[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
so as I enter my final few weeks here at
so as I enter my final few weeks here at Patna as you’re 13 it’s become a really
Patna as you’re 13 it’s become a really
Patna as you’re 13 it’s become a really reflective time many of you that I know
reflective time many of you that I know
reflective time many of you that I know personally will go on to change the
personally will go on to change the
personally will go on to change the world in so many different and amazing
world in so many different and amazing
world in so many different and amazing ways global health technology the
ways global health technology the
ways global health technology the environment me I just really want to
environment me I just really want to
environment me I just really want to create art for animated films in my
create art for animated films in my
create art for animated films in my opinion hearing and telling stories is
opinion hearing and telling stories is
opinion hearing and telling stories is as important to our psychological health
as important to our psychological health
as important to our psychological health as being disease-free as to our physical
as being disease-free as to our physical
as being disease-free as to our physical a truth that I take away from animation
a truth that I take away from animation
a truth that I take away from animation is that the stories they tell are far
is that the stories they tell are far
is that the stories they tell are far beyond just commerce or entertainment or
beyond just commerce or entertainment or
beyond just commerce or entertainment or even art it transcends all of these
even art it transcends all of these
even art it transcends all of these categories what the stories create are
categories what the stories create are
categories what the stories create are part of a continuum reflecting the human
part of a continuum reflecting the human
part of a continuum reflecting the human experience our shared mythology and
experience our shared mythology and
experience our shared mythology and passed from the goofiest cartoons to the
passed from the goofiest cartoons to the
passed from the goofiest cartoons to the most revered films it’s truth that we’re
most revered films it’s truth that we’re
most revered films it’s truth that we’re after how is it that different cultures
after how is it that different cultures
after how is it that different cultures not connected by space or time or any
not connected by space or time or any
not connected by space or time or any form of communication somehow produce
form of communication somehow produce
form of communication somehow produce similar or even identical tales how is
similar or even identical tales how is
similar or even identical tales how is it that there is a beauty and a beast
it that there is a beauty and a beast
it that there is a beauty and a beast and almost every spoken or written
and almost every spoken or written
and almost every spoken or written language cinema has only been around for
language cinema has only been around for
language cinema has only been around for about a hundred years which is crazy
about a hundred years which is crazy
about a hundred years which is crazy because I know that for a lot of us we
because I know that for a lot of us we
because I know that for a lot of us we go see a film like every other week
go see a film like every other week
go see a film like every other week we’re all pretty much screen addicted at
we’re all pretty much screen addicted at
we’re all pretty much screen addicted at this point something I’ve always admired
this point something I’ve always admired
this point something I’ve always admired about these film studios and producers
about these film studios and producers
about these film studios and producers is their ability to go beyond the
is their ability to go beyond the
is their ability to go beyond the technical and focus on the most
technical and focus on the most
technical and focus on the most important aspect of film story one of
important aspect of film story one of
important aspect of film story one of these large Animation Studios published
these large Animation Studios published
these large Animation Studios published 22 rules for great storytelling that
22 rules for great storytelling that
22 rules for great storytelling that they adhered to in all their films but I
they adhered to in all their films but I
they adhered to in all their films but I want to focus on just one right now and
want to focus on just one right now and
want to focus on just one right now and that’s number 14
that’s number 14
that’s number 14 why must you tell the story why does the
why must you tell the story why does the
why must you tell the story why does the story need to exist and what greater
story need to exist and what greater
story need to exist and what greater purpose does it serve whether it’s we
purpose does it serve whether it’s we
purpose does it serve whether it’s we share our not only our own stories but
share our not only our own stories but
share our not only our own stories but also the stories of others but why maybe
also the stories of others but why maybe
also the stories of others but why maybe it’s because we need to know we need to
it’s because we need to know we need to
it’s because we need to know we need to feel a connection to these people we’ve
feel a connection to these people we’ve
feel a connection to these people we’ve never met in these situations we’ve
never met in these situations we’ve
never met in these situations we’ve never experienced
never experienced
never experienced and that’s a huge part of the human
and that’s a huge part of the human
and that’s a huge part of the human experience we won’t act or help or
experience we won’t act or help or
experience we won’t act or help or change if we don’t feel I mean
change if we don’t feel I mean
change if we don’t feel I mean statistics it’s just statistics but in
statistics it’s just statistics but in
statistics it’s just statistics but in the end they don’t make us feel guilty
the end they don’t make us feel guilty
the end they don’t make us feel guilty or motivated or passionate it’s the
or motivated or passionate it’s the
or motivated or passionate it’s the people and stories that drive us to make
people and stories that drive us to make
people and stories that drive us to make the world a little better we hear these
the world a little better we hear these
the world a little better we hear these stories and we connect we feel the urge
stories and we connect we feel the urge
stories and we connect we feel the urge to share these stories so that others
to share these stories so that others
to share these stories so that others can connect to so over the course of the
can connect to so over the course of the
can connect to so over the course of the last year I’ve been going through the
last year I’ve been going through the
last year I’ve been going through the struggle of putting together my art
