Digital storytelling as an emerging documentary form

Authors

  • Ana Luisa Sanchez-Laws Ph.d. Department of Information Science and Media Studies University of Bergen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7577/seminar.2426

Keywords:

digital storytelling, documentary theory, autobiographical documentary, first-person film, emergent media forms.

Abstract

This contribution presents the idea that digital storytelling can be fruitfully studied using concepts and perspectives from documentary theory. Two definitions of digital storytelling are analysed and compared to how documentary filmmaking has been characterized. From this comparison, it is possible to argue that digital storytelling works within a contextual contract similar to that of documentary filmmaking, especially in regard to the positioning of the audience and the media product. The study of digital storytelling might accordingly benefit from the ongoing discussions in documentary theory about authorial responsibility and claims of realism and truthfulness.

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Published

2010-11-21

How to Cite

Sanchez-Laws, A. L. (2010). Digital storytelling as an emerging documentary form. Seminar.net, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.7577/seminar.2426

Issue

Section

Articles