This document provides guidance on creating pocket videos using a three step process of pre-production, production, and post-production. It emphasizes that pre-production is the most important step, where the story is developed and a script and production plan are created. Tips are provided for each step, such as storyboarding, planning shots and equipment in pre-production, and organizing footage and mapping an edit in post-production. The goal is to help people develop compelling stories and tell them effectively with portable video equipment on a budget.

1. Pocket Video Producer
Using Video to Tell Amazing Stories

2. About Me
• TV Producer - 23 years
• Web and Digital Video Specialist - 15 years
• Prof - Interactive Multimedia Developer
and Social Media Certificate Programs

3. What We’ll Learn
• Visual Storytelling and Concept Development
• Technical Considerations
• Scripting Techniques
• Planning Your Production
• Q and A and Brainstorming your Project

4. Some Examples
• World Without Humanities (Narrative Style)
• Forever LSU (Conceptual)
• Oregon State Engineering (Interview Style)

5. What’s Your Story?
• Every great video begins with a story
• Every idea has a story waiting to be told
• How do I find my story?

6. What are some of the
elements of a
good story?

7. A good story has a
beginning, a middle
and an end.

8. A good story
sparks emotion

9. A good story
provokes thought

10. If you tell a good story,
you’ll get attention.

11. If you tell a good story,
you’ll get attention.
So how do you tell a
good story?

12. You have to know
where you want to
go in order to
figure out how to
get there.

13. The Production Process
• Production is a Pre-Production
three-step process
• Often, people forget
about pre-
production Production
• Pre-production is
the storytelling step
and is the MOST
IMPORTANT! Post-Production

14. The Production Process
Pre-Production
Production works on
the 80/20 rule: 80
percent of your work Production
is in the pre-
production step!
Post-Production

15. How to Win at Pre-Production
• Get Perspective: How are you going to tell
the story? (is it first person? A narrative
tale? An art video? A retrospective?)
• Map it out: What are you going to to to tell
the story? (a clear roadmap of how you’re
going to shoot - storyboard or script)
• Plan it out: When, and where, and what do
you need to shoot?

16. Scene Breakdown Map
SCENE TECH PEOPLE PROPS
SCENE II: INT. Camera Camera Op Coffee Pot
NIGHT: Jon comes Tripod Director Coffee Cup
into the kitchen 2x work lights with Audio Bathrobe
wearing a bathrobe stands Actor (Jon)
and pours himself a Boom mic and pole
cup of coffee.
• Group your scenes in ways that make sense (e.g.
group all kitchen scenes together)
• Plan it in advance - never wait till you get to
location to figure out what to shoot!

17. Tips for a Smooth Production Day
• Make sure you’ve got all the equipment you need
• Bring extra copies of the script
• Get there early!
• Strive for controlled chaos
• Keep detailed notes as you shoot to make editing
easier (recruit your most organized friend!)
• Hydrate!

18. Suze’s No-Slip Grip Bag

19. Camera
You don’t need to
drop $1000 on a
camera
Many phone
cameras these days
are HD!

20. Tripod
Have an option
available to
stabilize your
camera
Again, it doesn’t
have to cost a
fortune!

21. Lighting
• Shoot outdoors if possible
• Control existing light or use work lights or desk lamps

22. Audio
• Camera mics can work in close quarters
• Use an external audio recorder or microphone ideally
• Minimize background noise for best results

23. Hit the hardware store!
• You can never have enough duct tape and clothespins
on hand!

24. Post Production
• There are a number of simple editing tools
• Windows Movie Maker, iMovie are great and FREE!
• Adobe Premiere, Final Cut are not free and more
advanced
• Use the tools you feel most comfortable with

25. Tips for Smooth Editing
• If you’ve done a good job with your script and
have taken good notes when shooting, editing will
be smooth!
• Map your edit out on paper first - pick the best
clips and be organized before you start.

26. A Word on Copyright
• Ensure your music and images are not subject to
copyright
• You can use images and music licensed under
CreativeCommons.org (provided you give
attribution)
• Creative Commons images: www.compfight.com
• Creative Commons (podsafe) music: Free Music
Archive, MusOpen.org, iBeat.org

27. Just Hit Publish!
• Publish your video
• Start promoting
(more on this next
week with Patti!)

28. Your next steps:
1) Figure out your story (brainstorm and write it down!).
2) Figure out how you want to tell your story (your
perspective).
3) Pre-production: Prepare your script scene by scene, listing
action, equipment, props and people. Plan the logistics of your
production.
4) Production: Have a smooth shoot!
5) Post production: Map out your edit on paper before you
start editing
6) Publish: Get your video up on YouTube and tell the world!