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Storytelling craft

An image of a handmade character in front of a table next to a fireplace.
An image of a handmade character in front of a table next to a fireplace.
'Burn Out', Lee Ricks, 2022 MA Character Animation, Central St. Martins, UAL

The AKO Storytelling Institute is a place to explore the craft of storytelling. Through research, creative practice and collaboration, we investigate new possibilities for narrative and audience experience.

Storytelling craft at the institute

We help storytellers strengthen their craft. We ask what form it needs. It might be linear, participatory, immersive or something else. Each has a different affordance and craft in storytelling. We experiment. We innovate. We believe this gives us new ways to hold attention and build connection.

Read our case studies to learn more about how we helping storytellers and find out more about how we can help you to tell your story.

Report: Short-form video for social justice

Short-form  video is a powerfull way for storytellers to reach mass audience. This report explores how social-justice content can move people from recognition to participation.

It looks at what works across TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. It offers practical ways to build attention, community, trust and action.

Read the AKO Storytelling Institute Short Form Video Report (PDF 9KB).

A three-panel social media storyboard shows an outdoor journey beneath a star-filled night sky, with a person climbing a rocky hillside, pausing under colourful lights, and ending with the message: “Rest Is Resistance. It’s time to switch off.”
Friends of the Earth, "REST IS RESISTANCE" (Instagram).

Toolkit: Short-form video for social justice

Our report is now available as a game to put the research into action. It's modular designed for creative education, workshops, team trainings, and solo practice.

The game's main argument is that effective short-form social justice storytelling is not only about stopping the scroll but about helping audiences move from attention to community, trust, and meaningful participation.

Download the Short-Form Video Game (PDF 443KB).

A three-panel social media storyboard features a person speaking directly to camera about concerns over AI training and authors’ rights, with on-screen text including “Meta stole my book” and calls to action from organisations such as the Authors Guild and Change.org.
Mikaela Loach, "Meta stole my book" (Instagram).

Report: Vocalize

What happens when your voice is no longer under your control?

'Vocalize' is an immersive performance set inside a fictional talent agency. Participants record a voice reel guided by an AI version of Stephen Fry. Then the experience took an unexpected turn. They heard their own cloned voice say things they had never said

This report examines the effects of this immersive experience. How it made the risks of synthetic media feel immediate, personal and real. And how it increased awareness of how AI can manipulate identity, consent and trust.

'Vocalize' shows the power of audience as protagonist. The power of personalisation and the importance of a trusted messenger.

Explore how immersive storytelling can build critical awareness, spark dialogue and support public agency in the age of AI. Read our report Evaluating an Immersive Intervention on AI Voice Cloning and Digital Trust (PDF 851KB).

An image of a dark hallway with a neon sign at the end reading
Vocalize immersive performance space at Hay Festival | Photograph: Shooting Reels