This Is a LIVE WEBINAR · Storytelling & NASA Kendal Haven – Biologist turned storyteller Long range research with NASA and DARPA “Narrative Influence” Story is the structure

14/10/2016

© Simon Oats Storyteller, 10.4.2014 1

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©Simon Oats Storyteller 18.8.2015

14/10/2016



Storytelling Webinar 1

Presented by Simon Oats Storyteller

How I set my face on fire


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• 20 years in the dramatic arts

• 11 years Performance Storyteller

• School of Storytelling

• Drama and English Teacher

• Author – Storytelling for Intercultural

Connections


My Story


Clients

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Oral Culture


• Survival of the fittest ideas

• Transmission is a web

• Everyone owns ideas

• Ideas get passed on or they die

(From Winning the Story Wars by Jonah Sachs)

Broadcast Era


• Survival of the Richest

• Transmission is one to many

• Ideas are proprietary

• Doesn’t rely on audience participation to spread

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“Digit-oral” Era


• Survival of the fittest ideas (content)

• Transmission is a web

• Everyone owns & creates ideas

• Ideas get passed on or they die

3. Inspire and motivate

What can the right stories do for you?


1. Engage your audience

2. Create Trust through Empathy

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Not so fast… To get these benefits you have to get the right story right

Stories aint Stories


But – There is a formula…


What is Story?

Every human culture in history has storytelling at its core

A 3-year-old child can tell a simple story before their brains can retain a simple set of instructions

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Adults spend most of our leisure time on story-based activities


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Storytelling & NASA

Kendal Haven – Biologist turned storyteller Long range research with NASA and DARPA “Narrative Influence”

Story is the structure our brains use to select for relevant information and embed it in memory


Stimulus Meaning Memory

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Your brain on Facts


Your brain on Story

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Emotions are like neon signs telling your brain: “Remember This!”


Emotion drives Behaviour

Stories activate core parts of the brain that govern emotion, motivation and behaviour

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Information supresses Behaviour

Information is processed in the cerebral cortex, which supresses action in order to “think things through”

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1a7tiA1Qzo


Storytelling and the Neurochemistry of Empathy

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Effective Stories:

1. Are Emotional

2. Engage the Senses

3. Deliver the message

4. Inspire action

- Trigger Distress & Empathy

- Use vivid imagery

- Are structured to communicate the message through action

- All the above


4 Elements of Story

Characters

Struggles

Goal

Details

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Characters


Stories are about a person we can empathise with – the protagonist, and the other characters they interact with

Goal – Must be Concrete!


The Protagonist must strive to attain a tangible goal so that we can barrack for them

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Struggles


We feel the protagonist’s pain (cortisol) as they struggle to overcome obstacles to attain their goal.

This is why we empathise (oxytocin)

The Essential Story Structure


Protagonist Obstacle Goal

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The language of Story is Image.

Concrete sensory images are what light up the sensory centres

Detail (Images)


of the brain and make us feel like we’re there and it’s all happening to us.

How to select your Main Character


Protos + Agonistes

First in importance

One who competes or

Struggles

Protagonist

Protos + Agonistes

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Questions


Before Webinar Pt 2 on 28 October, please:

1. Identify one CSR/Social Good goal that you wish to achieve

2. Articulate the Goal in plain English – and make it SMART

3. Identify who the Protagonist is

4. Identify the barriers/obstacles that may prevent you from achieving that goal ( both internal and external)

Send to Hailey by 26 October if you would like it workshopped on Webinar pt 2

Homework part 1

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Before Webinar Pt 2 on 28 October, please:

Watch this video by Ray Anderson of Interface (very inspiring)

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2JAhpzhLb4

Any questions?

Homework part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2JAhpzhLb4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2JAhpzhLb4

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Thank you

Documents

This Is a LIVE WEBINAR · Storytelling & NASA Kendal Haven – Biologist turned storyteller Long range research with NASA and DARPA “Narrative Influence” Story is the structure