I’ve been a student of storytelling ever since I became an editor. I’ve come across a lot of different books through out the year and there are about five of them that have deeply influenced how I tell story through my videos. I’ve written on my blog quotes from the books and why these books have such an impact on my life and the work I create.
Here are my top 5 favorite books about how to tell a story.
1. Story by Robert McKee
We all have stories inside us and sometimes sharing them takes courage and honesty. There is no telling the power a story can have on the listener.
2. In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch
“What they finally remember is not the editing, not the camera work, not the performances, not even the story-it’s how they felt.”
3. The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film by Micheal Ondaatje
“Every shot is a thought or a series of thoughts, expressed visually. When a thought begins to run out of steam, that the point at which you cut.”
4. Imagine How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer
“There’s no such thing as a creative type. As if creative people can just show up and make stuff up. As if it were that easy. I think people need to be reminded that creativity is a verb, a very time-consuming verb. It’s about taking an idea in your head, and transforming that idea into something real. And that’s always going to be a long and difficult process. If you’re doing it right, it’s going to feel like work.” – Milton Glaser, graphic designer, creator of “I (heart) NY”
5. Writing Television Sitcoms by Evan S. Smith
Learning how many times a script is re-written before they go in production help me at work prepare to share drafts with other. Feed back is gold! I’ve always been the artist that would say, “Don’t look, its not done!” When I started to ask my co-workers to view my work and tell me what they think I would get very insightful help. Usually they would pin point what wasn’t working.
Moniemuse 