Digital Storytelling

I'm writing about one of my most embarrasing moments for my digital storytelling essay. I've only filmed it once. I can see that I need extra people to help me with the effects. I don't feel that it is even close to being good yet but it has potential. It's a crazy story that I enjoy telling about getting ready for a family reunion one year. To start I wanted to write about my trip to Taiwan and it's many unknowns. When I wrote the events it seemed doable. I'd like to have that part of my life recorded before I forget the details. When I conferenced with Audrey, she gave me positive feedback but we both agreed that there were multiple stories in my story and maybe it was too broad for this assignment. None the less I wrote the events down and was ready to make a digital story. By the time I got home, I changed my mind. I spent the evening writing the events for two more crazy experiences I have had that everyone loves to hear me tell. Of course I act it out as well. So now I have 3 sets of events written!!!!!! What I don't use now I'll use in my classroom to model. My process for my digital storytelling. My choice "The Family Reunion." The next step is a need for pictures. Being an artist the first thought was to draw them out like a childrens story(kind of cartoonish) I stuck with that plan an used watercolor to finish them. First I tried to record it on my Smartphone. The file was too large to down load. Next I tried my Cannon Camera. Bingo. I need more sounds and effects. This morning when I arrived I loaded it in Moviemaker and that's where I'm at now, ready to do some serious editing. I'd actually like to record it again a couple of times to get the total effect of emotion. Right now, it's just a very rough draft. It's whole but rough. The story has never died and someone brings it up every year. Then we laugh and when someone gets married and we have a new family member I have to relive and retell the story. I usually act it out. I like drama. The actual event happened at Price Cutter. For the sake of the class I called it Sally's Grocery. If I can bring it to perfection I want to put it up on You tube. It's one of my goals. I have a crazy snake story that I'd like to turn into a digital story and publish it too. I'm taking to heart the words that Keri said yesterday, what do you want people to see and know about you when they google your name. I did that last night and found over 300 posts for Elaine Ashley. I was shocked. There was nothing exciting about me there...that needs to change. As my students work this year on their digital storytelling, I already have ideas and events recorded for several stories. I will model this year and I'm well on my way to doing that with these great story starts. I appreciate everyone who has stepped up to the plate to help me in this digital world. I'm trying to stop being fearful, but so often there is one thing you need to do to make something work and I can't seem to see what the one thing is very often.