Dengue mosquito

SYNOPSIS: People who have been affected by dengue fever or Ross river fever share their story about the experience.

RATIONALE: Dengue fever and Ross River fever affects people living in and visiting tropical areas of the world including North Queensland. People want to know more about this potentially fatal mosquito-transmitted disease and how to prevent infection. People who have been affected by dengue fever have stories to share.

TARGETED STORY CONTRIBUTORS: This story would require victims of mosquito related diseases, researchers and scientists to tell their stories.

HOW TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY: Create awareness of the project through radio announcements, hospitals, universities, health centres, social media networks and internet communities. During the summer season dengue is a hot topic.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR STORY DEVELOPMENT: This story may require interacting with story contributors in their own home and in areas where mosquitoes may be present, therefore mosquito repellant, appropriate clothing, and a 4WD is required if contributors live in remote areas. For the process of creating a story from idea to finished product please see my storytelling skills page.

DELIVERABLES AND STORY DISTRIBUTION: This story can be displayed on a blog and on social media networks using different types of digital media. Text, image, audio and video media created in the form of viral and liquid content and linking to the ABC Open blog, can be made available for interested and targeted audiences to link and/or embed into their own websites, blogs and social media platforms (such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, etc.) and include maps of dengue hot zones.

TARGETED AUDIENCES: Regional, national and international audiences including travellers to the tropics, school children, health organisations, etc.

ADDITIONAL USER GENERATED CONTENT: Audiences may choose to add their own content to the blog/social network relating to dengue fever, including pictures of mosquito larvae in their area and different ideas for how to prevent being bitten by a dengue mosquito (like wearing light coloured clothing).

SUGGESTED CATEGORIES/KEYWORDS: Science, health, insects, dengue, mosquitoes…

CONTACTS TO POTENTIAL STORY CONTRIBUTORS: Jeff and Pat are a local couple who were affected by and survived dengue fever. They proudly tell me they have mastered sending and receiving emails and that ‘using computers isn’t that scary when you get the hang of it.’ Both are enthusiastic about learning how to creating and upload multimedia stories, especially if they can share stories with friends and family. We talked about dengue mosquitoes and recorded our conversation using the microphone of a camera. Next, I will teach them how to edit their story and prepare it for uploading to the internet.

Jeff and Pat, dengue survivors.

Listen to a raw recording of their story: Getting Bitten excerpt.

INTERESTING LINKS: Recent ABC report, QLD health, wikipedia.

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The rise of the Green Voter

SYNOPSIS: Over the years people have become more aware of our impact on the environment and this awareness permeates many aspects of our society including decision making when voting for government. This story explores the increase in numbers of environmentally-conscious voters and why this is happening.

RATIONALE: People are interested in Green Voter’s in rural areas especially regarding people who vote Green in agricultural and mining-based electorates.

TARGETED STORY CONTRIBUTORS: This story would require a mix of contributors including the general public, politicians, environmental scientists and industry members to tell their stories.

HOW TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY: Create awareness of the project through radio announcements and messages to agriculture and mining communities, members of electorate divisions, universities, social media networks and environmentally focussed internet communities.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR STORY DEVELOPMENT: This story may require a combination of audio interviews (podcasts are efficient to produce and protect the identity of the contributor/voter) and a forum or blog for live debates as a community of contributors would add strength and integrity to the story. A workshop may need to be held in agricultural and mining areas to educate people how to develop and contribute media for this story. For the process of creating a story from idea to finished product please see my storytelling skills page.

DELIVERABLES AND STORY DISTRIBUTION: This story can be displayed on a blog and debated on social media networks using different types of digital media. Text and audio media will allow contributors to share their opinions anonymously. Video and image media created in the form of viral and liquid content and linking to the ABC Open blog, can be made available for interested and targeted audiences to link and/or embed into their own websites, blogs and social media platforms (such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, etc.) prompting interaction with the story.

