[Culturetalk] Place Stories

[Derek Cleland]

Bula Everyone

I attended a presentation last week on this communication tool called Place Stories and wanted to share.

Basically,
it is a a way to put digital images and sounds (music, voice) together
to create short stories and then publish these on the internet linked
to a map. You can also take the stories and put them on your own
website or burn them to CD for presentations at public events.  

A
very simple idea that just brings together different elements that
already exist to make a powerful and simple communication tool which
allows individuals, groups, organisations and communities to make and
electronically publish their own stories, in their own voices.

Using
still images means it is much simpler then trying to create a movie or
film documentary.  And doesn't require expensive equipment.  All you
need is a computer, internet access, a digital camera and a digital
recorder (such as a skype headset or the microphone built in to most
computers)

The
software/website was initially designed for indigenous communities in
remote areas of Australia and has a strong community focus. It is also
being trialled by the Australia Council as a tool for Australian arts
organisations and artists. It is also being used in Cambodia and the
USA.

The software to create the stories is free, membership of
the website is free. Charges only come for training to use the software
(which is not complicated) and setting up your own virtual community on
the website (if you want one).  Once people are trained they can train
others, and in Australia groups use this as a way of generating revenue.

At
the presentation there was talk of creating a virtual "Pacific
Community" for all in the Pacific, most groups there (mainly the
environmental NGOs and SOPAC) were very keen on the idea.  I can see
huge scope for this in the cultural sector for our artists and
communities to tell their own stories and reach a wide audience and for
grassroots organisations to promote their work.

If
support for the idea can be generated and the minimal funding required
to get it off the ground then everyone benefits and individuals,
communities and groups without resources don't need to pay money they
can't afford. 

More details can be found on the Place Stories website (www.placestories.com)

The presentation was organised by Taholo Kami,
regional director of the IUCN Oceania Office and it was presented by
Kevin Guy (kevin at feralarts.com.au) of the Australian organisation Feral
Arts who develop the software and manage the website.

vinaka all for your time
Derek


      
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.spc.int/pipermail/culturetalk_lists.spc.int/attachments/20090907/17352fb8/attachment.html>