Group Project

Group Project

Music in Storytelling

            How do you feel when your favorite song comes on? Or what about the song you loved when you were 14? What emotions do these songs bring out in you? Whatever they are, they are strong. Music can make us feel many different things, all with great impact. This is why I find it almost essential to add them into a digital story. Obviously there are exceptions where a musical piece wouldn’t fit but for the most part, I personally feel they should be added whenever possible.

            One of my favorite shows is Criminal Minds. This particular show uses a soundtrack that gets you right in your heart. The show is obviously depressing due to the nature of it but when a certain song comes on, mixed with the details of the show, my wife bursts out into tears. Music has such an effect on our emotions; there is an entire branch of phycology that studies music.

            Another aspect of music is rhythm. Rhythm is something that we all depend on. I had a band teacher once told me that “the steadiest beat was in your chest.” Rhythm is as essential to life as water. It is for that reason that music can help speed up or slow down your story. Even if the timing of the images or video has not been altered, a different tempo or rhythm of a song can give the illusion of time passing faster or slower.

            The goal of our story dictates the type of music we add. Instrumental, lyrical, rock, classical, there are so many types that I promise, you will be able to find something.

HIPPA in a Digital Age

           

 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This is a phrase shoved down the throats of everyone who works in my field. Because developmental disabilities are considered a medical issue, the individuals I serve are protected by HIPPA. What this means is that I can’t tell anyone the name of anybody who attend my programs. I also cannot show images of those who attend my program. I never cared because well, why would I go around talking about the people I served. However, when I started this class I had wanted to include them in my mobile story. The HIPPA officer stopped me at my job and she explained that I couldn’t. I asked why, and she presented me with a nice handout full of reasons. Essentially, digital media is something that can not be contained. Once something is on the Internet it is there forever. HIPPA breaches above a certain amount have to be presented to the federal government. Due to the very nature of the Internet, you can guarantee that at some point too many people will see it. All I can say is thank God I was stopped before committing a major breach.

Link to HIPPA information


I have included a link for anyone interested in this topic. Oh and remember, when it comes to HIPPA laws, what you don't know, CAN hurt you!


Photo from http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/

Outing myself in school projects

           When I was fist assigned a selfie video for my class I panicked. I had to ask myself the same question I ask myself for every class of every semester. Should I out myself. Its very easy for me to go through an entire class and never tell anyone that I am transgender. I just have to withhold that information. The issue is that being a trans man is so much a part of me that if I want to be truthful when speaking of myself I have to at some point out myself. I’ve noticed that this is much easier to do in online classes. When I am in a classroom I have to see these people for the entire semester and even though people usually aren’t disrespectful in a classroom setting, I am able to see their facial expressions and read their body language. Bottom line is, I can tell when they are judging me.

            I took a public speaking class last semester and the first assignment was an introduction speech. I had decided to not talk about being trans at all. I got all of five minutes into the assignments before I realized that it was almost impossible. I outed myself and was so happy I did. I then used to rest of my speech assignments to fight for LGBT rights.  The choice to out oneself is a personal one so I don’t want anyone feeling obligated; I am just sharing my opinions. 

Autobiographical Storytelling

Telling a story about oneself can be one of the most difficult things. Telling a fictional story or one in which you are removed from is simple because it allows you to focus on the story and not worry about what people think. The emphasis is put into the storyline and the digital process and not so much the details of your own life.

When a story calls for autobiographical content, it can be very difficult to know what to say. You want to be honest and truthful but at the same time you know that many people will hear this story and have opinions about you. It can also be extremely difficult for those with boring lives. Even with the best storytelling skills, a storyteller with no drama can suffer in today’s society. People love drama.  You can also be knocked for not being honest enough if you refuse to reveal certain parts of yourself.  I usually choose to be completely honest and am often met with praise for such. It makes me wonder what would be said if I were superficial and withheld my secrets.