Video Storytelling

Principles and Techniques

Identify and time in terms of:•Exposition•Rising action•Climax•Resolution

Structure of a story (in 120 seconds)

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

Reflection

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

Reflection

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

ActionsActions

Reflection

Reflection

Model I Model 2

A-Roll & B-Roll

• A-Roll: Primary footage. The main line of footage that strings visuals together.

• B-Roll: Supplemental or alternate footage intercut with the main shot in an interview or documentary (Wikipedia).

Camera work: Building a visual sequence

What do you think?

The 5 (or 6) Shot Method

1. Hands (close-up)2. Face (close-up; expression)3. Hands and face together (medium)4. Over the shoulder (medium)5. Environment shot (wide)6. Creative shot (often not wide)

What about this one?

Interview:Camera Position

<5 ft.

Framing Visual Variety

Subject #1 Subject #2

Shooting: Jumping all over

Shooting: Room for editing

5 Seconds5 Seconds 5 seconds5 seconds

ACTION

ACTION REACTION

What if your story

• doesn’t involve a lot actions?• doesn’t have a climax?• happens in a 500 square feet indoor place?• has no excitement?

How would you characterize a good video news story?

Why did I pick that story?

Textbook (p.229, 237)

Class discussion

Pre-interview techniques• Do research and write down all your questions.• Put your camera away for a while before shooting.• Pick a relatively quite place and notice the

background.• “Chitchat” briefly with your subject.

– Make both comfortable and closer– Notice anything that can turn into interview questions.

Pre-interview techniques (II)

• Inform the subject of the kinds of questions– Don’t give the whole list of questions; you will

need fresh nuances.– Give the subject something to think about while

you set up your camera.

• Test a short clip before the interview (check lighting, composition, sound, etc.)

Video interview techniques• Get name/spelling/title first• Ask questions that elicit complete statements – You

need them!– Avoid short-answer question, i.e. “How many… How

long… What kind…”– Complete answer questions, i.e. “Tell me about…Take me

through…Can you explain…”

• Use compound questions, i.e. where were you when the tornado came through and what happened?

• Ask follow-up questions for in-depth info.

Dumb Dog: Quiet Way of Asking Questions

Video interview techniques (II)

• KEEP QUIET while your subject is speaking.– Absolutely NO voice confirmation– Nodding will suffice

• Subject finishing talking 5 seconds quiet Next question

• General (abstract) to specific (emotional, touchy, or personal) questions.

• “Anything else?”

Tips on shooting with a Flipcam/iPhone

• Steady, steady, steady• Shoot horizontally• Do NOT pan or zoom, unless you have a

compelling reason• Make your point, and move on• Avoid shooting in dim light