Blog Post: Week 4 Progress Check-In and Planning

Progress on My Digital Story

I’m making steady progress on my digital story, Empathy in Action, which focuses on the hidden battles people face daily and the transformative power of empathy. So far, I’ve completed the story mapping and scripting stages and have begun developing the visuals using AI-generated illustrations.

Editing the images in Adobe Photoshop and then compiling these images in Adobe After Effects, I’m planning to add panning, zooming, and subtle animation effects to bring the narrative to life. For narration, I’ll blend my voice with AI-generated voiceovers, enhancing the emotional depth.

Week 7 Story Sharing Plan

To ensure my story is ready by the 7th week, I've prepared the following timeline:

• Weeks 4-5: Finalize visuals and animations—complete the rough assembly of visuals with narration.
• Week 6: Refine timing and transitions, add sound effects and background music, and run through several tests for overall flow.
• Week 7: Final edit, prepare it based on the feedback, and practice the presentation for delivery.

One thing that I could use some help with is choosing the right background music to complement the emotional tone without overwhelming the narrative. If anyone has any suggestions of sound resources that work well at creating a reflective and empathetic atmosphere, I'd love some suggestions!

Tools and Resources for Production

I am considering looking at trying out WeVideo and Adobe Premiere Rush as possible application tools for final production. After Effects is great for creating movement and visual storytelling, but I will probably do the final edits to improve timing and flow with narration using either WeVideo or Adobe Premiere Rush. Both of these tools have user-friendly features that could make adjustments and finishing touches more efficient.

Authentic Audience and Potential Impact

The real audience for Empathy in Action is any high school student, educator, or any person in the community who can share in the struggles of what people face externally versus their hidden internal challenges. The story is intended to call out the deep-down feelings of people who, more often than not, feel overlooked or misunderstood in the hustle of everyday life. I hope this digital story will make the viewer stop and think about the unseen struggle others may be going through by pointing out empathy. I think this is going to be a story that will really resonate with students who often feel alone or unnoticed. It's about developing a sense of connection, letting them know that kindness and empathy can bridge gaps and make a lasting difference, even in small ways. Also, it will provide resources for students who may be struggling with emotional or mental issues. 

Skills and Knowledge Developed

Throughout this project, I’ve developed various skills, including visual storytelling and the application of media tools to create the story. Crafting a narrative that both entertains and conveys a powerful message has reinforced my understanding of pacing and emotional buildup. I’ve also gained insight into how digital storytelling can engage audiences on a deeper level, making abstract concepts like empathy more accessible and relatable.

The Potential of Digital Storytelling on My Community 

I find digital storytelling with students has the potential to be life-changing because it allows them to delve into their own lives, reflect upon difficulties, and connect with others through empathy. As a facilitator of digital storytelling, one might say that my role is to guide students through both the technical and emotional aspects of storytelling. With this, I am hoping to get them to tell stories about issues they care about and develop a better sense of community and empathy in the class and beyond.

Looking to the next couple of weeks, I am really looking forward to continuing to refine Empathy in Action and then being able to share it with the class in Week 7.