struggle of putting together my art
struggle of putting together my art portfolio to apply for university and
portfolio to apply for university and
portfolio to apply for university and those of you friends with me are
those of you friends with me are
those of you friends with me are probably really sick of me talking about
probably really sick of me talking about
probably really sick of me talking about it by now but one of the things I
it by now but one of the things I
it by now but one of the things I included was this really short
included was this really short
included was this really short stop-motion animation that I made I’m
stop-motion animation that I made I’m
stop-motion animation that I made I’m sure you guys have all seen those wooden
sure you guys have all seen those wooden
sure you guys have all seen those wooden Thai spirit houses you see them
Thai spirit houses you see them
Thai spirit houses you see them everywhere in Bangkok on the streets
everywhere in Bangkok on the streets
everywhere in Bangkok on the streets next to people’s houses in front of
next to people’s houses in front of
next to people’s houses in front of markets it’s pretty common for Thai
markets it’s pretty common for Thai
markets it’s pretty common for Thai people to believe that by offering these
people to believe that by offering these
people to believe that by offering these spirits those sorry red phantom bottles
spirits those sorry red phantom bottles
spirits those sorry red phantom bottles you see it that’ll bring them good luck
you see it that’ll bring them good luck
you see it that’ll bring them good luck and fortune but often they get a pretty
and fortune but often they get a pretty
and fortune but often they get a pretty bad rep they’re feared and mysterious
bad rep they’re feared and mysterious
bad rep they’re feared and mysterious and unknown so my thought was just you
and unknown so my thought was just you
and unknown so my thought was just you know what did the character and the
know what did the character and the
know what did the character and the spirit inside was really just this cute
spirit inside was really just this cute
spirit inside was really just this cute short stubby little spirit that it has
short stubby little spirit that it has
short stubby little spirit that it has maybe grown a belly from having just a
maybe grown a belly from having just a
maybe grown a belly from having just a bit too much soda to drink so here’s a
bit too much soda to drink so here’s a
bit too much soda to drink so here’s a story about literally the most random
story about literally the most random
story about literally the most random thing and it just goes to show that
thing and it just goes to show that
thing and it just goes to show that stories can come from absolutely
stories can come from absolutely
stories can come from absolutely anywhere they make you think about
anywhere they make you think about
anywhere they make you think about things you never thought about before
things you never thought about before
things you never thought about before big or small in essence storytelling is
big or small in essence storytelling is
big or small in essence storytelling is just retelling old news before Wikipedia
just retelling old news before Wikipedia
just retelling old news before Wikipedia all the important things we learned came
all the important things we learned came
all the important things we learned came from storytelling it’s ancient it’s
from storytelling it’s ancient it’s
from storytelling it’s ancient it’s prehistoric
prehistoric
prehistoric it’s innate we don’t have to learn how
it’s innate we don’t have to learn how
it’s innate we don’t have to learn how to be a storyteller we’re born with it
to be a storyteller we’re born with it
to be a storyteller we’re born with it we’re all just vessels for the stories
we’re all just vessels for the stories
we’re all just vessels for the stories we carry so whether it’s understanding
we carry so whether it’s understanding
we carry so whether it’s understanding the virtues of cooperation over
the virtues of cooperation over
the virtues of cooperation over pridefulness coming in to terms with the
pridefulness coming in to terms with the
pridefulness coming in to terms with the death of a loved one or pursuing your
death of a loved one or pursuing your
death of a loved one or pursuing your passion to
passion to
passion to by your background these are all films
by your background these are all films
by your background these are all films that portray ideas and concepts central
that portray ideas and concepts central
that portray ideas and concepts central to the socio and emotional development
to the socio and emotional development
to the socio and emotional development things kids should be learning about in
things kids should be learning about in
things kids should be learning about in their most impressionable years
their most impressionable years
their most impressionable years according to a study done at the
according to a study done at the
according to a study done at the University of Nottingham and how
University of Nottingham and how
University of Nottingham and how animation influences learning they found
animation influences learning they found
animation influences learning they found that children actually have a better
that children actually have a better
that children actually have a better cognitive reaction to animation they
cognitive reaction to animation they
cognitive reaction to animation they focus on it better than they can on
focus on it better than they can on
focus on it better than they can on live-action books or even real-life
live-action books or even real-life
live-action books or even real-life because they can absorb its meanings
because they can absorb its meanings
because they can absorb its meanings better growing up TV teaches us
better growing up TV teaches us
better growing up TV teaches us everything from how to kiss to how to
everything from how to kiss to how to
everything from how to kiss to how to tie your shoelaces and that’s the direct
tie your shoelaces and that’s the direct
tie your shoelaces and that’s the direct message of cart that cartoons have a
message of cart that cartoons have a
message of cart that cartoons have a very rectangular well just sponge living
very rectangular well just sponge living
very rectangular well just sponge living under the sea taught us love yourself
under the sea taught us love yourself
under the sea taught us love yourself and stay optimistic and from pocket
and stay optimistic and from pocket
and stay optimistic and from pocket monsters remain loyal to your friends
monsters remain loyal to your friends
monsters remain loyal to your friends even a ragtag family of talking toys
even a ragtag family of talking toys
even a ragtag family of talking toys taught us help others it feels good and
taught us help others it feels good and
taught us help others it feels good and even a show about four or five miles
even a show about four or five miles
