The Practice that was More Chat than Practice

I did a little more talking than storytelling today.

It seemed my story buddy, Joanna Huffaker, was in the same mood.

We usually split our time so Joanna has the first hour for her storytelling projects and then I have the second hour for my storytelling projects.

There are times when having the chance to be listened to is more important than practicing.

My eyebrows were a little furrowed when I discovered that the same night as my Family Famine: Hunger for Love premiere was another storytelling concert in the neighboring town.

I had made a huge effort to communicate my dates and times in the storytelling community so such a schedule conflict would not occur.

But it happened anyway.

I already knew that people would be split as to which concert to attend.

The other storytelling concert did start earlier than mine, but I wondered if it would end at a decent time so people could attend both if they chose.

My posters and postcards had been printed and mostly distributed so I could not make my own concert later in the evening.

When about 15 minutes was left of my 1-hour time, then I rushed to at least tell The Changeling story once.

Being rushed has a way to affect the storytelling quality, and this time was no different.

My telling of The Changeling was not as good as last week, but it was understandable given my worries.

But alas, the show must go on.

And on with the show must be hope.

Things will work out how they need to in the end.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Telephone Practice: Not Same as Live. . .But Doable

Sometimes someone goes out of town and the ideal in-person practices must change to another way: the telephone.

Since storytelling is based on more than voice, certain parts of the practice could not be critiqued such as body language, gestures, or facial expressions.

Besides these components, I could not interact with my story buddy/audience, Holly Robison, during the telling itself. Though Holly did harmonize a couple song with me so she was more a performing artist than audience for this story.

I recorded the whole telephone conversation with my mp3 recorder. In fact, I recorded every version of "The Gardener's Wife" so to be more aware of the evolution of the story.

Unfortunately, the cell phone is not the best way to practice, especially when singing with a partner is involved.

It seemed like I was the only one singing when the places called for it. Holly said she sung so I believe she did.

However, cell phones tend to delay your response--even if it is by a mili-second--but it can make a difference when singing in harmony!

The story was about 42 minutes long and I knew that with time the story would really be about 30-35 minutes in length.

It is better to have "too much" in the beginning so then there is room to get to its essence when it is show time.

After telling the piece, we discussed where would be the best places for Holly's help in harmonizing.

I added some moments for her to "oooo" the lullaby tune when the Girl went on the Quest to find her Two Brothers.

I am anxious to see Holly in-person and practice this story again.

Nothing can compare to the "live" performance!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Storytelling Delivery: "Way" South to "Way" North

My "way" south adventures started with the Utah Arts Council in Salt Lake City as I wanted to give Family Famine: Hunger for Love postcards.

The UAC was so important to me that I gave a postcard to every single staff member. Being a state-wide organization, that meant twenty-three people.
Yes, I signed and wrote a note for each one of them.

Then I traveled south and delivered posters and postcards (which also served as fliers) to the Pleasant Grove, Provo, and Orem libraries.

I was thrilled when the Pleasant Grove and Provo libraries offered to give a postcard to each staff member.

The Provo Library alone had over 100 people.

Since the Covey Center for the Arts is located in Provo, this was perfect!

To add to the travel adventures, I headed way north to attend the Ogden School District Storytelling Festival. Not only was I one of the judges for the youth tellers, but I was also allowed to advertise for the premiere. I also could not resist in having my Cub Scouts attend as a field trip. It is always wonderful for youth to see other youth tell stories.

In case you were wondering, "way north" from Provo translates to about 80 miles distance.

Good thing I can practice stories while driving!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Forsaken Brother: The Best Practice Ever

After such a pitiful practice of the Forsaken Brother story yesterday, I hoped that performing for the Utah Storytelling Guild Olympus Chapter would be different.

It was.

Completely.

The emotions were there. The flow of the story was there. Even the Nanabozho and Winter-Maker story within Forsaken Brother was upbeat and gave the needed lift needed during this sad story.

Guild members complimented me on the story and there was a buzz as people planned to attend the premiere.

I told them, "Wait until you hear Joshua Payne, who plays the guitar, and Geoffrey Rayback, who plays the upright bass. They will provide soundscapes to heighten the emotions."

That had the buzz return from the guild members.

I told everyone about my "bad" practice yesterday in contrast to this "best yet" practice.

