CREATING A SHORT VIDEO

My video

Why creating a video? Why creating a video?

PHASES OF VIDEO PHASES OF VIDEO PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION

PRE-PRODUCTIONPRE-PRODUCTION

1. Determine the goal/objective of your video:

what do you hope your video will achieve?

What should viewers be able to do after

watching it?

2. Define your target audience (peers, general

public, etc.)

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3. Decide on the content: what do you want to

tell or show to your viewers?

4. Define the video length: keep it short as

engagement drops sharply after 5 min.

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4. Choose the type of video: What kind of video

best suits your interests?

A drama?

A narration?

An interview?

A tutorial?

A documentary?

…?

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5. Script the dialogue and/or narration (describe

what’s happening and what’s being said):

It helps you focus on the needs of your

potential viewers and on the message you’re

trying to convey.

It saves time and reduces errors.

Writing style:

Be succinct and specific.

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Write simple and easy-to-understand

sentences. Each sentence should

focus on one particular idea.

Indicate the beginning and the end of each

scene.

Include scene headings (the setting, the time

of day, or whether it’s an interior or exterior).

They are written in caps.

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A character’s name should be written in all

caps only when that character first appears in

the script.

Include parenthetical remarks:

An attitude, verbal direction or action

direction for the actor who is speaking the

part.

Short and to the point.

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Only used when absolutely necessary.

Not centred under the character’s name.

OLIVIA

(sleepily)

What? What time is it?

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You can include transitions (not common in

a script as they are supposed to be the

director’s job, so part of the shooting script –

placed on the right side of the page).

Have a look at this sample script:

http://www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/

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Important note: You don’t need a long text to

convey your message. You can rely on images to

do it. Here’s a video on article 19 of the CRC that

barely has any text. Click on the image to watch

it.

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6. Use music, natural sounds and special

effects.

7. Choose camera shot types (also part of the

shooting script – director’s job). The basic

ones are:

Extreme wide shots (EWS)

Wide shots (WS)

Medium shots (MS)

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Medium close-ups (MCU)

Close-ups (CU)

Extreme close-ups (EUC)

Picture found at http://www.thewildclassroom.com/wildfilmschool/gettingstarted/camerashots.html

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8. Choose camera shot angles (shooting script –

Director’s job). The basic ones are:

Eye-level angle (subject’s eye level – not

yours)

High angle (the camera looks down on the

subject )

Low angle (the camera looks up at the

subject)

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If you go for an educational or promotional

video, one of the best formats to follow is:

Introduction (Grab your viewers’ attention.

State clearly what the video is going to be

about.)

Body (Provide details about the topic.)

Conclusion ( Summarize the main points.)

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9. Develop a storyboard (It helps you visualize

your thinking):

Sketch a rough representation of the main

scenes that you want to capture during

shooting. You can use basic shapes, stick

figures, symbols and simple backgrounds.

Include captions that describe video shots and

their accompanying audio or narration.

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Storyboard with stick figures:

Picture found at http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource/

PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION

1. Shoot your video:

Use a tripod – Shaky videos are no fun to

watch. If you don’t have a tripod, you can,

for example, lean against a wall, put the

camera on top of a trashcan, etc.

Film 5 seconds before and after what you

actually want to film. It will help when you

come to edit.

PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION

Avoid filming in the shade or partial light.

When shooting indoors bring as much light

into the room as you can.

Place the light in front of the subject (lighting

behind will cause faces to be dark).

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NOTE: Of course you don’t have to make a “live-

action” video. You can go for an animation video

or make it from pictures you’ve selected. You can

also combine movie clips with still images, etc.

PRODUCTIONPRODUCTION

Get the best sound you can:

Use an external microphone if your

camera doesn’t have a strong-built-in

micro.

Use a wind shield when filming outdoors.

Avoid background noise.

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1. Edit your video:

Pick a video-editing software of your choice.

Put the scenes together, add music, edit

sounds, add special effects and add credits:

Keep the sound at the same volume

throughout the video; Add music under

voice.

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While adding text, use a font that is easy

to read and keep away from the edges of

the video/screen.

2. Share your video: Upload it to a video-sharing

website (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

REFERENCESREFERENCES

• http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wc024 (Producing an educational video)

• http://www.whitman.edu/content/wcts/support/advanced/video-basics (Creating a video for a class assignment)

• http://www.scriptwritingsecrets.com/Scene_Headings.htm (Scriptwriting - scene headings)

• http://www.serif.com/appresources/MPX5/Tutorials/en-gb/tutorials/basics_storyboarding.htm (Storyboard)

• http://www.princeton.edu/scienceaction/filming-essentials/Storyboarding-Video-Production.pdf (Storyboard)

REFERENCESREFERENCES

•http://www.thewildclassroom.com/wildfilmschool/gettingstarted/camerashots.html (Shot types)•http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/ (Shot types)•http://www.serif.com/appresources/MPX5/Tutorials/en-gb/tutorials/basics_shottypes.htm#MT_ShotAngles (Shot types and angles)