Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common queries about Highland Lives and digital storytelling.

What makes a good story?
Stories that are personal to you are often the best as you'll know who to talk to and what to say. It could be about your family or about a place. A strong story often has an event or a person you can picture in your mind. But do keep things simple, as the completed stories are typically just 3 minutes long.

What exactly is an audio slideshow?
It is a story told through voice, location sound, music and pictures – but the images are stills not video. It may sound complicated but it's actually an effective way to tell personal stories on the worldwide web. It's less work than filming a video, too.

How much time does it take?
Highland Lives participants came to two evening sessions and two training days, spaced over six weeks. After the first training day, there was two weeks for recording. The BBC team then did a rough edit before the second workshop training day, when people could edit the video and audio themselves.

If you're making a story independently, allow at least a few hours for filming/recording and at least the same amount of time for editing it together.

How much expertise do I need?
Everything Highland Lives storymakers need was provided, plus the training to use it. If you prefer not to concern yourself with the technology and just concentrate on telling a story instead, work with a friend who can record you.

Who decides what a Highland Lives story looks or sounds like?
Not the BBC! The team offered advice and support but the stories are personal so it wasn't their job to dictate the content or style. That said, the BBC is publishing the audio and the video, so we have to take responsibility for any content that is technically flawed or risks causing offence or raising legal issues.

What happens once Highland Lives leaves town?
Each of the Learning Centres and colleges involved keeps the recording kits and computer software. It's up to them how they use the equipment. There are already local community video schemes running where Highland Lives started things going – read more. To get in touch with the centres involved, check their telephone numbers on the workshops and equipment page.