Q&A with a Story Guru: Tom Clifford, Part 3

See Tom’s bio, photo, and Part 1 of this Q&A and Part 2.

Q&A with Tom Clifford (Question 3):

Q: How important is it to you and your work to function within the framework of a particular definition of “story?” (i.e., What is a story?) What definition do you espouse?

A: As a filmmaker, my definition of story is different from many others.

I think story is a journey that takes a person from “here” to “there.”

My work involves capturing a “story” as authentically, emotionally and as honestly as possible.

I have several ways of looking at “story.”

First, “story,” as I see it, is a point of view; it is a particular way of looking at life.

Second, “story” can be seen as a person narrating a sequence of events; first this happened, then that happened, etc.

Lastly, I see “story” as emotional connections one may have with someone else, a group of people or even a company.

If were ultimately to define “story” as a formula it would be this…

Story = Brand.