Storytellers Abroad: Missions Multimedia Workshop
Storytellers Abroad
Visual communicators are uniquely positioned to tell amazing stories of how people are being changed by the gospel.
Our Storytellers Abroad | Missions Multimedia Workshops offer the opportunity to engage in a two-week, hands-on multimedia storytelling course with expert teachers from top media outlets on one of our many mission fields.
You’ll receive one-on-one instruction from some of world’s top multimedia professionals. You’ll practice applying skills in real life missions situations, and participate in critiques to learn how to use storytelling to help spread the gospel. Connect your creativity and unique skill set with God’s heart for the world.
Join in a workshop uniquely designed for those with hands gifted in media and a heart geared to missions.
Become a Visual Storyteller
This workshop is a unique opportunity to get hands-on field training in photo and video storytelling. Work on the mission field, with full-time missionaries, telling real stories of real lives changed.
Connect People to the Gospel Through Photography & Videography
While on the field, you’ll work alongside our team of missionaries, helping them to better tell their story. Beginning with story development, you will learn to sequence your story, record audio and video interviews, and capture photos and video to connect with the audience's heart and mind,
Craft a Multimedia Presentation
Your work will result in a finished multimedia production highlighting a person sharing their own story of God's grace. It will be used by missionaries as a resource to connect churches and supporters to the impact of the gospel around the world.
Storytellers Abroad Trips
Brazil | May 16 - June 1, 2023
"I gained much more than I ever would expect to absorb in such a short time frame — from the technical and relational to the missional experience — this workshop hit it all!”
video stories from past workshops are on our Vimeo page
The Trainers
Jeff Raymond, ABWE Visual Communications
Jeff works closely with ABWE missionaries to train them to use visual storytelling as the basis of their communications strategies. He also has a passion to invest in others with creative skills and to create an avenue for them to serve the Lord in missions.
Stanley Leary, Communications Consultant, Chick-Fil-A Corp.
Stanley is a visual storyteller, whose photojournalism has taken him across the world, with images published in TIME, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, and many more. Stanley is also a gifted communicator and teacher. He works with corporate clients to teach their staffs to become more visually effective.
Jon Franz, Founder of Jon Franz Creative, LLC
Jon’s 35 year career as an Art/Creative Director in marketing and corporate communications, for brands like Kimberly-Clark, Coca Cola, BellSouth, and John Maxwell helped develop and hone his skills as a creative professional. Today, Jon is a full time video producer, working with many of the brands upon which his career has been built. Jon would tell you, "building brands is one thing. But with Storytellers Abroad I love that we're serving a greater purpose— making God known by training and encouraging a new group Jesus storytellers."
Ryan Geesaman, Chair of the Communication & Media Arts Department at Lancaster Bible College
Ryan has been involved in media and technology since the 7th grade. From 2004 to 2018, he served as Video Production Director at LCBC, a multisite church based in Manheim, PA. An award-winning film producer and editor, he now serves as Chair of the Communication & Media Arts Department at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School, directing the Media Arts Production program.
James Dockery, Senior Editor at ESPN
James will never miss an opportunity to engage, to mentor, and to entertain. A brilliant and passionate teacher, his 35 years of photo and video experience have taken him around the globe to tell missions stories. James currently works as a top video editor for ESPN and is their lead trainer in Adobe Premiere, PhotoShop and After Effects. James is leading the way to incorporate innovative editing and communication techniques in both the elite corporate broadcasting world, and in the missions world.
Patrick Davison, UNC School of Media/Journalism
In Pat’s 25+ years in journalism, he’s won more than 100 awards, including the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism. He’s taught photo, video and multimedia storytelling since 2001. Leading more than 25 student-team multimedia workshops worldwide, his productions have been recognized by some of the industry’s top awards.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
First and foremost, participants should demonstrate an interest in using media storytelling in Biblical missions.
Storytellers Abroad is geared toward those with one- or two-years background in visual education, and those who are working professionals in photography or video. A basic understanding of technology, terminology, and production methods is required.
This workshop is tailored for the still photographer who wants to make the transition to video. Equally, it is designed for the video documentarian who wishes to develop their storytelling abilities in a missions context. Over two weeks, you will develop and expand your video skill set by taking an idea from concept to finished piece.
If you are a student, this course is designed to fulfill internship requirements of most photography, journalism, digital media, design or missions majors. It may also qualify for course credit at your institution. Contact us to discuss the details.
The workshop fee includes all travel expenses from Harrisburg, PA (airfare, baggage, taxes, ground transportation, travel insurance), meals, housing, workshop tuition, supplies, use of equipment and software, and group activities.
Participants are responsible for their expenses to Harrisburg, PA, and any necessary immunizations, passport or visa costs (varies depending on destination).
CONTACT
Storytellers@abwe.org | 717.909.2302 | Facebook | Instagram
To see finished video stories produced by workshop participants, visit our Vimeo page