TARGETED AUDIENCES: Regional and national audiences who are politically and environmentally aware.

ADDITIONAL USER GENERATED CONTENT: Audiences may choose to add their own content to the blog/forum social network relating to green voters and environmental politics and could include discussions about policies, myths and more.

SUGGESTED CATEGORIES/KEYWORDS: Green votes, politics, environment, triple bottom line…

CONTACTS TO POTENTIAL STORY CONTRIBUTORS: We could begin by contacting Jenny Stirling (Federal Senate for the Greens) or Dr Mike Rubenach (Federal Electorate for the Greens) in the Herbert electorate.

INTERESTING LINKS: Wilderness Society News, Herbert Electorate (Greens)…

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Celia Berrell, Science Rhymes

SYNOPSIS: Celia Berrell is on a mission to impart science knowledge through rhyming verse. A poet, a teacher and an entertainer wrapped in one neat package.

RATIONALE: Parents and teachers are always seeking creative ways to educate their children. Subjects such as science, maths and physics delivered in an entertaining format help children remember facts.

TARGETED STORY CONTRIBUTORS: This story would require Celia Berrell and others who use creative forms of media to teach maths and science to share her story.

HOW TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY: Create awareness of the project through radio announcements, writing groups, schools, social media networks and internet communities.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR STORY DEVELOPMENT: This story requires interacting with Celia Berrell, helping her put together different media used to tell her story. For the process of creating a story from idea to finished product please see my storytelling skills page.

DELIVERABLES AND STORY DISTRIBUTION: This story can be displayed on a blog and on social media networks using different types of digital media. Text, image, audio and video media created in the form of viral and liquid content and linking to the ABC Open blog, can be created and made available for interested and targeted audiences to link and/or embed into their own websites, blogs and social media platforms (such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, etc.)

TARGETED AUDIENCES: Regional, national and international audiences including school children, other poets, writer’s groups, etc.

USER GENERATED CONTENT: Audiences may choose to add their own content to the blog/social network relating to educating children through creative writing.

SUGGESTED CATEGORIES/KEYWORDS: Science, poetry, education…

CONTACTS TO POTENTIAL STORY CONTRIBUTORS: Celia Berrell.

INTERESTING LINKS: Science Rhymes.

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Mr and Mrs Military

SYNOPSIS: This story explores what it’s like to be a spouse of a soldier, or even a police officer, where loved ones can be put in life threatening situations?

RATIONALE: Because North Queensland has a large military base Mr and Mrs Military would encourage contributors from the region to produce stories showing an insight into the lives of Australians at war. And because the topic of war and family is continually debated around the world this story idea would generate interest from regional, national and international audiences to interact on a hotly debated topic.

TARGETED STORY CONTRIBUTORS: This story would require families with members who work in the military to share their stories.

HOW TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY: Create awareness of the project through radio announcements, and contacting military bases, armed services support groups, veterans groups, RSL, social media networks and internet communities.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR STORY DEVELOPMENT: This story may require interacting with storytellers in their own home. Although the key values of the ABC are honesty, fairness, independence and respect, this story may be screened by the Australian Defence Force and particular story contributors may not disclose all facts for their story. For the process of creating a story from idea to finished product please see my storytelling skills page.

DELIVERABLES AND STORY DISTRIBUTION: This story can be displayed on a blog and on social media networks using different types of digital media. Text, image, audio and video media created in the form of viral and liquid content and linking to the ABC Open blog, can be created and made available for interested and targeted audiences to link and/or embed into their own websites, blogs and social media platforms (such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, etc.)

TARGETED AUDIENCES: Regional, national and international audiences especially those whose family is involved with the military.

USER GENERATED CONTENT: Audiences may choose to add their own content to the blog/social network relating to life in the military and life as a member of a family whose members may be in the military. Politicians and peace-activists may also generate content.

SUGGESTED CATEGORIES/KEYWORDS: Military, army, families affected by war…

CONTACTS TO POTENTIAL STORY CONTRIBUTORS: We could begin by contacting the army base and the local RSL.

