Interact with one’s own memory in a creative way.
Practice changing perspectives.
The participants must have found a memory or story (either personal or traditional) they want to work on for the duration of the exercise or for the whole workshop
Materials needed
✓ No materials needed
Proposed location
✓ Large location
Steps
1.
The participants sit in a circle
2.
One by one, each participant takes a turn in telling a memory/story (2-4 min each)
3.
During the telling of the stories, the Facilitator gives the participant inputs on where to set the point of view of the narrator.
Examples:
- You tell it in the first person. (eg. “One day I was…)
- You tell it in the first person, but you are [any other character of the story/memory].
- You tell it in 3rd person, as if you were a person sitting in a corner
- 3rd person as if you were a bystander passing by (you see things from afar)
- 3rd person as an omniscent being from high above the sky
- 3rd person, but you are a small creature flying around [one of the Characters]
- 1st person, but you are one of the objects used in the story
Closing up
- Once everyone in the circle had his turn to discuss with all the participants on what point of view felt more effective in telling the story, what gave the most vivid and memorable images?
To go further
- Discuss how specific points of view and perspectives work in photography,
- use the discussion to introduce the exercise “Cut and frame”
Tips
✓
When giving inputs, feel free to ask the participants to stop and describe more, or to focus more on the events (as in the exercise “and then? Tell me more…)
✓
You don’t have to use all the examples given, chose the one who you deem more fit to the narration given, feel free to add more if you one, if you are in a very creative group ask the other participants to suggest some (it will also make them feel more involved)
✓
Don’t force the participants, stimulate their imagination, but recognize when they have no idea on how to go on and let them move on without frustration.