even a show about four or five miles fourth graders taught us to question
fourth graders taught us to question
fourth graders taught us to question authority question power dig beneath the
authority question power dig beneath the
authority question power dig beneath the most convenient answer and that’s a
most convenient answer and that’s a
most convenient answer and that’s a skill and for all of us IV students
skill and for all of us IV students
skill and for all of us IV students watching it’s one that we should have
watching it’s one that we should have
watching it’s one that we should have fine-tuned in these dark injury days and
fine-tuned in these dark injury days and
fine-tuned in these dark injury days and remember that 90s cartoon about the kid
remember that 90s cartoon about the kid
remember that 90s cartoon about the kid with the funky hair and his adventures
with the funky hair and his adventures
with the funky hair and his adventures with his friends yeah throwback this
with his friends yeah throwback this
with his friends yeah throwback this show showed me that there is a huge
show showed me that there is a huge
show showed me that there is a huge difference between a dangerous
difference between a dangerous
difference between a dangerous neighborhood and the systemically poor
neighborhood and the systemically poor
neighborhood and the systemically poor one and that there is good to be found
one and that there is good to be found
one and that there is good to be found in people from the highest to the lowest
in people from the highest to the lowest
in people from the highest to the lowest stations in life and that’s a lesson
stations in life and that’s a lesson
stations in life and that’s a lesson that I carried with me into Patna with
that I carried with me into Patna with
that I carried with me into Patna with this Bangkok neighborhood still filled
this Bangkok neighborhood still filled
this Bangkok neighborhood still filled with so many areas of struggle but I
with so many areas of struggle but I
with so many areas of struggle but I have found only good under the overpass
have found only good under the overpass
have found only good under the overpass and a lot of it like the many cat clubs
and a lot of it like the many cat clubs
and a lot of it like the many cat clubs have been a part of a community of
have been a part of a community of
have been a part of a community of volunteers working together to eliminate
volunteers working together to eliminate
volunteers working together to eliminate substandard housing in low-income areas
substandard housing in low-income areas
substandard housing in low-income areas or advocacy groups they give up like a
or advocacy groups they give up like a
or advocacy groups they give up like a voice to the underrepresented present
voice to the underrepresented present
voice to the underrepresented present opportunities for their stories to be
opportunities for their stories to be
opportunities for their stories to be heard but for me the best vine of this
heard but for me the best vine of this
heard but for me the best vine of this Bangkok community were the kids over the
Bangkok community were the kids over the
Bangkok community were the kids over the course of the last year
I’ve over the course the last two years
I’ve over the course the last two years I’ve had the opportunity to work with so
I’ve had the opportunity to work with so
I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many kids from local schools and temples
many kids from local schools and temples
many kids from local schools and temples many of you as well I’m sure um and as a
many of you as well I’m sure um and as a
many of you as well I’m sure um and as a leader of one of these groups that
leader of one of these groups that
leader of one of these groups that organizes monthly visits for children
organizes monthly visits for children
organizes monthly visits for children from the clonk toys loans we’ve been
from the clonk toys loans we’ve been
from the clonk toys loans we’ve been focusing on month on integrating monthly
focusing on month on integrating monthly
focusing on month on integrating monthly reading sessions for them and we start
reading sessions for them and we start
reading sessions for them and we start off each phone with a picture book
off each phone with a picture book
off each phone with a picture book reading and although I’m positive most
reading and although I’m positive most
reading and although I’m positive most of them have no idea what’s happening
of them have no idea what’s happening
of them have no idea what’s happening most of the time I get to see as these
most of the time I get to see as these
most of the time I get to see as these kids laugh and react and smile to the
kids laugh and react and smile to the
kids laugh and react and smile to the different characters and stories it
different characters and stories it
different characters and stories it showed me that storytelling really is
showed me that storytelling really is
showed me that storytelling really is beyond the surface level of what we
beyond the surface level of what we
beyond the surface level of what we depict it to be in essence it’s about
depict it to be in essence it’s about
depict it to be in essence it’s about sharing an experience connecting with
sharing an experience connecting with
sharing an experience connecting with people despite language or cultural
people despite language or cultural
people despite language or cultural barriers isn’t it crazy how we can make
barriers isn’t it crazy how we can make
barriers isn’t it crazy how we can make animated characters so relatable and
animated characters so relatable and
animated characters so relatable and believable enough to befriend a child
believable enough to befriend a child
believable enough to befriend a child because that’s what they were back then
because that’s what they were back then
because that’s what they were back then they were friends growing up with these
they were friends growing up with these
they were friends growing up with these characters I can still look back on them
characters I can still look back on them
characters I can still look back on them fondly and they may be fictional but if
fondly and they may be fictional but if
fondly and they may be fictional but if they can make a lonely child out there
they can make a lonely child out there
they can make a lonely child out there feel just a little bit less lonely than
feel just a little bit less lonely than
feel just a little bit less lonely than I think that’s really powerful so as
I think that’s really powerful so as
I think that’s really powerful so as much as I believe in children I mean as
much as I believe in children I mean as
much as I believe in children I mean as much as I believe in film
much as I believe in film
much as I believe in film I believe in children and their ability
I believe in children and their ability
I believe in children and their ability to love and learn and grasp meaning from
