TW Storytelling Agency

03/04/2024

Time to dispel the fears created by the latest “AI job killer.”

OpenAI’s Sora caused filmmaker Tyler Perry to halt an $800 million studio expansion. It would seem text prompts that create one minute videos mean pink slips for creatives.

But not so fast ✋

In the latest edition of Point of View, I argue that NGOs and journalists play by a different set of rules than Hollywood.

Click the link to find out why.

OpenAI recently unveiled Sora and I honestly didn't want to tackle how it will affect storytelling (and our jobs). To me, imitating a futurist is a fool's errand.

02/20/2024

She was laid off because of budget cuts, but this former LA Times producer has so many more stories to tell.

Jessica Q. Chen is one of the latest casualties of what many media analysts are calling an extinction level event in journalism. We spoke about what challenges she faces while unemployed, and why she straddles the plane between objective journalism and a more personal approach to her subjects.

02/17/2024

Hey everyone! It's been a minute. We're slowly ramping things back up with our newsletter. We would love to know what you think. (click on the link below). What stories work for you, which ones would you like to see? And if you'd like to be interviewed for our Worth 1,000 Words blog, let us know what you're working on!
https://preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webview/50296/113422094008583672

TW was launched to help NGOs, social impact orgs and journalists become better visual storytellers.

07/07/2023

07/07/2023

“Don’t just tell the reader that people are running for their lives,” Borzou explains, pointing out that the audience should be struck with the same fear, “have them run for their lives too.”

Captivating readers with the power of visual storytelling is a skill Borzou Daragahi has mastered. From conflict zones to economic crises, he breaks free from the confines of an office to witness stories unfold in vibrant settings. By immersing himself in dynamic environments, he captures the essence of interactions and emotions that make narratives come alive. Daragahi's approach teaches us that stepping outside our comfort zones is key to unlocking riveting tales. Check out our latest blog post to learn why writers must embrace their role as visual storytellers.

Check it out: https://taratw.com/borzou-daragahi-visualstorytelling/

07/06/2023

Our storytelling workshop at the in Paris produced a lightbulb moment for many members of the audience. The discussion focused on adding personal narratives to investor pitches, which filmmaker and business consultant Marie Meslin remarked was a critical practice. She added that funders are quick to write off women and minority entrepreneurs, and that it’s essential they include their own story when asking for support. Another way to put it… storytelling makes financial statements more impactful. Michelle Spiro, who’s the co-founder of FURI Sport said the advice was refreshing in contrast to the warnings to do the opposite, which she heard from others in entrepreneurial circles. And Emmanuelle Bourgueil, CEO of Fingz, said she plans to incorporate these storytelling tips into her own investor deck.

Global Invest Her Tara Todras-Whitehill

06/29/2023

We’re at the InvestHER Summit in Paris, helping a group of brilliant women in their goal of funding a MILLION female entrepreneurs by 2023.

Why is this a big deal?

In Europe, only 5% of venture capital goes to women founders. In the United States, it’s a mere 2%. It’s even less for women of color.

So far we’ve had some great conversations with very interesting people, including Jerome Flint and Paulina Dri-Rabell from , a fantastic global network that connects women-owned businesses to qualified buyers around the world.

also hosted a workshop on how authentic storytelling can lead to profitable business relationships. More on that coming soon!

06/08/2023

Hello from in Greece!

I’ve been in Elfsina, Greece for two days attending the Culture Action Europe conference. It’s been all about care, culture and health and how these issues intersect. It was called an ‘unconference’ and it’s definitely the most interactive and inviting gathering I’ve ever been to. I was most interested in the discussions about how to integrate culture into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the importance of giving artists life skills to make sure they can continue their work.

We also got to take a field trip to see a little performance!

e.s





cultureactioneurope

06/06/2023

It’s official, images really do bring more engagement on social media. According to BuzzSumo, Facebook posts with images get 2.3x more engagement than those without them.

04/29/2023

Maya Levin wasn’t on assignment when she was perched in the second story window of a hospital in East Jerusalem. She explains why it would have typically been a bad idea, and why making that choice led to a regional award at this year’s World Press Photo Contest. She also opened up about covering conflicts in the Middle East, how having an agitated state of awareness forces her to chase after stories, why her profession is a way of life, and the impact that ADHD has on her work.

Read the full story: https://taratw.com/maya-levin-photojournalist/

Perched in a second story window of a hospital in East Jerusalem, Maya Levin tried to put aside the cries of the nurses surrounding her, and focused her camera on the attack unfolding on the street below. Israeli police had begun clubbing, kicking and punching a group of mourners carrying the casket...

04/25/2023

Portuguese illustrator Ines Viegas Oliveira believes kids should learn about gun violence and white privilege from an early age, and has tackled the topics in her debut children’s book The Duel. Our latest blog post examines what visual storytellers can take from her work… and apply to their own.

Tucked away in the Anjos neighborhood of Lisbon is a small children’s bookstore where professional storytellers of all strides come to get ideas.  ”Contemporary artists, newspaper cartoonists, and those who work in advertising often pop into It’s a Book,” says ​​Inês Viegas Oliveira, o...

04/21/2023

Tara Todras-Whitehill is in Los Angeles to lead workshops in partnership with Movement Voter Project, Propper Daley and Kerry Washington. Tara’s helping people understand the importance of story banks, visualizing non-visual stories, and working with AI generated images. We’re proud to been working with these organizations during the past two years.
Kerry Washington Make The Road Nevada Youth Rise Texas Southerners On New Ground We The People MI Action Fund Advance Native Political Leadership Florida Rising 1Hood Media Action St. Louis Comms Newvamajority Arizona Coalition for Change Propper Daley Eduardo Placer HelpGood