Storytelling with flash: turning "effects" into meaning

I found in the Creative Behavior site, this article written by Paul Ortchanian. Paul Ortchanian is Senior Interface Designer/ Developer and creator of reflektions.com – research in new media storytelling.

Recipe for good storytelling with flash

Here is a simple recipe for good storytelling with flash:

1. Establish emotional atmosphere: storytelling with flash is describing and then narrating. It’s about creating a mood to psychologically “immerse” the user.

2. Narrate through interactivity : interactivity is not a choice, it's a willingness to construct. The story is built on how the user relates to the environment on the page.

3. Minimize useless Navigation: In order to truly communicate your message, you need to eliminate useless vocabulary from your page. Navigation is the biggest annoyance. From site to site, users need to understand the intricacies of abstract navigation systems. Ask yourself; what is the true content? What is the user’s interest?

In Conclusion, one must not forget that above all, ATTITUDE is the basis of storytelling. Think about it as telling a story to a 5 year old child before he goes to bed. The story might be written on the pages of the book you are reading, yet without Imagination, Amazement, Magic, Energy, Feeling, Interactivity, Emotion and Creativity….you’ll never get to astound your 5 year old. The same goes with storytelling with flash, above the complex Action Scripting, animation tweenings, design and flash intricacies, storytelling with flash is a question of having the right ATTITUDE.

Example: Colors Magazine Issue 44 : Choi Hung