Video Tip Sheet (Cumulative) LTLE 376 Video for Learning

Ryan Diviney

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Part 1 - Think Like a Director (pp. 1- 54) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Your experience is the same as everyone elses, if youre bored, the audience is too No matter the topic, if the video is poorly made the audience will not pay attention Look for trends/patterns in videos you find entertaining Before filming be sure to understand why you are filming that topic Every video needs intent whether simple or complex Brainstorm a list of what you want your video to accomplish In addition to your brainstorm list, add why the audience should care for each fact Think ahead of time of the scenery, angles and equipment you want to utilize in your video Identify the specific audience you are targeting, this helps to make the video more interesting when focused on a specific grouping of people Consider Who, What, When, Where, and Why in terms of your audience before shooting When choosing a topic, decide first if it is something you would pay to go see Developing the story is the most important aspect of the video and is what draws people in Remember the 4 elements of a story: the hero, beginning, middle and the end Think in shots, cutting shots together gives the video more meaning Keeping films short is good. The less filler scenes the more interesting the film Part 2 Preparation The Secret of the Pros (pp. 55-80) 26 Pitch it- be able to pitch your story to others, this helps them help you 55 20 21 22 23 23 25 29 31 34

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Practice pitching YouTube/ videos and then apply techniques to your videos Presenting the genre first helps establish the mindset Never underestimate the power of humor, it can instantly keep the audiences attention Make a list of possible elements that will help you get your message across when filming Write out a script for your video with dialogue, also add the description of the location for different scenes and dialogue. In reference to text, Less is more. Do not add fillers Have someone else read the script out loud to determine which scenes are weak Part 3 Setting the Stage (pp. 81-94)

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It Is important to create a storyboard to give a frame by frame idea of what your vision is going to look like Even professional directors walk through their shots ahead of time Look around for potential actors who would make interesting subjects. If you do not have the right performers your video will not be successful Find out what your actors are comfortable doing and the things that they are not comfortable with, and also to go over what is expected of them. Work hard to find out how to make the most of the location you are shooting in. You cannot always choose where you can shoot, so know your limitations. Test your equipment; Using the wrong camera, even if its too much camera, can make your video worse. Every director has to make choices, so make sure you know your own standards of what good and bad video are. Part 4 How to Shoot Video That Doesnt Suck (pp. 95-156)

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Thinking ahead as you shoot will help the video flow and be more natural. In-camera editing helps develop quick thinking and better shooting Attempt to shoot to tell a three shot story The focus of the shot is very important in determining how the shot will be portrayed The focus of a shot does not always need to be a person, it can also be an object or thing.

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Identify the hero of the shot and shoot them from multiple different angles to create a dynamic feel. Know your camera and make it your friend it leads to better shooting Using digital effects and zoom pixilates the shot, so TURN IT OFF and dont use it. Make use of cuts in the film. By shortening the scenes, you grasp the viewers attention, and makes their brains put meaning to the change in scene. Make sure to include the subjects eyes in the shot. If not, you are missing a major aspect of the interaction. Shooting with a static camera lets all the focus lie in the action of the scene. Try putting the camera down on a stand, this will make you actually think about what you are shooting. Part 5 Special Projects and How to Shoot Them (pp. 157-194)

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When shooting a scene about vacation, the people in the scene are more interesting then the scenery around them. Interviews: if you are well prepared you will be more relaxed, therefore making your talent more relaxed. When using a webcam, consider your backdrop that will be seen in the video. Shoot action scenes with multiple cameras, from multiple angles, multiple times. This will give you an assortment of media to pick and choose from. Do not use slang or jargon, the viewer may not understand it causing confusion. Keep your target audience in mind when designing how you are going to shoot the video. The product should fulfill the customers wants and desires even if that is different from your own. Part 6 After the Shoot1 (pp. 195-227)

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The first step in editing is cutting out the useless fat that is obviously not going to be used. Less is more. Do not include extra length or a scene unless it is good. It can ruin your entire movie. Part 7 Wrapping It Up (pp. 229-240)

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A video is never finished, it is just taken away.

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