Pocket Video ProducerUsing Video to Tell Amazing Stories
About Me
• TV Producer - 23 years
• Web and Digital Video Specialist - 15 years
• Prof - Interactive Multimedia Developer and Social Media Certificate Programs
What We’ll Learn
• Visual Storytelling and Concept Development
• Technical Considerations
• Scripting Techniques
• Planning Your Production
• Q and A and Brainstorming your Project
Some Examples
• World Without Humanities (Narrative Style)
• Forever LSU (Conceptual)
• Oregon State Engineering (Interview Style)
What’s Your Story?
• Every great video begins with a story
• Every idea has a story waiting to be told
• How do I find my story?
What are some of the elements of a good story?
A good story has a beginning, a middle
and an end.
A good story sparks emotion
A good story provokes thought
If you tell a good story, you’ll get attention.
If you tell a good story, you’ll get attention.
So how do you tell a good story?
You have to know where you want to
go in order to figure out how to
get there.
The Production Process
• Production is a three-step process
• Often, people forget about pre-production
• Pre-production is the storytelling step and is the MOST IMPORTANT!
Pre-Production
Production
Post-Production
The Production Process
Production works on the 80/20 rule: 80 percent of your work is in the pre-production step!
Pre-Production
Production
Post-Production
How to Win at Pre-Production
• Get Perspective: How are you going to tell the story? (is it first person? A narrative tale? An art video? A retrospective?)
• Map it out: What are you going to to to tell the story? (a clear roadmap of how you’re going to shoot - storyboard or script)
• Plan it out: When, and where, and what do you need to shoot?
Scene Breakdown Map
• Group your scenes in ways that make sense (e.g. group all kitchen scenes together)
• Plan it in advance - never wait till you get to location to figure out what to shoot!
SCENE TECH PEOPLE PROPSSCENE II: INT. NIGHT: Jon comes into the kitchen wearing a bathrobe and pours himself a cup of coffee.
CameraTripod2x work lights with standsBoom mic and pole
Camera OpDirectorAudioActor (Jon)
Coffee PotCoffee CupBathrobe
Tips for a Smooth Production Day
• Make sure you’ve got all the equipment you need
• Bring extra copies of the script
• Get there early!
• Strive for controlled chaos
• Keep detailed notes as you shoot to make editing easier (recruit your most organized friend!)
• Hydrate!
Suze’s No-Slip Grip Bag
Camera
You don’t need to drop $1000 on a camera
Many phone cameras these days are HD!
Tripod
Have an option available to stabilize your camera
Again, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune!
Lighting
• Shoot outdoors if possible
• Control existing light or use work lights or desk lamps
Audio
• Camera mics can work in close quarters
• Use an external audio recorder or microphone ideally
• Minimize background noise for best results
Hit the hardware store!
• You can never have enough duct tape and clothespins on hand!
Post Production
• There are a number of simple editing tools
• Windows Movie Maker, iMovie are great and FREE!
• Adobe Premiere, Final Cut are not free and more advanced
• Use the tools you feel most comfortable with
Tips for Smooth Editing
• If you’ve done a good job with your script and have taken good notes when shooting, editing will be smooth!
• Map your edit out on paper first - pick the best clips and be organized before you start.
A Word on Copyright
• Ensure your music and images are not subject to copyright
• You can use images and music licensed under CreativeCommons.org (provided you give attribution)
• Creative Commons images: www.compfight.com
• Creative Commons (podsafe) music: Free Music Archive, MusOpen.org, iBeat.org
Just Hit Publish!
• Publish your video
• Start promoting (more on this next week with Patti!)
Your next steps:
1) Figure out your story (brainstorm and write it down!).
2) Figure out how you want to tell your story (your perspective).
3) Pre-production: Prepare your script scene by scene, listing action, equipment, props and people. Plan the logistics of your production.
4) Production: Have a smooth shoot!
5) Post production: Map out your edit on paper before you start editing
6) Publish: Get your video up on YouTube and tell the world!