TDS NEWS Digital
Thornhill Digital Storytelling (TDS)
Monday, February 13, 2012 – Week 8
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Digital Storytelling As Documentary Process
Creating Programming For Digital Media
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Publishing TDS NEWS Finally Gets A Little Attention
1. The Printed Seminar Program
The printed program, TDS NEWS, has contributed greatly to the acceptance of the overall premise of Thornhill Digital Storytelling. Detailed, helpful information is distributed at each seminar in every issue. The publication is available only at the seminar and serves as the program for the event. There are many examples in the booklet as well as referrals.
The event program is usually a 32 page, B&W printed booklet. An important part of the TDS presentation is “50 Steps To Documentary Success.” There is a full section dedicated to the list of these steps. In the list I identify the suggested ritual, schedule and responsibilities (processes, tools and products) necessary - to build a successful funding proposal.
In the body of the program are two sections devoted to support for the seminar participant to continue their research and learning after they have left the live event.
(1) Examples of “Digital Storytelling” and “Branded Entertainment”
(2) Listings of resources, actual URL connections for industry leading media companies and outlets you might want to keep in touch with to promote your concept, your documentary or your studio.
In this jammed issue I refer you to specific downloads for product examples and specific links for media Web sites.
It has been very well received.
So well that the printed TDS NEWS has been joined by this issue you are reading. The former “blog” is now TDS NEWS Digital. And for 2012, the combination will have a new editor, a new designer and a very committed photographer. If you have an event or announcement, send it now to be considered for the TDS 2012 Calendar and possibly a Web site and mobile app.
How about an upgrade?
We are ready to deliver a more attractive package. That can only happen with new, well qualified help. The improvements I expect will come from an editor, a design director and a photographer.
Although I have not found the perfect crew members, I continue to slowly build my case for publishing to make our work better understood and a strong consideration for partner candidates.
2. The Digital Program
Because many of the referrals in TDS NEWS are direct links to this treasure of well-researched information, there will be an app – or digital distribution – version to be available through your computer, smartphone, e-reader or digital tablet in the near future.
The first digital publication survived as a blog for one year in a very simple text form. The search is on for talented photographers to add luster to TDS NEWS Digital, still issued weekly.
The complete set of 2011 TDS blogs are being tidied up for the archives. These will help at each review to show our progress.
The hard work of upgrading every part of TDS continues. You will see it in our presentations and publications, and probably notice our new venues and our higher prices.
The Second Round
Are you ready for the next Thornhill Digital Storytelling Maui Video Marketplace seminar, publication
and reception?
Of course for this issue of TDS NEWS, most of our attention is on the event publication – the program. Before the first Maui booklet, there were 18 dated programs that served the seminars well. The January 2012 Maui program had greater detail in each section, first time descriptions of plans for the Digital Metropolis concept and a bigger bundle at 36 pages.
An important part of the TDS presentation is the list and discussion of the “50 Steps To Documentary Success.” In this section of the conversation I identify many responsibilities, processes, products and categories one must pay attention to - to build a successful funding proposal. To provide even greater benefit, I will invite speakers to explain their involvement with one or more of these 50 steps.
For the Second Round program there will the same list of 50 Steps. And there will be an important expansion. Where possible, I will list specific providers, suppliers, companies or organizations for those parties prepared to contract for help on their storytelling project.
For instance, instead of simply indicating that a script, design, audio, video or digital photography are component parts of production and distribution, I will give the headline and leave space for specific names and contact information.
Of course, I can only list the information that I have on hand. If you have associates who might benefit from this open referral, please let them know. Feel free to distribute this information far and wide.
The consensus in the inner circle is that late April would be a great time to return to Maui. This time there will be a few more hands mixing the soup. A crew roster will have planners, workers and presenters from the island and the mainland. These folks represent partnering companies, organizations and schools.
Administration
Calling all planners, administrative assistants and project managers. We need you to make our aggressive program complete! Administrative services interest in partnering for development of businesses, events, publications and documentation might want to get their information to me by March 1, 2012.
Duties as basic as maintaining the project calendar and as difficult as database management will be offered to professional services.
Spaces:
With great luck we will strengthen our facilities planning with a crew to start on Proposals and eventually a presentation.
Our new home base is in Culver City, California.
These seminars have survived interesting venues. There has been a photography center meeting room, a music studio, library meeting rooms, classrooms, a beautiful visual art gallery, a bar, a car dealership showroom and a technology center.
Digital Facilities…
Are facilities important enough to create a true digital hub? The presentation would be fantastic with internet connections, cable connections, a satellite dish, large monitors, comfortable seating and hospitality. How expensive are these digital facilities and who would build or outfit them? This will certainly take additional research.
Production and Learning Studio
Would such an environment result in actual contracts? Could it start with a training schedule? What design and environment questions do we start with?
Digital Metropolis
A much more efficient process would be to start with a design for a cluster of buildings – planned for owner or tenants with a mutual interest in digital development. Is there a plank in the local economic development platform to address such issues?
An exciting option like this takes about three years to evolve. Please don’t think that immediate answers are required, but paying attention would be a good idea.
Partner recruiting will not be easy. We continue to grow in sophistication – and each year is better than the last. Our upgrades are reasonable and we love our work. It will happen
Thornhill Digital Storytelling (TDS) is maturing very nicely in so many ways. Of course the piece that keeps making new friends for the package – and keeps the veterans coming back – is our concept of Kai Zen; Continuous Improvement. This is most visible in product development.
Research continues everyday. As we make this primary product better, we are really following a game plan that will keep us on the right track for years.
You Can Participate
- Let me know that you are interested in this or similar projects
- Refer this information to everyone you know who needs to be enlightened
- Attend, or sponsor ($20 each) a seminar
- Attend, or sponsor, one or more of the social events
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, send your e-mail indicating what part of our package has your attention. You can pledge with an e-mail or a phone call to (206) 265-2279.
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For Digital Storytelling Weekly Updates: http://digitalstorytellingseminar.blogspot.com/
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Are you registered?
I believe that 2012 is your year. The Thornhill & Studio Quarterly Design Review – Q1 2012 is here! Here on Thursday, February 16 and Friday, February 17, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The two days of rich programming are free to all with advance registration. To register go to: http://thornhill-quarterly-Q1-2012.eventbrite.com
The main venue is DeVry University, Bellevue Center, Bellevue Corporate Plaza, 600 108th Avenue Northeast, Suite 209 in Bellevue, WA 98004. - www.devry.edu.
The outline, guest speakers and interactive sessions will show you the many options available for future partners.
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The Thornhill Design Laboratory
Andrew W. Thornhill
Culver City, California
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www.thornhillportfolio.com
Copyright © 1971 - 2012, Andrew W. Thornhill, All Rights Reserved