We guessed that part of the difference was that I work better with larger audiences than one or two people.

Since I meet with Julie Barnson, my story buddy for Forsaken Brother, once a week, I may have been too accustomed to her when practicing.

Whatever the reason, I had hope that "Hey, if I do this well or better at the premiere, I got it!"

With people still talking about the premiere, this was when I asked, "I could use some help the night of the premiere. Could someone be the Cookie Coordinator? Could someone be the Ribbon Coordinator?"

Julie Barnson volunteered to be Cookie Coordinator. She would connect with Utah Storytelling Guild members to find out what kinds of cookies they would bring to the premiere.

Sharee Hughes volunteered to be Ribbon Coordinator. She would provide blue ribbons to be pinned on any guild member in attendance of the premiere. This way the general public could recognize other storytellers besides me on that night.

Why blue ribbons?

It is not one of the official colors of the guild, but it is a color associated with child abuse prevention. Since The Changeling story indirectly addresses child abuse, I thought this was appropriate.

As for the guild, can you feel the love from them? I can!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Nail Biter: Poster Drop-Offs are not Book Drop-Offs

Little by little the Family Famine: Hunger for Love posters were being dropped off at the libraries.

I still had the Salt Lake City Library (5 branches) and the Salt Lake County Library (18 branches) to go.

Whether for the City or for the County, once the main branch approves the posters, then they are forwarded to the other branches.

That meant I had to make a good impression.

However, when I arrived to each of the two main branches for the City and for the County, no one was around.

I prefer to give posters to the person who makes the decision. So now I was the one who had to make a decision.

Do I drop off the posters and hope that they are approved and hung?

Even with the "Sponsored in part by the Utah Storytelling Guild" stickers, I wondered how strict these places were on hanging posters.

I felt pretty confident the posters would circulate for the Salt Lake County Libraries since I had performed for various branches. I still do perform for many of them.

As for the City, I had no idea what to expect.

The receptionist lady at the City Library said that if the posters were not approved, then the person simply chucked the posters into the trashcan.

I did not want that, especially as I spent so much money to have the lovely posters in the first place.

Dare I put faith in a note accompanying the posters to explain the connection of this premiere to my Storytelling Masters as well as the support from the nonprofit Utah Storytelling Guild?

In case it would help, I wrote on the note that if, by chance, the posters were not approved, then I would like a chance to pick up the posters and find other homes for them.

For both the City and the County Libraries, I dropped off the posters and walked away.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

"Technical Difficulties" with Online Orders. . .and Some Help

For a long time I have had a Paypal account.

Until the possibility of this Family Famine: Hunger for Love DVD, I had little use for the account.

Then, I raked my brain for my password and explored the Paypal website.

It was time to create a "Buy Now" button to place on my two blogs: Family Famine: Hunger for Love and Voice--A Storyteller's Lifestyle.

Eventually, a code was given that I was to copy and paste into the layout of each of my blogs.

I announced the ability to pre-order the DVD on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Professional Storyteller social network site.

Luckily, I received a message from Tim Ereneta. He had attempted to order a copy but something was wrong with the "Buy Now" button.

I called someone from Paypal, got it figured out, copied a new code, and pasted them in their spots.

Thank you, Tim, for the heads up!

Now everything is in working order.

Talking about "order", have you ordered your copy yet?

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Rescued: Overcoming the Pain of Press Releases

Sometimes the word "press release" brings upon the theme music from "Jaws".

It is one thing to write a press release to fit a page and meet the criteria. It is quite another painful experience to determine who to send the press release for the best results.

Then, through Facebook, I learned about Utah News Source. It is a company that keeps current with which reporters write which kind of stories. They give guidelines on what is needed in the press release and send the press release on your behalf.

So someone could rescue me from the shark!

Utah New Source barely started their group on Facebook on Friday, January 9th when I discovered it a few days later. (Today is January 13th!)

Of course, for this kind of service there was a fee. I gladly paid it. My time was more precious to save than some money.

It cost $50.00.

I paid $20.00 more so the press release could also be shared through social networking sites like Facebook, Digg, etc.

My grand total was $70.00.