to love and learn and grasp meaning from
to love and learn and grasp meaning from what they watch generations after us
what they watch generations after us
what they watch generations after us need to be sustainable enough to mean to
need to be sustainable enough to mean to
need to be sustainable enough to mean to be brilliant enough to feed a global
be brilliant enough to feed a global
be brilliant enough to feed a global population that would be entirely
population that would be entirely
population that would be entirely unsustainable by 2050 and to do that
unsustainable by 2050 and to do that
unsustainable by 2050 and to do that kids are gonna need to believe that they
kids are gonna need to believe that they
kids are gonna need to believe that they can and that they should and that is
can and that they should and that is
can and that they should and that is where education kids media and
where education kids media and
where education kids media and storytelling you two intersect and if
storytelling you two intersect and if
storytelling you two intersect and if your teacher you can employees in your
your teacher you can employees in your
your teacher you can employees in your classrooms as well the creators of these
classrooms as well the creators of these
classrooms as well the creators of these animated films understand that the most
animated films understand that the most
animated films understand that the most important stories resonate with people
important stories resonate with people
important stories resonate with people because they appeal to some core truth
because they appeal to some core truth
because they appeal to some core truth about the human condition regardless of
about the human condition regardless of
about the human condition regardless of whether they’re told through the eyes of
whether they’re told through the eyes of
whether they’re told through the eyes of toys robots or even monsters they’re
toys robots or even monsters they’re
toys robots or even monsters they’re able to really empathize with their
able to really empathize with their
able to really empathize with their audiences to say we know you’re feeling
audiences to say we know you’re feeling
audiences to say we know you’re feeling this way now let us show you why you’re
this way now let us show you why you’re
this way now let us show you why you’re feeling this way and they do it in a
feeling this way and they do it in a
feeling this way and they do it in a manner that does
manner that does
manner that does sound so preacher condescending please
sound so preacher condescending please
sound so preacher condescending please try to teach emotional intelligence
try to teach emotional intelligence
try to teach emotional intelligence through story so by working with kids
through story so by working with kids
through story so by working with kids and watching far too many movies I’ve
and watching far too many movies I’ve
and watching far too many movies I’ve come to see that nothing matters more in
come to see that nothing matters more in
come to see that nothing matters more in developing a good person someone with an
developing a good person someone with an
developing a good person someone with an open mind and heart then being told you
open mind and heart then being told you
open mind and heart then being told you already are one so just keep swimming so
already are one so just keep swimming so
already are one so just keep swimming so soon after we’ve all been let out it’ll
soon after we’ve all been let out it’ll
soon after we’ve all been let out it’ll be time for you guys to film your
be time for you guys to film your
be time for you guys to film your friends giving speeches today or if
friends giving speeches today or if
friends giving speeches today or if you’re a parent take a blurry and poorly
you’re a parent take a blurry and poorly
you’re a parent take a blurry and poorly framed photo of your child to post on
framed photo of your child to post on
framed photo of your child to post on various family group chats but just
various family group chats but just
various family group chats but just remember it always comes back to home so
remember it always comes back to home so
remember it always comes back to home so I may not be the loudest person in this
I may not be the loudest person in this
I may not be the loudest person in this room and I may not have some grand story
room and I may not have some grand story
room and I may not have some grand story to share but not all movies are magic
to share but not all movies are magic
to share but not all movies are magic and mystery we watched movies about
and mystery we watched movies about
and mystery we watched movies about normal kids growing up and finding out
normal kids growing up and finding out
normal kids growing up and finding out what it’s like to be responsible for
what it’s like to be responsible for
what it’s like to be responsible for things we watched movies with minimal
things we watched movies with minimal
things we watched movies with minimal plot to appreciate the beautiful
plot to appreciate the beautiful
plot to appreciate the beautiful cinematography perfectly
cinematography perfectly
cinematography perfectly color-coordinated scenes or maybe that
color-coordinated scenes or maybe that
color-coordinated scenes or maybe that last parts just me and I’m speaking here
last parts just me and I’m speaking here
last parts just me and I’m speaking here today when I normally wouldn’t for the
today when I normally wouldn’t for the
today when I normally wouldn’t for the fear of people thinking about what I say
fear of people thinking about what I say
fear of people thinking about what I say and being too overly critical in myself
and being too overly critical in myself
and being too overly critical in myself because what I think is the greatest
because what I think is the greatest
because what I think is the greatest idea worth sharing is the idea that
idea worth sharing is the idea that
idea worth sharing is the idea that every story is worth telling from the
every story is worth telling from the
every story is worth telling from the silver screens to the intimacy of
silver screens to the intimacy of
silver screens to the intimacy of late-night conversations we have during
late-night conversations we have during
late-night conversations we have during sleepovers in front of the telly from a
sleepovers in front of the telly from a
sleepovers in front of the telly from a shout to a whisper an epic theater
shout to a whisper an epic theater
shout to a whisper an epic theater monologue to a 10-minute TED talk all
monologue to a 10-minute TED talk all
monologue to a 10-minute TED talk all the way down to a single word you all
the way down to a single word you all
the way down to a single word you all have a story to tell so tell it thank
have a story to tell so tell it thank
have a story to tell so tell it thank you
you
you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
