Vélo Stories

Storytelling project

This aspect of Vélo Stories values empathy, listening deeply but also favours raising awareness and advocacy around an issue as well as strengthening the sense of community.

Stories of ... humans ...

I want to create a thoughtful space for individuals to share their stories.

Clearly, my inspiration is the photoblog Humans of New York and the work of its creator, Brandon Stanton. It consists of a get-together, where everyone is welcome to share their experience. The participants can choose to write and/or record their story. The medium also allows expression through art, which makes the approach creative and highly participative.

Why? To give a voice to people who don’t have one; personal growth; advocacy, building community.

Set-Up: mostly urban
Media: videos editing; photos; art; music; dance.

Digital Storytelling (DS)

Be your best story. Create. Produce.

It consists of a short digital film (2-3 minutes) that allows everyday people to share their experiences on a given topic, very often deeply personal. Developed by Joe Lambert at storycenter.org, Digital Storytelling is defined as "a short first-person video narrative created by combining recorded voice, still and moving images, and music or other sounds". One could say a Digital story is half way between art therapy and an autobiographical narrative. It aims at personal empowerment.

A workshop will be organised to facilitate the creation and production of the DS story.

The workshop takes place in a safe space with a benevolent group that allows trust and confidence to share a personal story. It involves discussions, creative writing, sharing and listening. The process continues with the visual creation and production of the short movie. This is the occasion for many to develop know-how with movie editing and recording software. The individual project can include a variety of pictures, drawings, and paintings as well broad choice of music.

During the whole process, the author decides what they want to reveal, suggest or keep silent... The result is very personal stories, with strong healing potential and deep authenticity.

Why? Increase the sense of empowerment; change; raise awareness; personal growth as well as honour personal life stories.

Set-Up: workshops in a small group.

Media: software; technique; art; music; pictures and drawings.