Revised Philosophy/Premiere draft

Philosophy of Storytelling 

Story telling is an art form. A story, generally assumed to be composed of text, can be so much more than words, and may even contain not a single word. A story can be told vocally by a parent, with a children's story book in hand before bed time, just as it can be told completely silently by a complete stranger, with a very particular kind of pained expression in her eyes the instant just before she averts them.  

I believe a true story is never accurate.  In fact, I don't think accuracy can be a condition of a story whatsoever.  No two people will ever perceive the same story in the same manner, as one's perception is shaded by one's unique memories, thoughts, and feelings. One cannot listen to a story without forming associations, whether consciously or not, with his/her own experiences, just as one cannot listen to a story without forming opinions based on personal beliefs. Furthermore, what a person may glean from a story also depends on what is going on in his/her life at the time. One's mood at the time of hearing or viewing a story will highly influence the meaning he/she finds in it.  A story of a romantic connection might be alluring and hopeful to a person in love, while it is frustrating and depressing to one who recently lost it.

 The meaning one finds in a story is just as dependent on the story teller as it is on the listener. The "same story" can be told by two different people with different intentions and beliefs, which greatly affect the way it is passed along. Tone of voice, facial expressions, hand gestures, and even breathing patterns can be just as telling, if not more so, than the words being spoken. The story being told depends on the memories, thoughts, feelings, and associations of the teller just as it does on those of the listener. Similarly to the way a story's perception is affected by the personality of the listener, a true story cannot be told without containing some part of the person who tells it.

Furthermore, a story is told not only through explanation, but through representation; and there are various ways in which this expression can be achieved. The feelings or thoughts evoked by the imagery of an entrancing cloud of smoke swirling through a dark room can be just as telling as the verbal description of a general sense of serenity.  “A picture is worth a thousand words” is one of those cliched truths I can’t seem to detach myself from, particularly in terms of photography.  Capturing the tones of grey in an abandoned school building very well may be the only way to really capture a moment, a feeling, or even the thought of whatever lies behind those decrepit cement walls.  

Story telling is an ancient art, used for creating or supporting religious beliefs, impressing others (perhaps with a stretch of the truth), conveying a warning, or simply as a means of entertainment.  I believe storytelling is a lot of what connects humans, or at least makes us feel a sense of connectedness through mutual understanding.  It draws strongly upon the significance of memories, which are essentially the stories of our minds, based upon experiences.  

Home Video Footage Included:

“a stormy woods scene”

“candle being lit”

“watch close-up”

“eyes”