Exodus tells the story of Diana Ortiz, 45, who spent over half her life in prison.

She says it saved her.

Diana dropped out of high school at 18 to live with a man twice her age. To pay for their drug habit, her boyfriend devised a scheme to lure a man into a secluded Coney Island parking lot and rob him.

In the early hours of August 20, 1983, the robbery veered off-course and two men were shot. One was killed. Though Diana was not at the scene of the shooting, she was sentenced to 17 years to life for her role in the murder.

She served twenty-two and a half years.

While behind bars Diana earned her master's degree, developed a strong identity and self confidence. She is now an inspiration for other inmates, helping them to rebuild their lives.

This workshop story was inspired by the New York Times story about Diana Ortiz titled Convicted of Murder as Teenager and Paroled at 41.

Exodus is a product of the MediaStorm Storytelling Workshop, where participants work alongside MediaStorm staff to create an intimate, character-driven documentary in just one week. Learn more about upcoming MediaStorm workshops and online training at mediastorm.com/train.

Laurentiu Diaconu-Colintineanu, Photography, audio and video

If you want to have a life-changing experience with the best multimedia professionals in the whole world, if you want to be terrified of going back to your job because you just discovered the most meaningful way to do journalism, if you want to learn more than in a week that you have, probably, in your entire career so far, then you'd better close this window and start completing the application form NOW!!!

I arrived in Dumbo as a journalist and left being a dreamer. I dream of teams of professionals, of uniting each member's skills in order to create profound narratives. I dream of changing my professional life and making people care about human issues and stories. It was such a privilege to work with the entire team at MediaStorm, I still can't find the right words to describe it.

It was magnificent to rediscover that people let you enter their life and share their story with you. It was wonderful to know that you not only documented a story, but helped your subject change her life as well. You become part of that life-changing moment and part of a big family. How awesome is that?!

To sum things up: one week felt like one month because it was so rich with emotions, laughter, ups and downs, mistakes and success. There are so many moments going through my mind right now, that it's hard to find all the words. But I think it doesn't matter anyway, 'cause you guys will probably never get to read this far. By now, surely, you are navigating the application form, right?!

Natasha Elkington, Photography, audio and video

I don't think I have ever learned so much, worked so hard, sweated, laughed, cried, had so little sleep and lived a couple of lifetimes in only one week.

As I am writing this, the tears are coming because it was such and intense and amazing experience and now it's over... we are definitely not the same people we were before this course and we will never be same after this experience.

The week tested me in ways I did not think were possible. I learned more than I could even fathom and my passion for telling stories has only jumped a 1000 fold.

Training with MediaStorm has been one of the most grueling and rewarding experiences. I met so many amazing people from all walks of life and learned how to tell stories on a whole new level. I am definitely not the same person I was when I started the course. I'm happy to report, I really like this new me.

Exodus!!

Leah Thompson, Photography, audio and video

For me, the biggest take away from the MediaStorm Workshop was feeling a renewed charge to do my work better so the stories I am telling get the justice they deserve. To be entrusted with a story so personal, the responsibility was quite humbling. I left the workshop inspired and thankful that I am in a field where learning about other people's histories and perspectives is considered work - and also wishing I could be so productive every week of my life!

Re-thinking Reentry: MediaStorm Documentary: Diana Ortiz'

Prison Photography: Former Prisoner, Diana Ortiz, Inspires Confidence and Healing in Female Inmates

MediaStorm online training videos provide essential tools and techniques proven to enhance production and post-production. Created from years of live training experience, the online training videos provide useful tips no matter what your role.

MediaStorm's award-winning team of producers and cinematographers lead the online training videos with lessons learned from their experience producing films and training groups and organizations around the world.