Zen and the Art of Storytelling Video Series Part 2

Well – see what happens when a summer project turns into a fall release the name of the show has changed. Early release woudl have been better I guess. This is part 2 of the course.

Over the few months I will be releasing the video version of this email course available now on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf Read more »

Should Storytelling Conferences be Professionally Recorded?

Last summer I pushed for the recording of important sessions of the National Storytelling Network’s (NSN) 2008 Conference I was recording my session on the future of storytelling online for this podcast. I figured why not do a little more? I exhausted myself and recorded the membership session and the regional NSN rep session. These recording are the property of NSN. Unluckily I work for myself like most artists and it took me two months to edit the work – then having finished it – I promptly forgot about it. Finally in November I got my copies to the NSN board. Jo Radner, the NSN board chair was very excited about getting some key sessions recorded. I got the feeling the board would have liked faster service – but you know the old saying you get what you pay for and I was free.

Others recorded the Keynotes and the Master storytellers concert. I don’t know what happened to these files. I’m sure the NSN got a copy of them somewhere. The master storytellers performance – Doc McConnell’s last performance – was almost not recorded! I saw the volunteer putting his equipment away before the performance, and when I asked why, I was told by NSN volunteers that the storytellers would never agreed to their work being recorded.

So I walked up to each storyteller and asked them for permission to record their performance “for NSN” with any other uses to be worked out later. They all said yes with a great deal of passion and Doc McConnell said we could do anything NSN wanted with his recording. I’m sure I was too pushy for bystanders

The reality is that storytelling has an advantage over other art forms, because new work is always being created. We all have material that we have not performed in years. We all have stories that were once primary to our performance, but now no longer capture our attention. What if all of that material was still available? Mostly I try to downplay storytellers’ fears by asking this one question: Reframing the whole debate… Do you want to be a part of the historical record?

That is how I would frame this debate over recording conference sessions.

Five years from now if this material is available will it still matter to you? Won’t you be on to other things? Wouldn’t it be nice to have this historical moment recorded? The question is not “Do we record our conference sessions?” The question really is ”When do we release our conference sessions? One year? Two years? Five years from now?”

The storytelling skill set is timeless – the skills and abilities we have today will not, unlike computers, internet or blogging, become old fashioned – they are ageless. I personally know that the storytelling movement has a lot to offer the world and think it’s time we stepped up to the plate to offer our skills. NSN or any other national organization could be the vehicle for that delivery. Who ever builds a content delivery system around the art of storytelling first will win that race and be the source for the international storytelling movement for the next twenty years. My website www.artofstorytellingshow.com is well on the way to being the source for all things relating to storytelling with children, but what about storytelling with seniors, in business, marketing, or any of a dozen different topics that I have not had time or resources to cover in the depth that should be covered?

NSN could be so much more then a network, using it’s conference it could bring the separate candles of the storytelling community into a bright light that would shine forth across the world.

Eric Wolf

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The Top 10 Storytelling Blogs of 2009

I rarely write articles for this bog – but I started thinking about it and I thought as way of thanks I would write a short article giving thanks to all those bloggers who have been so supportive of my podcast over the years. Keeping in mind that many of these people have become my friends, I apologize to any worthy storytelling blogger who feels excluded form this list.

1. http://www.artofstorytellingshow.com

If you reading this post – I’m sure you are reading this post on my blog so I’m sure I don’t need to convince you of the value of this blog on the web. I have tried to bring to this podcast every storyteller of every merit in the international storytelling movement. I only have a few hundred to go – so please spread the word as to the value of this resource.

2. http://storytelling.blogspot.com/

Tim Ernetta has a fabulous blog called “Breaking the Eggs: Performance storytelling in the 21st Century”. Tim planned years in advance for this blog by reserving the word storytelling in the blogspot universe – thank goodness he had the foresight. Instead of another dry examination of movies, theater or television, we get this entertaining look at American storytelling. He has one of the most refreshing views of what it means to be a modern storyteller. His examination of the boundaries of storytelling and his willingness to leave no stone unturned in his examination of what it means to be a storyteller, professional or other wise, makes this blog required reading for anyone who is serious about storytelling in the United States.

