The Storyboard; a blog.

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Note: During the creative process for this exploration I found brainstorming with paper and pen more creative and through that process a handwritten storyboard was created and is what I preferred. The complete storyboard will be published under: Storyboard; the panels.

Story boards are used to construct the broad meaning of how a story will be told through graphic  elements, visual imagery and audio symbolism. A storyboard is a guide, a blueprint for the construction of meaning through the elemental layering and braiding of available technique in the telling of each unique story. The construction of meaning occurs through the use of still images enhanced by the use of voice-over narration, text graphics, editing and effects techniques, and audio layering. The layering and braiding of information with modalities to construct meaning occurs from the initial idea conception and storyboard through the design choices available as affordances in the software. The braiding of still images and audio recordings in my digital story are elements creating ideas of patriotism, military service experiences, and social philosophies to build a universal story of personal change that constructs meaning for viewers that show the bridge between military service and personal growth. Using images of the flag, military uniforms and audio playback of the national anthem is used to establish the idea of patriotism. Braiding is evident in the use of video track #2 to hold those higher ideals shown in the peace posters. Braid threads are three layers of video tracks and two layers of audio tracks. Layers interact with each other to make emphatic statements. Transitions and effects also interact and provide interesting movement to a scene and the overall story. Transitions were specifically  chosen for what they provided to telling the story, i.e. the rapid dissolves and cutting of the 1st drill sergeant scene show how the soldier is torn down and rebuilt, a universal concept for anyone in military service. The general use of quick cuts in the middle section provide the constant jarring motion that is part of the universal basic training experience. The use of the fade out is another technique used at points where the viewer is meant to linger upon the idea presented.

Script for Voice-over Narration

Ban the military that is what she had written on her paper. That is how She had answered the question.

Something she felt strongly about

Something she wanted to see changed

Social Studies a civic engagement lesson.

She was a 14 year old 8^th grader

she like all her other classmates had never known a time without war

her middle income classroom consisted of 10 white, 2 Asian, 3 African-American, 1 Turkish student and 2 unreported, Gender breakdown was 10 girls and 8 boys.  Her name was Maren and I understood her concerns, I had never lived during a time of peace either and I was four times her age, it broke my heart. But did she know what she was asking.
I had conflicted feelings about her comment, I had served. My father had served. Serving for me was bound with feelings of patriotism, pride of accomplishment and a sense of responsibility.

It is called a tour of duty, I never thought until now how incongruous those two words are together. My tour began thusly:

I received, what I have held as valuable my whole life was a great deal more than just money. And it all started like this.
What do you think this is soldier a vacation at Disneyland? U.S Army basic training, mine was 16 weeks of mostly terrifying rigid regimentation to the Army way. Did you shave this morning soldier. My knees knocking together in sheer terror as my voice creaked out a feeble yes drill sergeant the brim of his Smokey Bear hat hitting my forehead as he shouted at me. The drill sergeants rarely spoke and often yelled. I turned 20 years old in basic training, there was no cake, no stupid songs. It was exactly 38 years ago this Tuesday and some of the memories are as vivid as yesterday. I was never going to be a great soldier but I was a good one. I was going to be a Combat Engineer. I was going to learn how to build things and blow them up. A unique combination for which there is no civilian equivalent. I was going to wear the Engineer Castle. The insignia of an Army engineer. My specialty was Bridge Crewman, I would learn how to build bridges. But before then I would learn and accomplish things I couldn’t even dream. I would eat scrambled eggs packed in a can, I would learn how to kill and keep from being killed, I would learn that if I didn’t shave those three chin whiskers a drill sergeant would be in my face. And I would learn about pride in my accomplishments. I would learn what espirit de corps really means and that there is no greater team than the one you trust your life with. Did Maren know these things? Did she know the individual? Did she know how many men and women became the best versions of themselves when faced with the challenges of military service? I had always agreed with her premise of banning the military, there had never been a just war, just egos and brutality. Yet the best version of myself was forged on a remote Army base known as Fort Leonard Wood. Sixteen weeks just four months and I became a soldier, a potential unit of death. I was lucky I had never served in time of war. But I still learned how to fire a weapon, set a land mine, build bridges and work as a team. I learned things I’ve since forgotten and never forgot the thing that mattered the most, accomplishment. After climbing under barbed wire and over obstacles, after being sleep deprived to the point there was nothing left but adrenaline to hold my eyes open I learned what it means to be a part of something that was so much more than myself. After 16 arduous weeks May 16th finally came, graduation day, it was as is said the first day of the rest of my life, everyday there after was different, the experience made sure of that. I stood rigidly at attention the drill sergeant in front of me, the same one that had been shouting at me for the past four months making me a soldier, pinned that castle on the lapel of my dress uniform and the national anthem played I held back a tear of pride, my throat clenched and that was the day I became a soldier, a man, an adult that could face squarely and overcome decisively any challenge. I blinked the tear away with my shoulders back and my chest out proud.