Eddy Jackson MBE | Media Bot Maven

Visual anthropology demands thinking about the angle of an ethnographic story. Here are some ideas to think about as a starting point for a new project.

What is the point of view?

What is this original creative idea about?

Does it excite and motivate you?

Before you start ensure to be well informed and widely read. A starting point may be why do I wonder about this subject or idea? Why do you want to investigate it? Whatever it is, for the successful development from the germination of an idea, advanced detailed planning is the prerequisite to success for the publication of the final content.

Beware, here is a caveat, the concept of less is more, and having a narrow focus is better than having a surfeit of complex ideas. The latter lead to confusion and uncertainty impacting the narrative.

How you craft and develop the story angle is the prime consideration in the initial stages. As a digital native why not use Google Earth, Apple maps, Wikis, and other online reference resources?

In the field make use of every resource possible. Use mobile phones for taking notes, audio recordings, photography, and videos to jog your memory and include these in the final project. They help recapture the experience.

Here multimedia notetaking becomes a trigger for writing. Never stop taking these digital notes. Whilst working on projects I am constantly recording digital content. For good practice, back up this content and save it to the cloud. Email - WhatsApp this content to yourself.

When you interview people do not be led astray by their personal agenda(s) or if they try to put their organizations' agenda forward. To counter this ensure you do things that appeal to and interest you.

In the physical context of the story on location record, include WOW! living the moment, breathing, and experiential content – not just facts or history. Your feelings and emotions may be woven into the paragraphs to help add color to the narrative and story.

To do this record things at the moment. What is this experience? Collect a range of experiences by responding to your emotions and feelings. Include these.

In another context, good sources for the article may come from local people such as taxi drivers and bartenders.

BACK AT BASE

It's important to reflect on and review the range of resources and assets collated for the story. Time must be created, and space is given before starting and commencing your narrative. Do not jump straight in. Go back to the original brief, what creative aspect and point do you want to develop? Can you find common threads in the story and then develop a specific argument or feature that you are making? Here it must be focused - you cannot put everything in it.

Think about the flow and balance of paragraphs and how to integrate a range of feelings, emotions, historical facts, and descriptions for your story.

For a starting point map out, plan, and get an overview turn from a significant feature. What are you trying to get across here?

Stories are rarely linear; they move and in places jump to another perspective. Move between the colorful immersive (first hand) experience and then move into a different style of writing. Mix it up to ensure it flows and it's coherent.

Have a starting point by using no more than two sentences. These must be sharp because it is not only the introduction but it's also the reason.

Clarity of purpose - clarity in writing is essential.

Proofread and constantly double-check by reading out aloud.

Consider if the story is worthy. What is the unique angle? Will other people be interested who is the audience all readers? Discuss and share with others for informed feedback.

Find your unique voice and asked what you want to produce about the place, characters, people, and narrative.

National Identity History Northern Ireland Wales Scotland England

The remarkable seventy-year reign of Queen Elizabeth 11 and the inauguration of King Charles 111 has highlighted the diversity of the United Kingdom.

The new king immediately visited Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. In all of these countries, the new Monarch received fervent admiration from the tens of thousands of people lining the route of the Royal Entourage.

The United Kingdom’s history shows the complexity in trying to answer the question of national identity and who we are in Britain or anywhere in the world. Who were our forebearers? How did we gain identity, culture, and beliefs, and become part of the society?

How did we gain identity, culture, and beliefs, and become part of the society?

Going back in history over one thousand years ago the landscape and political boundaries look very different. What if the outcomes and impact of historical events and battles were different? What would be the implications now?

A century before the Battle of Hastings in 1066 the formation of the United Kingdom was established at the little name event. It determined the future of the British Isles.

The little-known battle at Brunanburh in 937 involved an alliance of Celts, Viking, Irish, Welsh, and Scottish Kings and their armies against the English (And some loyal Vikings). The winner of this ferocious battle carved out a powerful nation that went on to unify the British Isles. The outcome could have easily been very different. If this was the case a new powerful Celtic, Irish, Scottish, and Viking nation would have developed and controlled Britain.

Historically Celtic Britain what is invaded by Saxons, Angles, and Jutes during the Dark Ages. Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the western regions of England maintained their identity.

An example of this may be seen in the juxtaposition of different cultural place names in North Lancashire:

Heritage

A rich mixture of place names with a unique combination of Old English, Old Norse, and Old Welsh – Cumbric (the language spoken by the Celts in this region.) There remains a small number of Latinized names.

Culture

Celtic – Anglian - Norse.

An ancient Celtic tradition is a pervasive element.

 The Angles from the Anglo-Saxons were followed three centuries later by the Vikings.

NW HERITAGE PLACE NAMES

The winner of this ferocious battle carved out a powerful nation

How did your cultural heritage evolve?