3. http://professionalstoryteller.ning.com/profiles/blog/list

A Ning is a new word like Google, Ebay or Facebook – Nings are dedicated online communities with a common philosophical focus. The professional storytelling Ning founded by Dianne de Las Casus includes not just one blog, but Read more »

Storytelling in the Video Age

By Leslie Slape

If you’re a storyteller with a webcam, you can record your stories and post them on-line. It’s remarkably easy. Since July I have been busily recording stories and songs, making up for years of talking myself out of it because of the expense, the time commitment and my nervousness in front of the camera. Now the videographer is me, the venue is my own home, and telling to the webcam is as natural telling in front of a mirror.

Videos are a way to reach a far, far wider audience than you ever dreamed. Through my presence on storyteller.net, ProfessionalStoryteller.ning, Facebook and, most of all, YouTube, I have told to people in unexpected places such as Qatar, Croatia, Argentina and Indonesia. I have also forged new friendships with other storytellers. I absolutely Read more »

Podcasting is the future of storytelling…

Very few storytellers make it easy for potential clients to listen to their material online. Many storytellers choose to hide the treasure of their professional work behind a wall of profit and self-interest. Unluckily for them profit and self-interest can be better served by bringing down the wall. How do you expect potential clients to be sold on your ability as a storyteller if they have never heard you tell a story? How many potential presenters or school administrators are not hiring storytellers just because they had one bad experience and need more evidence to overcome their prejudice? How do you expect people to buy your online CD’s without being able to test the waters?

As a movement we are offering what the world wants to hear. Currently America is filled with cynical, disconnected and apathetic people who are dying for authentic relationships. What is good storytelling? – authentic, real and Read more »

The National Storytelling Conference of 2008 – Panel on the Future of Storytelling Online.

Press Play to hear this interview that was recorded as a conference panel presentation at the National Storytelling Conference on Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 11 am ET – 2008. The Future of Storytelling Online from left to right Brother Wolf as moderator, Panel members Rachel Hedman, Robert Kikuchi-yngojo, Mary Margaret O’Connor and Fred Crowe off picture to the right.

Here is a brief bio on each participant.

Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo was the co-founder, along with his wife Nancy Wang of Eth-Noh-Tec. For the past 26 years they’ve created, performed, and re-synthesized ancient Asian mythologies and folk tales. As a storyteller Robert also performs solo, traveling nationwide working with national chapters of Young Audiences and other agencies. Lesser known, are his accolades in the Asian American music scene. He has recently launched Eth-Noh-Tec’s new podcast: “Once A Pod A Time”.

Karen Chace is a storyteller, web researcher and director of a student storytelling troupe. She is the author of Story By Story – Building A Student Storytelling Club, contributed to the NSN publications, A Beginner’s Guide to Storytelling, Telling Stories to Children and writes the Stor-e Telling column for Storytelling Magazine. She maintains a amazing website of resources at http://www.storybug.net

Rachel Hedman (http://www.rachelhedman.com) is a fusion of energy who takes everyday events, discovers the adventure behind them, and shares the stories with everyone. From sophomore high school youth teller to BYU Storytelling Club founder, she now serves as Co-Chair for the Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance. She spearheads approval of the Boy Scouts of America storytelling merit badge. She posts semi-monthly on her blog “Voice—A Storyteller’s Lifestyle” at http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com.

Mary Margaret O’Connor is the founder of iTales.com. Mary Margaret lives in Irvine, California and runs a pharmaceutical marketing consulting company. She is married with two kids. Despite this being her first visit to the beautiful Great Smokey Mountains, she couldn’t quite get inspired enough for yesterday’s 5am Pacific Time hike!

Eric Wolf is a children’s storyteller and host of the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf. Eric Wolf has a M.S. from Lesley University, apprenticed with Storyteller David Elhya in 1993. He writes on his experience as a dyslexic storyteller on his personal blog www.dyslexicstoryteller.blogspot.com/.