This is what my press release looked like--

Family Famine: Hunger for Love, a world premiere storytelling concert addresses social concerns

Storyteller Rachel Hedman presents “Family Famine: Hunger for Love” a world premiere storytelling concert, Monday, February 9, 2009 from 8:00 - 9:30 pm. at Covey Center for the Arts, Grand Theater at 425 W. Center St. in Provo, UT.

The concert addresses social concerns and is sponsored in part by the Utah Storytelling Guild, a nonprofit group.

Audience: Minimum age 8, geared for 12-year-olds+ due to themes, program expects to tour worldwide mainly at educational venues from upper elementary to universities as well as other venues similar to Covey Center for the Arts.

"Sometimes the best way to approach sensitive concerns like child abuse and abandonment is through a multicultural tale. It takes us away from the here and now so we can think of people or situations that seem familiar in the present-day," says Hedman.

Hedman will share multicultural tales from Ireland, the Ojibwa nation, and Colombia. The Irish one is storytelling with a mix of personal reflection while the others are enhanced by music like songs sung as duet with Holly Robison for the Colombian piece.

A guitar can howl like a wolf with Joshua Payne, guitarist. Payne will be joined by Geoff Rayback, upright bass player, to create soundscapes for the Ojibwa piece.

Hedman's cousin, Kristen Lorensen, discovered in 2005 that there may be a family history link to the Ojibwa people. Lorensen mailed an Ojibwa story “Forsaken Brother” to Hedman, which she clung to until Elizabeth Ellis, her Storytelling Masters professor from East Tennessee State University, assigned the “My Finest Hour” project in August 2008. That was when Hedman started her blog.

Already people in Utah and worldwide have followed the story development process and marketing through almost daily posts.

Tickets: $10.00 general admission, $5.00 student/senior*, $5.00 for groups of 15+* ***Discount prices available only by phone or in person.

Call (801) 852-7007 or go to www.coveycenter.org for more info.

Contact: Rachel Hedman, Director/Featured Storyteller

Phone: (801) 870-5799

Email: info@rachelhedman.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website/Blog: http://www.coveycenter.org and http://familyfamine.blogspot.com

Other People of Interest: Elizabeth Ellis (national teller from Texas/guest emcee), Joshua Payne (guitarist), Geoff Rayback (upright bass player), Holly Robison (singer). Contact information for them can be given at request

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Forsaken Brother: Little Prep equals Bad Practice

I had a late night, and it showed when I attempted to practice the Forsaken Brother story.

We seem to be able to smile regardless of the outcome.

Little sleep and little time to go over my notes for the story meant I was ill prepared. I felt guilty since Joshua Payne, the guitarist, was there to work with me.

Last week's practice for this same story was wonderful.



It is amazing how each practice has different levels of success.

Joshua was kind to say that today's practice "was still helpful".

Hmmm.

At least it revealed, for me, that my "spiral of death" for this story was when I came to the Nanabozho and Winter-Maker story, which is told within the Forsaken Brother story.

My story buddy, Julie Barnson, and I agreed that since Forsaken Brother is sad, the Nanabozho story needs to be more upbeat and told in a more fairy tale style.

Even sad stories need a time of hope within them.

This is the one moment when we see the boy--the sickly boy--happy. He remembers a story that his father told many times.

Next week I will be better prepared when I meet with Joshua Payne and Julie Barnson.

That means I better take more time to sleep the night before!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Posters: Not So Easy to Hang Up These Days

It can be hard to hang up a poster.

Oh, the actual lifting of the poster and taping it to a wall is not the issue.

It is if the location allows the poster to be hung in the first part.

Some places said "no" to me even though the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" Premiere was connected to my Storytelling Masters project. I thought the education part would be on my side.

Then, I pondered how I was a member of the Utah Storytelling Guild. That is a nonprofit group and places tended to be more open about hanging items from a nonprofit.

I called Wendy Gourley, the president of the guild, and described my situation. She said that she would be happy for the event to be sponsored in part by the guild. I took the USG logo and printed it on gold stickers.

The funny part is that I may receive more attention to the posters with the sticker than if the "Sponsored in part by the Utah Storytelling Guild" was printed directly on the posters.

I drove to the Covey Center for the Arts to hang some of these posters. I also traveled to several libraries in the Utah County, especially since I had my official guild stickers in tow.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

"Lights, Camera, Action": Finding the Right Film Company

Thanks to Stephen and Teresa Gashler, owners of Gashler Media, in granting permission to post their picture and logo.

