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Lights, Camera and Action - Your Video can make a significant impact! 🎬
So you've decided that you want to make a video to highlight your social issue and/or garner support for your innovative idea. First things first - the most important thing to consider is who you want your video to speak to. Thinking about who you want to see your video will determine its style and content. For example, the type of video you would make to talk to a teenage audience might look and feel very different to the one you create to target politicians (if that is your target audience).
Creating a storyboard is a great way to start visualising and planning your video. A storyboard is a graphic organiser. It is made up of a number of squares with illustrations and text that outline how a video will unfold, shot by shot.
Key Message
Think about the essential information to be included in your video. What do you want to achieve with this video? What is the goal and what is the call to action? Here's some things for you and your team to brainstorm.
- What is the social issue you chose to tackle and why?
- Why is change needed, and what change would you like to see?
- What is your innovative idea to bring about this change, and what actions are you / have you taken?
- Why should others care about your issue? What does it mean for people, communities and/or the environment here and around the world?
- Watch some examples produced by other YSI teams to inspire your creativity. (embedded Key messages video)
- You can also download the YSI video planner and storyboard template here
Location Matters 📍
Once you have a plan of what you want to record, think about where you might record it – your filming location. You might consider some unique places which will provide an exciting backdrop to your production. Check out the location inspiration pictures below to help spark ideas on where you might shoot your video. It could be somewhere iconic or meaningful to the issue you are addressing or the aims of your project. Likewise, it could be somewhere fun or quirky. You may even choose more than one location to film! Remember, you don’t have to venture too far! A quiet space within your school or home can be just as effective. Some things to consider when choosing a location.
Sound Quality 🎙️
When recording a video, it’s important that anyone speaking in your video can be heard. If the filming location is outside, be careful as the wind can cause poor sound quality. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on the forecast if you are planning on filming outside. If you have chosen an area in the school, make sure there is no background noise e.g. school bell, students moving between classes etc.
Lighting 💡
Make sure anyone featured in your video is well-lit so the audience can see them. Does the location have good natural lighting?
Permission 📝
You may need to seek permission to film in certain locations. Make sure to check this out and get permission if needed. It is always good to ask. Download our handy video location checklist here.
Shooting and Editing 🎬
Whether you are shooting your video using a phone, Go Pro or a professional camera, there are some handy tips and tricks that can increase the quality of your recorded footage. Check out this video by Séan Treacy an award-winning young filmmaker on shooting and editing. (embed Seán Treacy YouTube video)
Top Tip ⭐
Shooting your video in landscape mode will result in better-quality products and make your video easier to view online. See our Self-Shooting Guide for more top tips to guarantee better quality production. Download our self-shooting guide. If you want some tips on Filming in public spaces:
Tips, tricks, and etiquette, here are some suggestions from Adobe. Making videos for your social impact project is a great way to get your point across and a wonderful opportunity to try new creative story-telling techniques.
Enjoy the process! 🎞️
Video Making Tips with Seán Treacy
Seán Treacy is an award-winning eighteen-year-old filmmaker from Wicklow. He writes, directs, produces, shoots and edits all sorts of films, from narrative shorts to lengthy documentaries. Check out this video by Sean Treacy on scripting and storyboarding.