Bio’s Above ———–

————- Offers Below

Eth-Noh-Tec will be leading several cultural delegations to Asia: India 2008, China 2009, Singapore and Korea in subsequent years. This Fall, from Oct 31 through Nov 16, 2008, join them as they explore the storytelling in the oral and musical traditions of Chennai, India. There is room for their fall tour. Contact them: at there website www.ethnohtec.org or call: 415-282-8705.

Karen Chace has a four page handout available for you today. However, you may also receive it via email attachment. All of the URL’s will be hyperlinked for your convenience so you just have to point and click! Simply email Karen at storybug@aol.com with the subject heading “NSN Panel Offer.”

Be one of the first five people to post a comment to one of Rachel Hedman’s blog entries (http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com), share feedback on the entry, and request for a one-hour free consultation call with her about your blog. All other people who respond are welcome to get quick tips by email – info@rachelhedman.com.

iTales would like to offer storytellers to go to www.iTales.com and sign up to sell your story. In return, we will host and assist in the global marketing of your story.

Eric Wolf invites you to listen to his podcasts at http://www.artofstorytellingshow.com where you will be able to hear the complete recording of this panel in about month or www.fairytalesforever.com where there are 20+ stories online for easy listening. If you are interested in podcasting as possible venture please signup to his free e-course on Art Centered Podcasting at: http://www.artofstorytellingshow.com/podcast/

Eric Wolf Speaking during the podcast….

Thanks again to Fred Cowe for dropping in on such short notice….
http://www.artofstorytellingshow.com

Jeff Gere – Making waves: A Thinking Bigger Blueprint with Television and Radio

Fill out the form and press play to hear Jeff Gere on Thinking Big with Radio and TV on the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf show.

Tired of the tin sound? Purchase a HQ Mp3 File of Interview #051 Jeff Gere for $2.23 How you can Think Big with radio and TV.

A BLUEPRINT: I offer a blueprint based on my evolution here in Hawaii mapping a progression from a teller to a story producer of a Festival, a radio, and TV series. I believe it is vital for us to moving storytelling into the blood stream of the mainstream.

MY OPINION: Storytelling is like folk music before Peter Paul & Mary. Its self-image loves small and intimate, is largely adverse and suspicious of media and documentation while the REST of the Web Entertainment World explodes bland content in an ever-growing variety of methods and technologies. Content is King, storytelling is a DEEP WELL of PROFOUND CONTENT, but it/we are NOT reaching the fast-food masses. Our self-image does not serve us. I believe there’s a need for Storytelling. We have an opportunity: We who drink in this well ARE the ones to bridge this gap, get OVER our techno-phobia, and feed this rich story mana to the Masses. OK, you say, but HOW?

“The First impediment is self-imposed” Helen Keller.

A FLOOD BEGINS WITH A DROP: (you): Start with YOURSELF. Do your homework, find your Voice & polish coal into a jewel with your tongue. Tell tell tell tell and tell: THEN get biz card, resume, and website. Start small and Read more »

Exploring the Podcasting Revolution.

Press Play to hear this interview that was recorded as a conference call on 1/07/2008 with Baba the Storyteller who spoke with me about podcasting as a storyteller.

Baba and I speak about the podcasting revolution. Comments or feed back welcome here on the blog post. Do you think I should have Baba back? Is podcasting to narrow a subject? Are we off topic fro the Art of Storytelling with Brother Wolf? Will we ever stop talking off topic of podcasting during this episode? All this and so much more on two tellers talking – the podcasting special. Read more »

HELP WANTED: Seeking Reviewers to break out Podcast and storytelling movement to main stream!

Seeking: Storytellers, storytelling lovers and storytelling organizers to help break out podcast into main stage presence bringing storytelling movement along with it.

By having a high number of content rich reviews we seek to attract the attention of the iTunes staff and get this podcast featured in iTunes main directory boosting our downloads from 2000 a month up to between 10,000 to 20,000 downloads a month.

Qualifications: Must be comfortable using iTunes or paying a Read more »