AWAKE YOUR INNER STORYTELLER!
Welcome to the inaugural Temasek Foundation-WhatAreYouDoing.sg (TF-WAYD) Storytelling Training Programme. If you’ve ever wondered how to capture, engage and compel an audience, here’s your chance to do just that.
Learn techniques for effective storytelling with the team at WhatAreYouDoing.sg (WAYD.sg), communications specialists who tell stories in photo documentaries, videos and written narratives.
Our mission is to equip small to medium non-profit organisations with multimedia storytelling skills so they can improve the way they reach audiences across digital channels.
Your organisation has been identified as one of a very special set of 30 social service agencies (SSAs) under the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) for our launch training cycle.
Our course is designed to be fun, digestible, and interactive, and will be conducted across digital channels and in-person sessions. Best of all, you’ll see your finished pieces published at our WAYD.sg website and social media channels. (So will everyone else!)
In building the storytelling capability of SSAs, we hope to make it easier for you to deliver messages designed to raise awareness, encourage volunteerism, and bring to life the better selves lying dormant in everyone.
We believe your stories can move more people to support the issues that SSAs are working so hard to resolve.
START HERE
You must complete this introduction module to proceed.
INTRODUCTION TO STORYTELLING
OTHER MODULES
INTERVIEWING
PHOTOGRAPHY
VIDEOGRAPHY
NARRATIVE WRITING
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- INTRODUCTION
What makes a compelling story, and how to tell it so it swiftly reaches audiences
- INTERVIEWING
How to conduct an effective interview and discuss sensitive topics with empathy
- PHOTOGRAPHY
How to capture, document, edit and caption your images
- VIDEOGRAPHY
Learn the fundamentals of pre-production, set-up, audio, editing and posting for social media
- NARRATIVE WRITING
How to structure the information you’ve gathered so your story comes together simply and quickly.
- ACCURACY
How and why you should always verify fact, maintain integrity and get it right.
NPOS WILL BENEFIT MOST WITH THIS COURSE
Raise your digital communication capabilities
Activate and encourage volunteerism from both individuals and corporations
Train a core group of storytellers to tell NPO and community-related stories
COMMITMENT
After completing the Introduction (Course 1), attendees may decide if they can commit to completing the remaining FOUR: Interviewing, Narrative Writing, Photography, Videography. Once registered, each attendee will be obliged to complete all courses, and fulfil submission requirements for a “Competent” proficiency certification.
Alternatively, participating organisations may elect to have two trainees participate in different course modules, depending on their interests.
YOUR TRAINERS
BRYAN VAN DER BEEK | Co-Founder / Director, MEKKITSO
Bryan's award-winning documentary style is a stalwart brand for Singapore storytelling across Asia, North America and Europe. He was an executive photojournalist with The Straits Times, and his images have been featured in media channels in the United States, as well as international media including: Time, Time Asia, Newsweek and The Washington Post.
His most iconic pieces are in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Singapore. He is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Journalism, and has lectured at the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University, Temasek Polytechnic and the Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film.
SERENE GOH |
Co-Founder / Director, MEKKITSO
Serene’s three decades in media include stints as an award-winning news correspondent, editor and publisher. She managed Singapore Press Holdings’ content marketing department, and helmed The Straits Times’ News In Education programme from its inception, driving national campaigns such as the MCCY-Straits Times’ Idea Jam for social innovation and garnering international accolades recognising excellence.
She served on the 13th and 14th National Youth Councils, and is currently a board member of Advisory.Sg. She graduated Abilene Christian University, Texas, with a Journalism / Political Science degree.
CAROLINE CHIA | Director of Engagement, MEKKITSO
Caroline has notched international accolades recognising excellence in photojournalism in her career. She was previously with The Straits Times Picture Desk for more than 12 years, after graduating from the University at Buffalo, New York.
Over the years, she has covered both local and international events, including the 2013 Malaysian Elections, Singapore Grand Prix and the 2015 SEA Games. Caroline is currently a freelance producer and photographer, and her easygoing disposition continually earns her the trust and confidence of the subjects she studies, even under sensitive circumstances. As head of engagement at WhatAreYouDoing.sg, she leads our training initiatives.
STACEY RODRIGUES | Content Chief, MEKKITSO
Stacey’s multimedia storytelling style is centred on finding the human, personal side to every story. She is a former journalist who works with brands, corporates and social outreach organisations for optimised engagement across platforms.
She has led high-performing teams at ELLE Singapore and Edelman Singapore, and contributed to Channel NewsAsia, The Edge Singapore, and Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore. She is as comfortable at the keyboard as she is behind a camera, capturing short-form, doco-style video content. After completing her Master in Mass Communications degree at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), she broadened her spectrum of expertise to communications.