Storytelling
Les 1
Pulp ➔ “soft, moist, shapeless mass of matter” ➔ A magazine or book containing lurid
subject matter and being characteristically printed on rough, unfinished paper
Quote: “Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today” – Robert
McKee
Quote: “If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story” –
Orson Welles
The art of storytelling
= a fundamental aspect of human communication and has been an integral part of our
cultural heritage for centuries. It is a way for individuals to share experiences, emotions, and
ideas through narrative form. Whether it is through oral tradition, written literature, theater,
film, or any other medium, storytelling has the power to captivate, inspire, and provoke
thought.
1) Structure: A well-crafted story typically follows a structure that includes an
introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This structure helps
to build tension, engage the audience, and provide a satisfying narrative arc.
2) Characters: Characters are the heart of any story. They should be relatable, well-
developed, and possess distinct personalities, motivations, and conflicts. Strong
characters evoke empathy and enable the audience to connect with the story on an
emotional level.
3) Conflict: Conflict is essential to create tension and drive the story forward. It can be
external (physical obstacle or antagonist) or internal (character’s inner struggles or
moral dillemmas). Conflict introduces obstacles and challenges that be characters
must overcome, leading to personal growth and development.
4) Theme: Stories often explore deeper themes or messages that resonate with the
audience. Themes can encompass universal concepts like love, friendship, justice, or
personal growth. They provide depth and meaning to the narrative, allowing readers
or viewers to reflect on their own lives and experiences.
5) Pacing: Pacing refers to the rhythm and tempo of the story. It involves managing the
speed at which events unfold, balancing moments of action, tension, and reflection.
Effective pacing keeps the audience engaged and ensures a smooth flow of the
narrative.
6) Imagery and Description: Vivid descriptions and sensory details help create a
visual and immersive ecperience for the audience. By painting a picture with words,
storytellers can transport their listeners or readers to different times, places, and
emotions, making the story come alive in their minds.
7) Dialogue: Dialogue plays a crucial role in storytelling by revealing character traits,
advancing the plot, and conveying emotions. Well-written dialogue should be
authentic, engaging, and move the story forward.
8) Point of View: The choice of a narrative perspective, whether it’s first person, third
person limited, or omniscient, influences how the story is perceived. Each point of
, view offers a unique vantage point and effects the reader’s connection with the
characters and events.
9) Suspense and surprise: Building suspense and incorporating unexpected twists
and turns keeps the audience engaged and eager to know what happens next.
Strategic placement of surprises can create memorable moments and leave a lasting
impact.
10) Emotional Resonance: A powerful story elicits emotional responses from the
audience. Whether it’s joy, sorrow, fear, or hope, the ability to evoke geruine
emotions helps forge a deep connection between the storyteller and the audience.
11) Authenticity: Authenticity is key to a compelling story. It involves crafting genuine
characters, sincere emotions, and relatable situations. The audience can sense when a
story feels contrived or lacks truth, so maintaining authenticity is crucial for effective
storytelling.
Each storyteller brings their unique voice, creativity, and perspective making storytelling a
rich and endlessly fascinating art form.
The many forms of storytelling
• Prose:
o Books, short stories, flash fiction
o Focus on language and narration
o Enables internal exploration
o Able to be stopped and started
o Highly flexible structure
• Film+tv
o Films, television series, short films
o Uses images and sound
o Forces writers to understand pacing
o Helps convey information efficiently
o Highlights core story elements
• Theater
o Full-length plays, one-act
o Live performance
o Direct interaction with audience
o Flexible storytelling
o Human-to-human connection
• Video games
o Computer games, console games
o Ability to seek out more story
o Interactive environment
o Introduces endless possibility
o Choose-your-own-adventure
,Script process
Basic storytelling elements
- The five major story elements --> Disaster, character, situation, objective,
opponent
, Every story has 3 act structure
3 act story structure
Act 1
Les 1
Pulp ➔ “soft, moist, shapeless mass of matter” ➔ A magazine or book containing lurid
subject matter and being characteristically printed on rough, unfinished paper
Quote: “Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas into the world today” – Robert
McKee
Quote: “If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story” –
Orson Welles
The art of storytelling
= a fundamental aspect of human communication and has been an integral part of our
cultural heritage for centuries. It is a way for individuals to share experiences, emotions, and
ideas through narrative form. Whether it is through oral tradition, written literature, theater,
film, or any other medium, storytelling has the power to captivate, inspire, and provoke
thought.
1) Structure: A well-crafted story typically follows a structure that includes an
introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This structure helps
to build tension, engage the audience, and provide a satisfying narrative arc.
2) Characters: Characters are the heart of any story. They should be relatable, well-
developed, and possess distinct personalities, motivations, and conflicts. Strong
characters evoke empathy and enable the audience to connect with the story on an
emotional level.
3) Conflict: Conflict is essential to create tension and drive the story forward. It can be
external (physical obstacle or antagonist) or internal (character’s inner struggles or
moral dillemmas). Conflict introduces obstacles and challenges that be characters
must overcome, leading to personal growth and development.
4) Theme: Stories often explore deeper themes or messages that resonate with the
audience. Themes can encompass universal concepts like love, friendship, justice, or
personal growth. They provide depth and meaning to the narrative, allowing readers
or viewers to reflect on their own lives and experiences.
5) Pacing: Pacing refers to the rhythm and tempo of the story. It involves managing the
speed at which events unfold, balancing moments of action, tension, and reflection.
Effective pacing keeps the audience engaged and ensures a smooth flow of the
narrative.
6) Imagery and Description: Vivid descriptions and sensory details help create a
visual and immersive ecperience for the audience. By painting a picture with words,
storytellers can transport their listeners or readers to different times, places, and
emotions, making the story come alive in their minds.
7) Dialogue: Dialogue plays a crucial role in storytelling by revealing character traits,
advancing the plot, and conveying emotions. Well-written dialogue should be
authentic, engaging, and move the story forward.
8) Point of View: The choice of a narrative perspective, whether it’s first person, third
person limited, or omniscient, influences how the story is perceived. Each point of
, view offers a unique vantage point and effects the reader’s connection with the
characters and events.
9) Suspense and surprise: Building suspense and incorporating unexpected twists
and turns keeps the audience engaged and eager to know what happens next.
Strategic placement of surprises can create memorable moments and leave a lasting
impact.
10) Emotional Resonance: A powerful story elicits emotional responses from the
audience. Whether it’s joy, sorrow, fear, or hope, the ability to evoke geruine
emotions helps forge a deep connection between the storyteller and the audience.
11) Authenticity: Authenticity is key to a compelling story. It involves crafting genuine
characters, sincere emotions, and relatable situations. The audience can sense when a
story feels contrived or lacks truth, so maintaining authenticity is crucial for effective
storytelling.
Each storyteller brings their unique voice, creativity, and perspective making storytelling a
rich and endlessly fascinating art form.
The many forms of storytelling
• Prose:
o Books, short stories, flash fiction
o Focus on language and narration
o Enables internal exploration
o Able to be stopped and started
o Highly flexible structure
• Film+tv
o Films, television series, short films
o Uses images and sound
o Forces writers to understand pacing
o Helps convey information efficiently
o Highlights core story elements
• Theater
o Full-length plays, one-act
o Live performance
o Direct interaction with audience
o Flexible storytelling
o Human-to-human connection
• Video games
o Computer games, console games
o Ability to seek out more story
o Interactive environment
o Introduces endless possibility
o Choose-your-own-adventure
,Script process
Basic storytelling elements
- The five major story elements --> Disaster, character, situation, objective,
opponent
, Every story has 3 act structure
3 act story structure
Act 1
