PhotoStory 3 is a Free Download for PCs running Windows software

1. If you're a PC, click here to download on your home computer.  (Always check with your parents for permission before downloading any software!)
2. If you're a Mac, your computer should have a program on it called iMovie that you can use for digital storytelling. Note:  since we are a PC school, you would not be able to edit your story at school if you create it with iMovie. 
3. Here's a tutorial to get you started: http://www.jakesonline.org/photostory3.pdf

Overview 

  Here are the steps to create a digital story.

1. Organize.
2. Write a script to record with a microphone
3. Plan the story using the storyboard template
4. Collect your resources (photos, music, sound effects)
5. Record the voiceover; add sound effects.
6. Create the story.
7. Edit it.
8. Save the final as a .wmv file
9. Evaluate: Wwhat do you think of your project? 

Get Organized

 A Digital Story has a script, sound effects, music, and images.  You want to keep all of these files together in one folder or you won't be able to find them when you need. On the Shared Drive you will make a folder to keep all your files.

1. Keep everything you need on the shared drive in your folder and save your bibliography on bibme.
2. Here's the handout for getting started with Photostory.

Write the script

1. Your whole project depends on your script. Great script = great project.  Crummy script = crummy project.  The script will help you decide what images, music, sounds, and voiceovers you need.
2. You are telling a story, so think about how you want to tell it.   Write it in your own voice.
3. Writing prompts:  "Long ago in a land far far away..." "Think about what life was like before...." "Once upon a tine...."  "Back in ancient times in a land called China..."
4. Your first script might be crummy.  That's OK.  Your revised version might be a little better.  That's OK.  You might revise again.  OK, too.
5. Your final version will be great!  Great script = great project.
6. Save your script in your folder on the shared drive.

Plan with a Storyboard

1. Hollywood movie directors use something called a storyboard to create each and every scene in their movies. 
2. The storyboard keeps track of what images, music, sound effects, voiceovers, and transitions between scenes go together.
3. Try one of these storyboard template to plan your project.    storyboardtemplate.pdf   digitalStorytellingStoryBoard.doc

Collect Your Resources

1. Use your storyboard as a 'shopping list'  to go on the internet to find what you need.  Here's an example:  You may need 10 images 3 sound effects (a rain storm, a door slamming, a crowd yelling) , and 2 kinds of music.
2. Here's a list of great places to find copyright friendly images, sound effects, and music.  But try creating your own music in PhotoStory, it's easy and fun.

Record the Voiceover

1. Split up your script into sections for each slide.  You will record each section separately.
2. Test your sound level--loud enough, but not too loud.
3. Remember you are not reading your script you are 'performing it!'  Be dramatic!
4. If you don't like the way it sounded the first time, it's no big deal.  It's easy to re-record it until you're satisfied with how it sounds.

Creating the Story

Photostory software puts images, text,  and sounds together to create a story.  It is a little like PowerPoint, but has some cool features and it's easy to add sound.  Follow your teacher's instructions for where to save your finished story.

Edit

Add sound effects, music.  Rearrange your photos, tweak your captions.

Save

Follow your teacher's instructions for saving your final project.  It takes a few minutes to 'render' the story into a Windows Media Player file.  Rendering mashes up  the images, the captions, sound effects, music, and your voiceover into one file.

Evaluate

Compare your project to this rubric , or one your teacher has given you.  What do you think about your project.