TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Why Self Produce

Before You Start

Pre-Production

Dressing For the Camera

Before You Shoot

Shooting

Before You Edit

Editing

Wrapping Up

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WHY SELF-PRODUCE?

Video has so much power. Undoubtedly, you’ve seen this power at work. Remember the last time you logged onto Facebook? Videos everywhere! Videos of people’s children, music videos, comedy sketches, cat videos…whatever someone’s passion, there is a video for it.

We have a video studio here at UMFS and we’re ready to capture all of the big moments for you. But what about smaller projects? The studio belongs to the agency and that means it belongs to you!

When asking yourself if you should request to self produce, keep this in mind. Self-produced projects are typically for in-agency use and scripted, thus requiring minimal editing. If you want to record a speech, great! Do you need to record yourself teaching an online training, great? The studio can help you produce professional and brand-consistent videos!

Are you ready to learn more?

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Before You Start…To get the best result, you have to plan!

1. Self-produced videos are

typically for internal use. If you will be showing the video to people outside of the agency, you

must FIRST fill out the

Marketing Project Request form. (Check InSite under “Ask”.)

2. Decide on the format. Are you doing an instructional video? Are you seeking to entertain?

3. Check the studio schedule. Make sure that the Creative Production Manager knows when you want to shoot so we can have the studio prepped!

4. Get ready to have fun!

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PRE-PRODUCTION

Prepping for the production is essential. That way, once you’re in the studio and ready to shoot, you can shout “Roll ‘em!” and get your video done in no time flat.

First, you should determine

the purpose of your video. The best self-produced videos are ones that follow a specific script and require minimal editing.

Don’t be scared by the word “script.” You don’t have to memorize

anything if you don’t want to....that’s what the teleprompter is for! All you need for this is a Word document-- just submit it before your shoot and it will be ready to go by the time you’re ready to shoot.

Remember, the studio is under the gym and down there, you (and

the camera) can hear everything. Scheduling time to shoot is

essential. 12pm-12:30 is a great quiet time! Please give the gym teacher and/or Recreation Therapist adequate notice when you are shooting.

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WHAT (NOT) TO WEAR

• Stark White (Too Bright!)

• Solid Black (Too Dark!)

• Busy/Complex Patterns

• Bright Red, Pink, Orange

• Avoid High Contrast

• Loud Jewelry

DON’T Wear This

DO Wear This

• Cool Colors (Blue, Purple…)

• Solid Colors Work Best

• Subtle Patterns

• Navy, Grey, Brown (Neutral)

• Breathable Fabrics

• Simple Accessories

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Before You Shoot…Time to set your plan in motion!

• Make sure that your subject is comfortable and sitting/standing in position.

• Make sure they are framed

properly-- you need their chest and

face in the frame, not their whole body!

• Are you mic-ed? Make sure that if your subject is speaking, they’re wearing a microphone.

• Check the sound-- Don’t leave it to chance! Put those headphones on and make sure that sound is crisp and clear.

• Now it’s QUIET TIME-- the camera picks up everything!

• Hit that red button-- we’re

ROLLING!

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SHOOTING

The studio will be set up prior to your arrival-- most of the time, all you need to do is show up, hook up and you are ready to go!

There are tons of buttons on the camera— don’t worry, I know. There is no need to touch most of those buttons. The microphones will be set up and attached to the camera for you. Make

sure the microphone

is switched to the “on” position and

attach the mic to the lapel of the subject. Use the “thumb to pinky” rule. Extend your hand, placing you thumb on your chin and your pinky on your chest. You’ve located the perfect spot to

clip that microphone!

You have the option of reviewing your footage on the camera after you have finished recording, that way you can avoid any unexpected surprises after you’ve wrapped.

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Though the studio will be set for you when you arrive, knowing the “method being the madness” will help you to understand the why and make any necessary adjustments on your own with

CONFIDENCE!

One of the most important aspects of a compelling photo or video is its composition. Composition refers to the placement or arrangement of the visual elements in a work of art— be it a

painting, a photograph or a film. There is a simple and

fundamental rule that can guide you to create a strong composition— the “rule of thirds.” The rule of thirds asks you to imagine four intersecting lines, dividing the screen into nine equal parts.

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It is thought that an off-center subject is more pleasing to the eye in a composition. Think about it, a slightly unsymmetrical portrait probably looks more natural and active than one perfectly centered, with the subject staring straight ahead.

To apply the rule of thirds, take a good look at your grid and it’s

lines and intersections. Decide what the most important

elements of your composition are and align them near these areas. Take a look at the composition below:

The rule of thirds is in full effect here: Greg’s face is right in a corner, making this a dynamic and interesting composition.

Before You Edit…It’s time to put everything together!

• All of your footage will be in a

labeled folder on the desktop of the Studio computer. Make sure to review all of the footage before you start.

• Check the folder called “Assets”— there’s all sorts of elements that you can use in your videos!

• You’ll be using iMovie to create

this project— if you need a little help, follow this link. (https://www.apple.com/support/mac-apps/imovie/)

• Take some time to plan— Yup, it’s that time again! You’ve got all the elements, make sure you know how you’ll use them!

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EDITING

It might look intimidating at first, but really, editing is all

about attention and

patience.

Make sure you select the blank template for your movie: you want to keep it devoid of any effects or built-

in animations. iMovie is very user-friendly: if you have any experience with the Apple platform then you will be able to get a grasp on it in no time.

Your editing area will look something like this:

The top right hand area is where the clips that you shot will be. From there you can highlight the clips and drag them to the

timeline below. Re-ordering the clips can be done right there

on the timeline.

If you are bringing other elements in (like lower thirds and the

UMFS logo) then you can drag and drop those elements on

the timeline as well! The program is designed for the everyday user so there is no need to be intimidated. Again, you can visit https://www.apple.com/support/mac-apps/imovie/ for additional assistance.

When it is time to export the video, go to “File” —> “Share” and then select “File”. Select a resolution of 1280x720 and High Quality. Keep an eye on the size of the file, though!

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WRAPPING UP

Now that you have exported your production (a masterpiece, I’d

bet!), what to do with it? It’s time for the WEB! The studio maintains a site on vimeo.com, a video sharing site much like

YouTube. Vimeo offers users the ability to embed high

definition video into other websites as well as the ability to

download video— there’s no need to take up excess space on the server! The video can also be password protected; you are in complete control of your audience.

Won’t believe it till you see it? Check out this video (https://

vimeo.com/110273261), self-produced by the members of The Innovation Station!

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