CREATING A SHORT VIDEO My video

Why creating a video? Content shared in a powerful and engaging way Dynamic resource for supporting curricula Powerful tool to raise interest in a topic Visual and aural learners can store information more easily. Enhanced creativity and imagination Difficult concepts and ideas can be explained and learnt more easily. Improved digital, literacy and “real-life” skills

PHASES OF VIDEO PRODUCTION Pre-production Production Post-production

PRE-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.)

PRE-PRODUCTION 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.

PRE-PRODUCTION 4.Choose the type of video: What kind of video best suits your interests?  A drama?  A narration?  An interview?  A tutorial?  A documentary?  …?

PRE-PRODUCTION 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.

PRE-PRODUCTION  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.

PRE-PRODUCTION  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.

PRE-PRODUCTION  Only used when absolutely necessary.  Not centred under the character’s name. OLIVIA (sleepily) What? What time is it?

PRE-PRODUCTION  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: screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting/

PRE-PRODUCTION 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.

PRE-PRODUCTION 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)

PRE-PRODUCTION  Medium close-ups (MCU)  Close-ups (CU)  Extreme close-ups (EUC) Picture found at

PRE-PRODUCTION 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)

PRE-PRODUCTION  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.)

PRE-PRODUCTION 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.

PRE-PRODUCTION Storyboard with stick figures: Picture found at

PRODUCTION 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.

PRODUCTION  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).

PRODUCTION 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.

PRODUCTION  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.

POST-PRODUCTION 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.

POST-PRODUCTION  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.)

REFERENCES (Producing an educational video) dvanced/video-basics (Creating a video for a class assignment) dvanced/video-basics dings.htm (Scriptwriting - scene headings) dings.htm als/en-gb/tutorials/basics_storyboarding.htm (Storyboard) als/en-gb/tutorials/basics_storyboarding.htm essentials/Storyboarding-Video-Production.pdf (Storyboard) essentials/Storyboarding-Video-Production.pdf

REFERENCES l/gettingstarted/camerashots.html (Shot types) l/gettingstarted/camerashots.html (Shot types) als/en- gb/tutorials/basics_shottypes.htm#MT_ShotAng les (Shot types and angles) als/en- gb/tutorials/basics_shottypes.htm#MT_ShotAng les