Plan
Your Digital Video The
planning stage is perhaps the most critical step to producing a successful
video. You may work with a team and be assigned to a student
role, or you may produce an individual video. Yet, no matter who you are
working with, time-consuming errors can be avoided by spending the necessary
time to make a clear plan.
In videography, the planning process is known as Pre-Production. Various types of planning activities may be used, but here are some common practices to follow:
DEVELOP the PROJECT IDEA
Choose a subject of interest
to you and your team, but also consider what your video is aimed to teach.
Brainstorm project ideas that meet your
teacher guidelines and that can be researched. Then, review the ideas to determine
what can be reasonably developed with available resources (props, costumes,
time, etc.)
“What can your video teach people?”
“Is the topic likely to be of interest to people who may watch the video?”
“Are the resources available to capture the idea on film?”
“What research time may be required?”
PITCH the PROJECT IDEA
Seek approval for your
video project before moving to the next planning steps. Your teacher may act
as, or appoint, an Executive Director who will review and approve video ideas.
Use the “pitch” Video Project Proposal
form, plus supply any additional information that your Executive Director
may require, such as a project budget. You may be able to present your idea
to the class for feedback. Keep in mind you may need to revise and resubmit
your pitch to gain final approval.
SCHEDULE
After your project proposal is approved, your team will need to establish timelines for the entire project. Some digital video project tasks happen at the same time, so it is important that every team member knows their role and understands exactly when their tasks need to be complete. If deadlines are missed, then this will increase the number of hours on a project, which will increase a budget and delay final completion. It is a good idea for every team member to use a blank calendar and establish agreed-upon due dates. At this time, the Director and/or Producer should establish regular team meeting dates to review progress, to review the product, and to accommodate for changes based on team feedback. When setting the initial schedule, be realistic - if possible provide time between critical dates to allow for some "comfort zone."
RESEARCH
After your project idea
has been approved, begin to fully research your topic. You may have investigated
a few topic ideas already to see what content might have been available. Now
it is time to seriously research to ensure that your video will include credible
information. As part of your video, always include Credits or Works Cited
to document where facts were obtained. Showing where facts were gathered allows
people to further research the topic if they choose. To obtain your facts,
start with GUHSD’s
Online Research.
An excellent example
of a well-researched project is a video titled, “Sweatshops.”
The student author, Connie Molina, conveys important facts about the plight
of corporate factory workers. This social problem is dramatically brought
to our attention with use of research and well-planned video production.
WRITE/REVISE SCRIPT
Depending on the style of video you choose, you may or may not need to complete all scripting prior to filming. For example, an advocacy video, such as a opinion-based skit, may have dialogue that must be written prior to any filming. While historical videos may have more research material that needs to be paraphrased and can take place before and/or during filming. Research-based text might be used for overlaying narration or showing fact-based captions on screen during the editing process. Even if parts of a script can be written after the official planning process, the written content obviously needs to match the storyboard and the actual shoot.
STORYBOARD
Storyboards depict and
describe the action that will take place in each scene. Storyboards need to
be constructed as part of good planning to show what you and/or your team
has agreed will take place in each shot. Storyboards number each shot, also
referred to as a "take," and also document camera angles, lighting,
timing, and other details The video story will be told shot by shot on paper
as sketches to aid in communication of ideas before filming begins. The storyboard
document is used as the picture script for production.
Storyboards need team and Executive Director approval. Here are two storyboard templates that you may want to use - Storyboard A or Storyboard B. If you are working with a team, you may be researching, writing rough scripts, and working on sets and props at the same time, then meeting for agreement of materials and next steps.
Note: Prior to the start of production, your student Director (or designee) will need to collect parent/student permission for Internet publishing of video.
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