so as I enter my final few weeks here at
so as I enter my final few weeks here at Patna as you’re 13 it’s become a really
Patna as you’re 13 it’s become a really
Patna as you’re 13 it’s become a really reflective time many of you that I know
reflective time many of you that I know
reflective time many of you that I know personally will go on to change the
personally will go on to change the
personally will go on to change the world in so many different and amazing
world in so many different and amazing
world in so many different and amazing ways global health technology the
ways global health technology the
ways global health technology the environment me I just really want to
environment me I just really want to
environment me I just really want to create art for animated films in my
create art for animated films in my
create art for animated films in my opinion hearing and telling stories is
opinion hearing and telling stories is
opinion hearing and telling stories is as important to our psychological health
as important to our psychological health
as important to our psychological health as being disease-free as to our physical
as being disease-free as to our physical
as being disease-free as to our physical a truth that I take away from animation
a truth that I take away from animation
a truth that I take away from animation is that the stories they tell are far
is that the stories they tell are far
is that the stories they tell are far beyond just commerce or entertainment or
beyond just commerce or entertainment or
beyond just commerce or entertainment or even art it transcends all of these
even art it transcends all of these
even art it transcends all of these categories what the stories create are
categories what the stories create are
categories what the stories create are part of a continuum reflecting the human
part of a continuum reflecting the human
part of a continuum reflecting the human experience our shared mythology and
experience our shared mythology and
experience our shared mythology and passed from the goofiest cartoons to the
passed from the goofiest cartoons to the
passed from the goofiest cartoons to the most revered films it’s truth that we’re
most revered films it’s truth that we’re
most revered films it’s truth that we’re after how is it that different cultures
after how is it that different cultures
after how is it that different cultures not connected by space or time or any
not connected by space or time or any
not connected by space or time or any form of communication somehow produce
form of communication somehow produce
form of communication somehow produce similar or even identical tales how is
similar or even identical tales how is
similar or even identical tales how is it that there is a beauty and a beast
it that there is a beauty and a beast
it that there is a beauty and a beast and almost every spoken or written
and almost every spoken or written
and almost every spoken or written language cinema has only been around for
language cinema has only been around for
language cinema has only been around for about a hundred years which is crazy
about a hundred years which is crazy
about a hundred years which is crazy because I know that for a lot of us we
because I know that for a lot of us we
because I know that for a lot of us we go see a film like every other week
go see a film like every other week
go see a film like every other week we’re all pretty much screen addicted at
we’re all pretty much screen addicted at
we’re all pretty much screen addicted at this point something I’ve always admired
this point something I’ve always admired
this point something I’ve always admired about these film studios and producers
about these film studios and producers
about these film studios and producers is their ability to go beyond the
is their ability to go beyond the
is their ability to go beyond the technical and focus on the most
technical and focus on the most
technical and focus on the most important aspect of film story one of
important aspect of film story one of
important aspect of film story one of these large Animation Studios published
these large Animation Studios published
these large Animation Studios published 22 rules for great storytelling that
22 rules for great storytelling that
22 rules for great storytelling that they adhered to in all their films but I
they adhered to in all their films but I
they adhered to in all their films but I want to focus on just one right now and
want to focus on just one right now and
want to focus on just one right now and that’s number 14
that’s number 14
that’s number 14 why must you tell the story why does the
why must you tell the story why does the
why must you tell the story why does the story need to exist and what greater
story need to exist and what greater
story need to exist and what greater purpose does it serve whether it’s we
purpose does it serve whether it’s we
purpose does it serve whether it’s we share our not only our own stories but
share our not only our own stories but
share our not only our own stories but also the stories of others but why maybe
also the stories of others but why maybe
also the stories of others but why maybe it’s because we need to know we need to
it’s because we need to know we need to
it’s because we need to know we need to feel a connection to these people we’ve
feel a connection to these people we’ve
feel a connection to these people we’ve never met in these situations we’ve
never met in these situations we’ve
never met in these situations we’ve never experienced
never experienced
never experienced and that’s a huge part of the human
and that’s a huge part of the human
and that’s a huge part of the human experience we won’t act or help or
experience we won’t act or help or
experience we won’t act or help or change if we don’t feel I mean
change if we don’t feel I mean
change if we don’t feel I mean statistics it’s just statistics but in
statistics it’s just statistics but in
statistics it’s just statistics but in the end they don’t make us feel guilty
the end they don’t make us feel guilty
the end they don’t make us feel guilty or motivated or passionate it’s the
or motivated or passionate it’s the
or motivated or passionate it’s the people and stories that drive us to make
people and stories that drive us to make
people and stories that drive us to make the world a little better we hear these
the world a little better we hear these
the world a little better we hear these stories and we connect we feel the urge
stories and we connect we feel the urge
stories and we connect we feel the urge to share these stories so that others
to share these stories so that others
to share these stories so that others can connect to so over the course of the
can connect to so over the course of the
can connect to so over the course of the last year I’ve been going through the
last year I’ve been going through the
last year I’ve been going through the struggle of putting together my art
struggle of putting together my art
