On The Page 940. Young Storytellers
Jun 13, 2025
Bill Thompson, President of Young Storytellers, shares insights into nurturing creativity among youth through screenwriting. He discusses their new report, Growing Pains, focusing on the unique experiences of Generation Alpha, digital natives shaped by technology. The conversation dives into shifting storytelling themes post-pandemic, emphasizing the rise of escapism and social justice in young narratives. Thompson highlights the organization’s efforts to expand beyond Los Angeles and the vital role of mentorship in empowering young voices.
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Origins of Young Storytellers
- Young Storytellers started 25 years ago as a grassroots effort by AFI graduate students bringing screenwriting to schools.
- It grew organically for six years before becoming an official nonprofit focused on empowering youth voices through storytelling.
Mentor's Role in Storytelling
- Mentors guide students by asking questions, not writing, to let the youth own their stories fully.
- Every story must have a clear structure with a beginning, middle, end, protagonist, goals, obstacles, and a lesson.
Prompting Kids Creatively
- Use kinesthetic play and theater games to get kids physically engaged before writing.
- Ask simple prompts like "if you could write about anything, what would it be?" followed by "and what happens next?" repeatedly.