I searched online for the right company to film "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" and eventually I came upon Gashler Media.

Google was my search engine of choice and I used phrases such as "Utah videography" or "Utah filming company" and other similar words.

The listings usually changed my original search to "Utah wedding videography".

I laughed at the results, as what was I to expect from a state that had the most weddings anywhere in the nation. . .perhaps even in the world? Add to this that my premiere would be in Provo, the capital of marriages due to the closeness of Brigham Young University. There were many choices of filming companies.

Then, one by one, I googled specific companies that came from the online search. If I did not like their website (or if no website could be found), then I crossed them off my list.

I was suprised how many of the filming companies had a simple directory listing on wedding sites but nothing else to explain their services.

Finally, I found Gashler Media.

I liked the website, especially as there were samples of their work. I was intrigued when their site stated that "We will only produce family-friendly content (G or PG-rated) and nothing of a sensual, pornographic, violent, hateful, rude, irreverant, profane, obscene, deceitful or manipulative nature."

That made me wonder the rating for my premiere. Was it PG? I did place the minimum audience age to eight, though the stories were geared for twelve-year-olds and older. What did that mean?

It was helpful that Stephen and Teresa, the owners of Gashler Media, had pricing.

I noticed that for three cameras--as I wanted different angles--it would be $1000.

That would fit within my budget.

I called Stephen and scheduled a time today to meet the two of them to see if we might work together.

They requested that I bring a list of desired shots for the premiere.

Here are the Desired Shots--

"Before I Come on Stage" Shots

• Some set-up, putting up the booth in the hallway, or other ambiance footage like the empty theatre, wooden paneling, stage, etc.
• People taking their seats and chatting with each other
• Close up of Elizabeth Ellis, emcee
• Shots of my husband, Mom, Dad, and brother in the front row as Elizabeth acknowledges their presence
• My sister could not make it from Wisconsin so directing the auidence to look at one of the cameras and say, "We love you, Care!"
• Shots of some storytellers wearing blue ribbons
• Close up of Elizabeth Ellis and then pan out to see the whole stage when I come out

"The Changeling"--First Story Shots

• Audience reactions mixed with panned out and close-ups to include full-body shots and some close-ups of the face
• Close-ups of the three neighbors/characters--Mrs. O'Malley, Mrs. Flanagan, and Mrs. Lynch

"Forsaken Brother"--Second Story Shots

• Begin with close-ups of the upright bass and the guitar, as there will be a bit of "soundscapes" before I begin
• Audience reactions mixed with panned out and close-ups to include full-body shots and some close-ups of the face
• Mix of solo storytelling shots (me), duo shots (Geoff Rayback on bass and Joshua Payne on guitar), and trio shots (all three of us)
• Reference to eyes--how father's eyes are like the boy's eyes--so shots can reflect this reference
• In editing--quick shots between me and the instruments during climax (when brother spots boy on shore and tries to reach him before the boy transforms into a wolf)

Transition between Second and Third Stories

• Close-up of me to close-up of brother as I surprise him by having the audience sing "Happy Birthday" a day early

"The Gardener's Wife"--Third Story Shots

• Audience reactions mixed with panned out and close-ups to include full body shots and some close-ups of the face
• Mix of solo storytelling shots (me) and solo singing shots (when I sing alone and when Holly Robison sings alone), and duo shots when Holly and I harmonize
• Shots of audience when I welcome them to sing the lullaby, especially the first time
• Close-ups and full-body shots during singing of lullaby and of the grieving/pleading song

Recognition after the Program on Stage Shots

• When all performing artists and the emcee come on stage to applause

Celebration/Mingling Shots

• General buzz shots as people get up from their seats
• People eating cookies and treats
• With the buzz and talk, to have family reactions, Elizabeth Ellis and any volunteers who want to share what they thought (interview style)

What would also be Nice

• If I transcribe the performance, could closed captioning be chosen to be on or off?
• Audio commentary after it is done? To include story buddies and guest artists?
• Add American Sign Language interpreter on the corner while actual film is running of the live show?

I knew I had found the right company in Gashler Media when Stephen and Teresa told me that the closed captioning, audio commentary, and the ASL could be added without changing the $1000 fee.

So now on premiere day could be called out, "Lights, Camera, Action!"

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller