Crafting Compelling Stories: A Hands-On Visual Storytelling Workshop
Wednesday, September 3, 2025: 9-4pm | Location: Main Library, Room 314 (1408 West Gregory Dr., Urbana)
Facilitated by:
Amanda Rubin, Documentary Filmmaker, Journalist, and 35th Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecturer (“The THIRD REICH OF DREAMS: Hallucinations, Literary Imagination, and (Un)conscious Archives” – read more library.illinois.edu/mortenson/lectures/)
Description:
At this visual storytelling workshop, Amanda Rubin, documentary filmmaker, journalist and independent scholar, will introduce students, academics and community members to visual storytelling skills and methods, including storyboarding, mood boarding, and writing scripts, as well as working with and adapting archival materials. She will lead off the workshop by discussing the documentary she’s making on Charlotte Beradt, author of The Third Reich of Dreams (2025) to inspire participants to communicate their research, professional, and creative interests through powerful visual narratives.
WHO: Students, academics and community members.
PURPOSE: Elevate participants’ research, professional and creative practice through visual narratives.
WHAT: Introduce participants to visual storytelling skills and methods, including storyboarding, mood boarding, and writing scripts, as well as working with and adapting archival materials.
OPTIONAL: PCs will be available, and personal laptops are welcome. Some knowledge of video editing software like DaVinci Resolve would be helpful. Although not necessary, you’re encouraged to download https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve and familiarize yourself with editing software in advance.
TAKE-AWAY: Participants will leave with the ability to use visual methods to craft compelling stories about their research, professional or creative interests.
To learn more about the Lecture and related activities Amanda Rubin is presenting, please visit our website: library.illinois.edu/mortenson/lectures/.