INTERESTING LINKS: Australian military families.

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Cyclone season

SYNOPSIS: Experts are tipping this cyclone season to be the most destructive. What do people think about the cyclone season? What stories do people have about their experiences with cyclones and how are they preparing for this season?

RATIONALE: Every few years major cyclones threaten the livelihoods of Australians. This story may help audiences understand what people go through who live in a cyclone prone region and share different ideas and experiences of how to prepare for and survive cyclones.

TARGETED STORY CONTRIBUTORS: This story would require any person in the regional community to share their stories about their experiences with cyclones.

HOW TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY: Create awareness of the project through radio announcements, community newspapers, social media networks and internet communities.

PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR STORY DEVELOPMENT: This story may require interacting with storytellers in their own home. Archival footage and photographs would add greatly to the story and audio recordings will help portray the destructive nature and experience of being caught in a cyclone.  For the process of creating a story from idea to finished product please see my storytelling skills page.

DELIVERABLES AND STORY DISTRIBUTION: This story can be displayed on a blog and on social media networks using different types of digital media. Text, image, audio and video media created in the form of viral and liquid content and linking to the ABC Open blog, can be created and made available for interested and targeted audiences to link and/or embed into their own websites, blogs and social media platforms (such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, etc.)

TARGETED AUDIENCES: Regional, national and international audiences, including people and groups interested in storms and weather.

USER GENERATED CONTENT: Audiences may choose to add their own content to the blog/social network relating to storms and weather. Links to meteorology sites and sites with tales of survival will add to the online community.

SUGGESTED CATEGORIES/KEYWORDS: Cyclones, storms, weather…

CONTACTS TO POTENTIAL STORY CONTRIBUTORS: Every neighbour seems to have a story about a cyclone experience. There is also a farming family near Innisfail that experienced the full force of Cyclone Larry, who may share their story.

INTERESTING LINKS: Bureau of meteorology, Australia’s worst cyclones, Cyclone maps for the Southern Hemisphere, How to prepare for a cyclone.

VOTE:

RATIONALE: Australian youth have dreams inspired by sporting and music heros, politicians and their parents. Australian seniors have memories, some of the best and worst times in life. This story contrasts the passion of youth with the wisdom of age – two elements of life that often come crashing together during the mid-life crisis.

NOTES: It would be interesting to get grandparents to interview their grandchildren about their dreams and grandchildren to interview their grandparents about their memories. For further information email: mick@mickstyle.com

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RATIONALE: Regional towns are growing to a point where the local community often debates whether or not to install a train system or light rail like in metropolitan areas. There are also old train stations still present in North Queensland towns, each with it’s own history.

NOTES: For further information email: mick@mickstyle.com

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RATIONALE: Australia is known for it’s dangerous animals. Many documentaries are made about them and enjoyed by viewers around the world, but how much do the locals really know? What local stories about snakes and spiders and jellyfish are out there? Scientists want people to be aware of their work and the venoms animals sharing the neighbourhood. Members of the community are usually always interested in this topic.

NOTES: For further information email: mick@mickstyle.com

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EXAMPLE: During the original round of offers for ABC Open regional producer I asked Dr Jamie Seymour if he would like to create a story about Irukandji jellyfish. After having a chat and recording an interview Jamie supplied photos and I put together a series of videos about Irukandji.

RATIONALE: The number of coffee drinkers increase every year. Cafe’s are popping up everywhere and people are becoming fussy about the types of beans used and what makes a ‘good cup of coffee’.

NOTES: For further information email: mick@mickstyle.com

VOTE:

RATIONALE: Whales often feature in marine documentaries and tourists come from all over the world to see whales off the coast of Queensland. International debate about whaling hits the headlines every year. It would be great to see a contributor share their personal and intimate point of view on this topic.

NOTES: I have contacts with the Minke research team. For further information email: mick@mickstyle.com

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