:: methods

Silence Speaks draws not only on the Center for Digital Storytelling’s extensive history of exploring the relationship between personal narrative and multimedia, but also on an eclectic, interdisciplinary body of theory and practice in public health, feminist media studies and cultural studies, and human rights advocacy. We hope the following points clarify our approach to participatory media:

Using a curriculum developed at the Center for Digital Storytelling as a starting point, our workshops blend creative writing, oral history, art therapy, and participatory media production methods to assist people in telling stories as short digital videos (and radio pieces). While the specifics of workshop planning, agendas, and follow-up are determined through extensive dialogue with collaborating partners, a typical session brings together a group of eight to ten people who are guided through a process of: sharing personal experiences and offering feedback to one another in the context of a carefully facilitated “Story Circle”; recording individual voiceover narration; gathering and/or creating still images (through photography and/or drawing) and video clips; and either learning (via hands-on computer tutorials) to edit -- or guiding the editing of -- these materials into completed digital stories. We conclude each workshop with a screening of the stories (or story audio) and time for participants to celebrate their accomplishments. Within several weeks, they receive copies of their stories in whatever form of media is most accessible to them.

Our teaching philosophy is grounded in the popular education technique of starting from where people are. In the Story Circle, participants reflect on their own memories and life circumstances as well as on those of others in the group, thus building connections and solidarity. The teaching is facilitative; we talk storytellers through the steps they need to take in order to develop their stories. Our one-on-one work with participants focuses not only on technical concerns but also on embodied and emotional experience. Collaborating partners are always on-hand to assist with all aspects of the process and to coordinate additional healing, educational, or leadership development activities. When necessary, we bring in local co-trainers to provide language interpretation/translation support.

Our workshops are quite different from video production and information communications technology (ICT) training methods that emphasize the creation of a flashy end product or the intricacies of equipment and software rather than the potentially revelatory and joyful process of media making. We believe our way of teaching is essential for Silence Speaks, because it gives participants a sense of agency and control in the telling of stories about situations wherein they typically had little or no control. The workshops can be transformative on both the personal and collective level, as participants confront memories, explore what it means to represent themselves in media, and identify and discuss systems of power and privilege at the family, community, economic, cultural, and political level.

Note: Our workshops are not appropriate for individuals who are currently in crisis or are having severe symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. While most people come to digital storytelling when they feel ready and strong enough to do so, some are unable to make this decision on their own. We work closely with collaborating partners to determine methods for (1) ensuring informed consent about what a workshop will entail and how and where stories may be shared, once they have been created; and (2) screening potential participants carefully, to assess their readiness to tell a story and the likelihood that they will be able to access adequate follow-up support. For information about digital storytelling and trauma, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .