Revised Philosophy of Storytelling-Andrew Moul

A story is a picture; although instead of using pixels or paints, we use words to convey a message, meaning, or happening. From the moment we learn to talk, until the day we take our final breath, we all tell stories. But let’s not forget the listener. They are just as important, if not more than the teller of the story itself. For the story has already had a chance to leave an impression on the teller, but with every listener, the story has a new opportunity to leave an impression, good or bad, on someone else.

In kindergarten, we are given paper, three primary color paints, and a brush, to create a fridge worthy masterpiece. We may be asked to paint our favorite thing or place, or we may be asked to show our family members and pets. In this simple case, we can now share a piece of ourselves with our classmates. Through this, by using our limited range of skills, we can find similarities or differences, and build friendships and connections by illustrating a story. Our story.

In high school, we enter the art room with a set of new experiences and lessons that a few years ago, we never would have dreamt of. In our first assignment, we are given boxes of prisma colored pencils to express a thought, or a feeling towards something about which we are most passionate. Once completed, these drawings may be hung around the school so the others may share in our passions. Through shading, color choices, and patterns, we can more deeply and with greater complexity, communicate our ideas. Our story.

Once we have graduated, we get jobs and go about our business as contributing adults to society. On weekends, we have spare time which we occupy with visits to movies, restaurants, and the occasional museum. At the museum of art, we have a chance to see marvelous works that portray events, common everyday objects, and people. These pieces on display afford us a glimpse into someone else’s story. We get a chance to listen and learn from their experiences. Their story.

After a life of work, we have the opportunity to retire, and live our remaining years in peace and relaxation. By this point in our lives, we have seen many pictures. Some of which are ours, and some of which belong to others. And it is this time at which we are given a choice of as to whether we share these pictures with others, or if we keep them to ourselves. Do we allow them to impact the life of someone else? Do we open our albums, our picture frames, and our wallets to share our pictures? For remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. Our story.

In my project, I try to illustrate my thoughts as I play the piano. In an effort to help facilitate this, I am going to use pictures and images of my favorite things (to go along with the song I’m playing). These pictures and images will help me to tell my story. My original footage and pictures are those of my piano at home.