Storytelling: My long-held passion
Me, circa 2005, holding one of my favorite DVDs (I was obsessed with physical media like disks and VHS tapes)
As a youngster I was obsessed with watching movies repeatedly. It was almost compulsive… I wore out many VHS tapes simply from watching them over and over again. Though, looking back, I can start to understand why an eight-year-old would do such a thing: I wanted to learn every aspect of the stories being told.
As an additional perk, I now know many absolutely useless movie quotes, so I suppose it was worth it…
One specific movie I watched on repeat was Fried Green Tomatoes, starring Kathy Bates. I would watch the movie and attempt to analyze what all the historical context provided to the tale of Idgie and Ruth. In my young mind, I had several questions: How does the movie effortlessly transition between modern day and the stories of 1930s Whistle Stop, Alabama? How do the characters develop and learn over time? How does the ending always make me tear up? I think I could answer just about any trivia question about the film… Funnily enough, Fried Green Tomatoes taught me much more about my passions and eventual career than a young Konner could’ve ever thought it would.
The great thing about stories, like Idgie and Ruth’s in Fried Green Tomatoes, is that they’re always evolving and being interpreted in varying ways. We as consumers use our prior experiences and knowledge to analyze the media (and stories) we take in. As a media-crazed little boy, I learned these skills of analyzation and storytelling early. Coincidentally, I still use these skills in my coursework and job experiences.
Alongside my compulsive movie watching, I naturally had urges to create my own stories as well.
I distinctly remember stealing my parents’ camcorder and recording vlog-like home movies of myself and my everyday happenings as a youngster. I’d then demand my family’s attention as I played them on the family television. These “films” certainly weren’t Oscar-worthy, but they built the foundational competencies that I still apply to my classes and work experiences today.
Further providing a basis for my passion and eventual career aspirations, I also loved collecting photos and memories in photobook form. This instinctive skill was something that would come in handy later when I became editor-in-chief of my high school yearbook. I still have several “self-published” construction paper bound books that I created as an elementary student that sit on the shelf alongside my professionally designed and printed works.
As part of my natural progression towards where I am today, as early as middle school, I started implementing these storytelling skills into my coursework and extra-curriculars.
For a bit of context: I grew up in the middle of a cornfield. My closest neighbors were some gravel roads and cows in a pasture. As a result of my school’s placement in a rural area, our arts programs and media curriculum were subpar. We didn’t even have a theatre or music department. In fact, the district doesn’t even have an auditorium. As a hard-headed and goal-oriented kid though, I made do with what I had and even developed new opportunities that students are still utilizing today.
In the eighth grade, I made my first big move towards independent project leadership: I pushed my book club sponsor to allow me to cultivate the school’s first video news program. How a school news program had anything to do with a middle school book club is beyond me, but she decided to endorse my crazy idea.
After deciding on the title of Hawk Flock News, I wrote scripts, recorded segments, and edited the final product for viewing by my middle school classmates. Looking back, it was certainly quaint, but it taught me the basic framework to many of the skills I still use today. And most importantly, it gave me an outlet for telling my stories to the “masses.” I would later resurrect Hawk Flock News in high school.
Me, circa 2020, holding the road sign that recognizes my national title in website design
As middle school went and high school came, I only increased my involvement and storytelling throughout my school and community. I dove headfirst into career-technical student organizations (like FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, and the National Beta Club) and concurrently dedicated myself to our few media programs, including the AV class and yearbook staff, both of which I led by senior year.
As high school wrapped and it became time to consider colleges, I knew that I wanted to study communications and media. The applicability of my skillset and love of storytelling could only be fulfilled by working within this segment. After deciding on DePaul University in Chicago and taking courses in their College of Communication, my intuitions and decisions were validated… I absolutely love it.
Me, circa 2020, announcing my decision to enroll at DePaul
Now that I’ve started the process of attaining my master’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising, I get to continue my love of storytelling and learn more about the analytical frameworks behind strategic communication.
Looking back on my days of binge-watching Fried Green Tomatoes on repeat, many of the same thoughts a young and curious Konner had back then are still present today. My obsession with media is ever-present, and my adoration for the stories that such media contains has increased tenfold. I still wonder about Idgie and Ruth, too.
I can’t wait to settle into a career that allows me to channel my skills and flex my creative muscle. My drive for success and natural curiosity will lend a helping hand along the way. I know that young Konner would be proud of the young professional that he’s become.
I am currently continuing my education at DePaul University in Chicago. To view my previous work, click here. To contact me, click here.
