The Power of Images

The Brian Shipman Theory of Video:

“A little video, plus a little audio, and before you know it we’ve got a story!”

VIDEO STORYTELLING

The Small Stuff

Me……. You probably know my wife.

Sometimes she claims to know me

Giving Back

“I don’t know why you help with videos and do them for

free. It really makes it difficult for those of us who need to charge for our services…….”

What Kind of Video & Why

Program – Explains your mission and group

Event – Feature upcoming and past events to create interest

Fundraising – Why you need funds and how they’re used

Impact – Examples of how your group has made a difference - POV

Be Creative Concept – What is your message and

who is your target audience? What tools and options do you have? Do you have any budget? Discs and

other items still cost a little How will you deliver your message?

Broadcast PSA, appearances at civic groups, special event, person-to-person, internet, delivered DVD……..

Who Will Produce/Edit?

Look within your agency and Board

Schools – Kids know how it all works. Some need community service projects.

Broadcast groups and agencies Your family You!

The Message

Determine mission & develop a script

Shelf life. How long will you keep it?

Who will deliver? Who’s your talent?

Stick to your message Keep it simple yet interesting

The Message - Script What is the goal? Think of who your audience and

delivery method is Conversationally & within time Tell a story. Beginning, middle,

end. Data & graphics “In their own words.” The “Call to action.”

The Message

Keep it short. 5 - 7minutes is long enough (But consider who your audience is and platform.)

Have others read and review. Make changes and be open to suggestions

Finalize and read again for timing

Technology Is Your Friend

Technological advancesSmaller camerasPhones and Flip videoDigital SLR camerasEditing on computersSharing your production

A “Simple” Plan

Audience and delivery method Determine your topic and content Develop script Locate talent or voice work Write script or important points on

que cards or possibly a computer. Rehearse and refine

Talent & Scripting

Rehearse until they feel comfortable Make script changes as you go along Some wording may not make sense

or may cause problems for talent. Be flexible

Make the talent comfortable Have them properly attired and

framed well Can you hear them?

The Setting & Camera Determine location and make sure

it’s available. Is it appropriate for content?

No distractions Look at the background. Clutter,

strange things behind talent. Unnecessary movements

Frame them and position camera correctly

Use the cameras monitor or external one

Moving shot? Practice!

The Darrell Barton Rules of Videography

1. Make it louder2. Make it brighter

Audio

Limit distractions. If you can hear it, it will be on the recording

Microphones – Use one if possible. If not limit the distracting sounds and speak up

Monitor the audio. Headphone or speaker? Record & playback

Audio

Record voice track separately in a quiet setting

Don’t overuse music Check levels

The Image

Use a tripod to stabilize the cameraIf it looks shaky when you shoot it,

it will be shaky when you edit Shot composition

Avoid windows and back-lit situations

Look at the setting in your viewfinder or a monitor

Adjust and move what you don’t like

The Image Interviews

Be at same level as the interview Have interviewer sit to the side of the

camera. Even if it’s the operator. Remember shot composition and

distractions Make them look good

Adjust clothing, hair, etc. Framing and talent issues

Leave headroom Crop the shot to look pleasing Eye-level with talent

The Image

On Camera Talent Segments Do run-through shoots on camera Record them. One of them might be the

best one. They also make for blooper material.

Identify the take you liked. Hand, paper, something to make it recognizable.

Cover shots – “B-roll”

Plan ahead for editing Know what video you need to have Write to your video if possible

Pans & Zooms Avoid if possible or limit.

If there are repetitive actions, Shoot a sequence

Overshoot-”Better safe than sorry” It’s better to have too much than not enough You won’t need all of it Keep the camera rolling after the shot is over to

help with editing

Editing – The “Magic”

Platforms Mac or PC

System Requirements Digitizing for work

Storage Use separate drive if possible. Video can be a

“memory hog.”

Editing – The “Magic”FREE VIDEO SOFTWARE

VideoSpirit Pro

Nero Multimedia Suite 11

CyberLink PowerDirector

VideoPad Video Editor

AoA Video Joiner

DebugMode Wax

Zwei-Stein

Avidemux

Applei Movie

Editing – The “Magic”CyberLink PowerDirector

Apple iMovie

Windows MovieMaker

Video Audio

Apple Final Cut Pro

Graphics and Effects

Minimize effects if used. They can be distracting

Have names and titles spelled correctly

Extras

Photos: Use in place of or to enhance video.

Stock footage and images. Check for copyrights and credit requests.

Demo

Questions?

Patrick Mureithi