struggle of putting together my art portfolio to apply for university and
portfolio to apply for university and
portfolio to apply for university and those of you friends with me are
those of you friends with me are
those of you friends with me are probably really sick of me talking about
probably really sick of me talking about
probably really sick of me talking about it by now but one of the things I
it by now but one of the things I
it by now but one of the things I included was this really short
included was this really short
included was this really short stop-motion animation that I made I’m
stop-motion animation that I made I’m
stop-motion animation that I made I’m sure you guys have all seen those wooden
sure you guys have all seen those wooden
sure you guys have all seen those wooden Thai spirit houses you see them
Thai spirit houses you see them
Thai spirit houses you see them everywhere in Bangkok on the streets
everywhere in Bangkok on the streets
everywhere in Bangkok on the streets next to people’s houses in front of
next to people’s houses in front of
next to people’s houses in front of markets it’s pretty common for Thai
markets it’s pretty common for Thai
markets it’s pretty common for Thai people to believe that by offering these
people to believe that by offering these
people to believe that by offering these spirits those sorry red phantom bottles
spirits those sorry red phantom bottles
spirits those sorry red phantom bottles you see it that’ll bring them good luck
you see it that’ll bring them good luck
you see it that’ll bring them good luck and fortune but often they get a pretty
and fortune but often they get a pretty
and fortune but often they get a pretty bad rep they’re feared and mysterious
bad rep they’re feared and mysterious
bad rep they’re feared and mysterious and unknown so my thought was just you
and unknown so my thought was just you
and unknown so my thought was just you know what did the character and the
know what did the character and the
know what did the character and the spirit inside was really just this cute
spirit inside was really just this cute
spirit inside was really just this cute short stubby little spirit that it has
short stubby little spirit that it has
short stubby little spirit that it has maybe grown a belly from having just a
maybe grown a belly from having just a
maybe grown a belly from having just a bit too much soda to drink so here’s a
bit too much soda to drink so here’s a
bit too much soda to drink so here’s a story about literally the most random
story about literally the most random
story about literally the most random thing and it just goes to show that
thing and it just goes to show that
thing and it just goes to show that stories can come from absolutely
stories can come from absolutely
stories can come from absolutely anywhere they make you think about
anywhere they make you think about
anywhere they make you think about things you never thought about before
things you never thought about before
things you never thought about before big or small in essence storytelling is
big or small in essence storytelling is
big or small in essence storytelling is just retelling old news before Wikipedia
just retelling old news before Wikipedia
just retelling old news before Wikipedia all the important things we learned came
all the important things we learned came
all the important things we learned came from storytelling it’s ancient it’s
from storytelling it’s ancient it’s
from storytelling it’s ancient it’s prehistoric
prehistoric
prehistoric it’s innate we don’t have to learn how
it’s innate we don’t have to learn how
it’s innate we don’t have to learn how to be a storyteller we’re born with it
to be a storyteller we’re born with it
to be a storyteller we’re born with it we’re all just vessels for the stories
we’re all just vessels for the stories
we’re all just vessels for the stories we carry so whether it’s understanding
we carry so whether it’s understanding
we carry so whether it’s understanding the virtues of cooperation over
the virtues of cooperation over
the virtues of cooperation over pridefulness coming in to terms with the
pridefulness coming in to terms with the
pridefulness coming in to terms with the death of a loved one or pursuing your
death of a loved one or pursuing your
death of a loved one or pursuing your passion to
passion to
passion to by your background these are all films
by your background these are all films
by your background these are all films that portray ideas and concepts central
that portray ideas and concepts central
that portray ideas and concepts central to the socio and emotional development
to the socio and emotional development
to the socio and emotional development things kids should be learning about in
things kids should be learning about in
things kids should be learning about in their most impressionable years
their most impressionable years
their most impressionable years according to a study done at the
according to a study done at the
according to a study done at the University of Nottingham and how
University of Nottingham and how
University of Nottingham and how animation influences learning they found
animation influences learning they found
animation influences learning they found that children actually have a better
that children actually have a better
that children actually have a better cognitive reaction to animation they
cognitive reaction to animation they
cognitive reaction to animation they focus on it better than they can on
focus on it better than they can on
focus on it better than they can on live-action books or even real-life
live-action books or even real-life
live-action books or even real-life because they can absorb its meanings
because they can absorb its meanings
because they can absorb its meanings better growing up TV teaches us
better growing up TV teaches us
better growing up TV teaches us everything from how to kiss to how to
everything from how to kiss to how to
everything from how to kiss to how to tie your shoelaces and that’s the direct
tie your shoelaces and that’s the direct
tie your shoelaces and that’s the direct message of cart that cartoons have a
message of cart that cartoons have a
message of cart that cartoons have a very rectangular well just sponge living
very rectangular well just sponge living
very rectangular well just sponge living under the sea taught us love yourself
under the sea taught us love yourself
under the sea taught us love yourself and stay optimistic and from pocket
and stay optimistic and from pocket
and stay optimistic and from pocket monsters remain loyal to your friends
monsters remain loyal to your friends
monsters remain loyal to your friends even a ragtag family of talking toys
even a ragtag family of talking toys
even a ragtag family of talking toys taught us help others it feels good and
taught us help others it feels good and
taught us help others it feels good and even a show about four or five miles
even a show about four or five miles
