capturing assets,  digital storytelling,  links,  technology

18 things a digital storyteller needs

I’ve just updated my shopping list here:

brand new Aberth Digital Storytelling Resources

It’s actually the first page of a brand new sister website to this blog. Aberth Digital Storytelling Resources is a response to what a number of people have asked for: a site that brings together in one place all kinds of equipment and software that digital storytellers will find useful. I’ve chosen to focus on items on sale on eBay because it’s a great way of presenting current resources (like flashcard portable audio recorders) alongside discontinued software (like the digital storyteller’s old favourite Adbe Premiere 6.5 which can be installed on both Macs and PCs). I hope you find the new site useful. Please leave comments and suggestions here.

2 Comments

  • melyn

    That site is being taken offline now, so here’s the text of the page:

    18 Things a Digital Storyteller Needs
    Equipment and software for the making of digital stories
    And you can find them by clicking the links along the left hand side of this page.

    1 Computer(s) – I think Apple computers are probably better-suited to digital storytelling than PCs. If you want to train people on the kit that’s on the ground, you may want to choose PCs. How many do you need? Well, as many as you’ll have people making stories at a time plus at least two designated and set up for trainers.

    2. software. E.g. iMovie or Premiere for video editing, Photoshop Elements for image editing, Audacity for audio editing

    3. image scanner(s) which can be powered from the USB lead – not plugged into the mains

    4. printer(s) – Bluetooth-enabled saves cabling

    5. digital cameras with fast, large memory cards and a tripod (e.g. Manfroto)

    6. voice recording set-up. I recommend using portable flash-card recorders such as Zoom H-2, Zoom H-4, MAudio Microtrack or Edirol R-09. You can also use good-quality microphones (e.g. Rode) via a USB audio interface by Edirol or M-Audio to capture audio. If you do this, you’ll need mic stands, cables, windshields and clips and a script stand

    7. portable powered speakers. Edirol make good ones.

    8. DV camera for archiving stories. MiniDV tape, not disk, with DV-in enabled.

    9. other appropriate capturing/authoring devices as required for workshops (e.g. Nokia N93 mobile phones)

    10. data projector and screen

    11. tape, disk, card and storage stock

    12. portable storage – external hard drives and data sticks, external USB floppy drive and card reader

    13. cables – USB and firewire cables and mains extensions/splitters

    14. gaffer tape and rubber mats

    15. flight cases

    16. trolley

    17. access to transport suitable for carrying equipment will be needed by trainer

    18. other equipment, as advised by trainer

    You don’t need lots of equipment to make a digital story; this list may be useful though if you’re working up a bid for funding. This information comes from this page of my blog. It’s an aide memoir or a draft shopping list of things that may be needed to set up or run a digital storytelling project
    Look out for updates to this list in the comments section on my blog.

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