Read this story of Anansi and Brother Death by Michael Auld.
Listen to these two modern storytellers:
If you are interested in hearing/watching some more modern storytellers, I have created a playlist here.
What were some of the things you noticed that these tellers did to try to engage you as an audience member? (comment below)
11 thoughts on “Modern Storytellers”
I noticed how both story tellers were very animated. There was a lot of talking with their hands, showing emotion and expressions lively through their faces and their hand gestures. Neither of them were monotone, talking vibrantly is crucial when story telling, that way they keep the audience’s attention.
In both videos the storytellers have found a balance of keeping the story moving along and keeping my attention while also keeping the various elements of the stories clear.
In the first video, the storyteller had music to accompany her, which adds another element to story by highlighting the dramatic pauses or where the storyteller was making a joke. She was also very animated, using different voices and body movements.
In the second video, the storyteller was very expressive in her storytelling and you can tell that she loves the story herself which drew me in because I wanted to know why she loves it so much
Am a person who likes audiobooks a lot. So for both videos for me where good. The first video had Audience and music which made it more interesting. The second video was more quiet and more detailed. Also she seems like she new what she was taking about and not juts tell the story. That what made me want to listen to her more. I have stopped listening to audiobook but now from both videos I remember how much I loved it and I missed it.
I have to agree with everyone about both story tellers being very animated and expressive in both emotions and body language. Their facial expressions and gestures deffinietly stood out. I really enjoyed how both of them changed the tone of their voice to represent different characters. Ferlatte told her story in a comical way and expressed her story with a lot of energy. I loved the sound effects she would make while having a dramatic expression. In the other hand, Schram was more solemm and chill which made me feel really realxed. Her tone made me feel like the the story is important for me to listen to.
In both video storytelling, I notice both were using different elements to tell their story with different voice tones. In the first video, “work like a woman” she was using different voices for different parts of the story. Another example was body language/movement. There was also music in the background. In the second video, “The Magic Pomegranate” you can tell by her voice that the story was interesting and you wanted to listen to know what had happened. Overall, I believe it is very important to tell a story in an interesting way for the audience to listen. A person that Tells stories has to tell it for the audience so they can imagine it. Taking them along with the high and low of the story.
What I noticed in both videos were how well the individuals were able to take control over their voice, and incorporate different tones and expressions to interoperate the words. They both knew how to make the story their own and keep the audience engaged and focused throughout.
Both storyteller used different techies to keep the audience interested and engaged with the story. I personally liked the facial expressions and body language as they told the story. I liked how the first story teller would change her voice deepening on if she was in the mans pot or the woman’s. I especially liked the second storytellers facial expressions. I believe eyebrows tell a great deal of how someone is feeling and is a great way to express emotions which she executed greatly.
These two storytellers have very different styles, but they both have a way of keeping an audience member engaged. In the first one I felt like the way her words were moving along with the music was so entertaining and kept us interested. The lights, her body movements, and the way her voice would change were also ways she kept us engaged. The second woman had the hand movements, facial expressions, voice alterations to keep the story alluring. It’s these strategies that keep the story going.
I noticed that both storytellers heavily relied on their facial expressions, tone, and inflection in their voices in order to keep us engaged. Additionally, both tellers seemed very comfortable and confident in their environment which rubbed off on me and kept me engaged. I really enjoyed Diane’s storytelling because she added movements to her words to help us better visualize what she is saying. Additionally, the musical accompaniment and lights emphasized the mood and intensity.
Both storytellers’ emotions and body language are highly expressive. To depict different characters, they each adjusted the tone of their voices. The first lady had music in the background and the second lady did not.