even a show about four or five miles fourth graders taught us to question
fourth graders taught us to question
fourth graders taught us to question authority question power dig beneath the
authority question power dig beneath the
authority question power dig beneath the most convenient answer and that’s a
most convenient answer and that’s a
most convenient answer and that’s a skill and for all of us IV students
skill and for all of us IV students
skill and for all of us IV students watching it’s one that we should have
watching it’s one that we should have
watching it’s one that we should have fine-tuned in these dark injury days and
fine-tuned in these dark injury days and
fine-tuned in these dark injury days and remember that 90s cartoon about the kid
remember that 90s cartoon about the kid
remember that 90s cartoon about the kid with the funky hair and his adventures
with the funky hair and his adventures
with the funky hair and his adventures with his friends yeah throwback this
with his friends yeah throwback this
with his friends yeah throwback this show showed me that there is a huge
show showed me that there is a huge
show showed me that there is a huge difference between a dangerous
difference between a dangerous
difference between a dangerous neighborhood and the systemically poor
neighborhood and the systemically poor
neighborhood and the systemically poor one and that there is good to be found
one and that there is good to be found
one and that there is good to be found in people from the highest to the lowest
in people from the highest to the lowest
in people from the highest to the lowest stations in life and that’s a lesson
stations in life and that’s a lesson
stations in life and that’s a lesson that I carried with me into Patna with
that I carried with me into Patna with
that I carried with me into Patna with this Bangkok neighborhood still filled
this Bangkok neighborhood still filled
this Bangkok neighborhood still filled with so many areas of struggle but I
with so many areas of struggle but I
with so many areas of struggle but I have found only good under the overpass
have found only good under the overpass
have found only good under the overpass and a lot of it like the many cat clubs
and a lot of it like the many cat clubs
and a lot of it like the many cat clubs have been a part of a community of
have been a part of a community of
have been a part of a community of volunteers working together to eliminate
volunteers working together to eliminate
volunteers working together to eliminate substandard housing in low-income areas
substandard housing in low-income areas
substandard housing in low-income areas or advocacy groups they give up like a
or advocacy groups they give up like a
or advocacy groups they give up like a voice to the underrepresented present
voice to the underrepresented present
voice to the underrepresented present opportunities for their stories to be
opportunities for their stories to be
opportunities for their stories to be heard but for me the best vine of this
heard but for me the best vine of this
heard but for me the best vine of this Bangkok community were the kids over the
Bangkok community were the kids over the
Bangkok community were the kids over the course of the last year
I’ve over the course the last two years
I’ve over the course the last two years I’ve had the opportunity to work with so
I’ve had the opportunity to work with so
I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many kids from local schools and temples
many kids from local schools and temples
many kids from local schools and temples many of you as well I’m sure um and as a
many of you as well I’m sure um and as a
many of you as well I’m sure um and as a leader of one of these groups that
leader of one of these groups that
leader of one of these groups that organizes monthly visits for children
organizes monthly visits for children
organizes monthly visits for children from the clonk toys loans we’ve been
from the clonk toys loans we’ve been
from the clonk toys loans we’ve been focusing on month on integrating monthly
focusing on month on integrating monthly
focusing on month on integrating monthly reading sessions for them and we start
reading sessions for them and we start
reading sessions for them and we start off each phone with a picture book
off each phone with a picture book
off each phone with a picture book reading and although I’m positive most
reading and although I’m positive most
reading and although I’m positive most of them have no idea what’s happening
of them have no idea what’s happening
of them have no idea what’s happening most of the time I get to see as these
most of the time I get to see as these
most of the time I get to see as these kids laugh and react and smile to the
kids laugh and react and smile to the
kids laugh and react and smile to the different characters and stories it
different characters and stories it
different characters and stories it showed me that storytelling really is
showed me that storytelling really is
showed me that storytelling really is beyond the surface level of what we
beyond the surface level of what we
beyond the surface level of what we depict it to be in essence it’s about
depict it to be in essence it’s about
depict it to be in essence it’s about sharing an experience connecting with
sharing an experience connecting with
sharing an experience connecting with people despite language or cultural
people despite language or cultural
people despite language or cultural barriers isn’t it crazy how we can make
barriers isn’t it crazy how we can make
barriers isn’t it crazy how we can make animated characters so relatable and
animated characters so relatable and
animated characters so relatable and believable enough to befriend a child
believable enough to befriend a child
believable enough to befriend a child because that’s what they were back then
because that’s what they were back then
because that’s what they were back then they were friends growing up with these
they were friends growing up with these
they were friends growing up with these characters I can still look back on them
characters I can still look back on them
characters I can still look back on them fondly and they may be fictional but if
fondly and they may be fictional but if
fondly and they may be fictional but if they can make a lonely child out there
they can make a lonely child out there
they can make a lonely child out there feel just a little bit less lonely than
feel just a little bit less lonely than
feel just a little bit less lonely than I think that’s really powerful so as
I think that’s really powerful so as
I think that’s really powerful so as much as I believe in children I mean as
much as I believe in children I mean as
much as I believe in children I mean as much as I believe in film
much as I believe in film
much as I believe in film I believe in children and their ability
I believe in children and their ability
I believe in children and their ability to love and learn and grasp meaning from
to love and learn and grasp meaning from
