager who are a part of XR . Especially with teenagers you have to open them up before an interview . They were often nervous because it ’s new for them to talk in front of a camera . That was how storytelling helped me to form the nervousness into excitement and confidence . Selection Storytelling describes the social and cultural activity of sharing stories , sometimes with improvisation , theatrics or embellishment . Every culture has its own stories or narratives , which are shared as a means of entertainment , education , cultural preservation or instilling moral values . In my case storytelling was helped me to let the teenagers feel comfortable and understand . I really needed a solution for this specific problem and I was pretty sure that storytelling would be the best fitting key . Application Every time one of the climate activist told me that they were nervous , I told them the story when I was nervous how I handled it . I tried to help them to understand that it ’s totally normal . I wanted the interview to seem more like a casual small talk with a friend than an interview what is going to be published . In order to do that , we also talked about more private stuff that does n’t necessarily has something to do with the questions . That helped them to forget about the camera and open the teenagers up . Insight The first interview was with a 16 year old girl . When she came in , she told me she was n’t sure about knowing the right answers and I told her right away that there are no right or wrong answers . This interview is not a quiz ! It is about your opinion and experiences . I told her a story about my first interview . I was at home because this interview was over a phone call , I was so nervous that my sweat was dropping down my body the interviewer asked me questions and I could n’t think of anything to answer so I said things that did n’t make sense . I was scared that this interview would not represent my opinion . I just told her the exact same thing and she was very understanding . She suggested to send me questions per mail so I can have time to think about the answers . That helped me feeling more comfortable and I can really think of answering the questions . So we had another interview two days later and I was able to use my notes . I ’m telling you when you do n’t know what to say just take your time think about your answer . Approach This course made me see this tool in a new way . Storytelling can be used in so many aspects of you your life . Not only for work , but also to show empathy in order to get a new friend . I can prepare ahead and think of stories that will assist me in presenting my ideas and best illuminate them .