to love and learn and grasp meaning from what they watch generations after us
what they watch generations after us
what they watch generations after us need to be sustainable enough to mean to
need to be sustainable enough to mean to
need to be sustainable enough to mean to be brilliant enough to feed a global
be brilliant enough to feed a global
be brilliant enough to feed a global population that would be entirely
population that would be entirely
population that would be entirely unsustainable by 2050 and to do that
unsustainable by 2050 and to do that
unsustainable by 2050 and to do that kids are gonna need to believe that they
kids are gonna need to believe that they
kids are gonna need to believe that they can and that they should and that is
can and that they should and that is
can and that they should and that is where education kids media and
where education kids media and
where education kids media and storytelling you two intersect and if
storytelling you two intersect and if
storytelling you two intersect and if your teacher you can employees in your
your teacher you can employees in your
your teacher you can employees in your classrooms as well the creators of these
classrooms as well the creators of these
classrooms as well the creators of these animated films understand that the most
animated films understand that the most
animated films understand that the most important stories resonate with people
important stories resonate with people
important stories resonate with people because they appeal to some core truth
because they appeal to some core truth
because they appeal to some core truth about the human condition regardless of
about the human condition regardless of
about the human condition regardless of whether they’re told through the eyes of
whether they’re told through the eyes of
whether they’re told through the eyes of toys robots or even monsters they’re
toys robots or even monsters they’re
toys robots or even monsters they’re able to really empathize with their
able to really empathize with their
able to really empathize with their audiences to say we know you’re feeling
audiences to say we know you’re feeling
audiences to say we know you’re feeling this way now let us show you why you’re
this way now let us show you why you’re
this way now let us show you why you’re feeling this way and they do it in a
feeling this way and they do it in a
feeling this way and they do it in a manner that does
manner that does
manner that does sound so preacher condescending please
sound so preacher condescending please
sound so preacher condescending please try to teach emotional intelligence
try to teach emotional intelligence
try to teach emotional intelligence through story so by working with kids
through story so by working with kids
through story so by working with kids and watching far too many movies I’ve
and watching far too many movies I’ve
and watching far too many movies I’ve come to see that nothing matters more in
come to see that nothing matters more in
come to see that nothing matters more in developing a good person someone with an
developing a good person someone with an
developing a good person someone with an open mind and heart then being told you
open mind and heart then being told you
open mind and heart then being told you already are one so just keep swimming so
already are one so just keep swimming so
already are one so just keep swimming so soon after we’ve all been let out it’ll
soon after we’ve all been let out it’ll
soon after we’ve all been let out it’ll be time for you guys to film your
be time for you guys to film your
be time for you guys to film your friends giving speeches today or if
friends giving speeches today or if
friends giving speeches today or if you’re a parent take a blurry and poorly
you’re a parent take a blurry and poorly
you’re a parent take a blurry and poorly framed photo of your child to post on
framed photo of your child to post on
framed photo of your child to post on various family group chats but just
various family group chats but just
various family group chats but just remember it always comes back to home so
remember it always comes back to home so
remember it always comes back to home so I may not be the loudest person in this
I may not be the loudest person in this
I may not be the loudest person in this room and I may not have some grand story
room and I may not have some grand story
room and I may not have some grand story to share but not all movies are magic
to share but not all movies are magic
to share but not all movies are magic and mystery we watched movies about
and mystery we watched movies about
and mystery we watched movies about normal kids growing up and finding out
normal kids growing up and finding out
normal kids growing up and finding out what it’s like to be responsible for
what it’s like to be responsible for
what it’s like to be responsible for things we watched movies with minimal
things we watched movies with minimal
things we watched movies with minimal plot to appreciate the beautiful
plot to appreciate the beautiful
plot to appreciate the beautiful cinematography perfectly
cinematography perfectly
cinematography perfectly color-coordinated scenes or maybe that
color-coordinated scenes or maybe that
color-coordinated scenes or maybe that last parts just me and I’m speaking here
last parts just me and I’m speaking here
last parts just me and I’m speaking here today when I normally wouldn’t for the
today when I normally wouldn’t for the
today when I normally wouldn’t for the fear of people thinking about what I say
fear of people thinking about what I say
fear of people thinking about what I say and being too overly critical in myself
and being too overly critical in myself
and being too overly critical in myself because what I think is the greatest
because what I think is the greatest
because what I think is the greatest idea worth sharing is the idea that
idea worth sharing is the idea that
idea worth sharing is the idea that every story is worth telling from the
every story is worth telling from the
every story is worth telling from the silver screens to the intimacy of
silver screens to the intimacy of
silver screens to the intimacy of late-night conversations we have during
late-night conversations we have during
late-night conversations we have during sleepovers in front of the telly from a
sleepovers in front of the telly from a
sleepovers in front of the telly from a shout to a whisper an epic theater
shout to a whisper an epic theater
shout to a whisper an epic theater monologue to a 10-minute TED talk all
monologue to a 10-minute TED talk all
monologue to a 10-minute TED talk all the way down to a single word you all
the way down to a single word you all
the way down to a single word you all have a story to tell so tell it thank
have a story to tell so tell it thank
have a story to tell so tell it thank you
you
you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
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