This document outlines an assignment for students to create a 30-second visual story using only 7 words and 7 different camera shots/angles. It discusses the origin of the 7-word story challenge and lists the basic camera shots. The objective is for students to work in groups to write a 7-word story, plan shots, shoot footage for each other, and individually edit their videos. Students will learn concise writing, camera techniques, scripting, editing, and the project will be assessed through checklists and peer/self evaluations.

1. David Shabazz
Kentucky State University
7-Word Story
BEA IGNITE

2. 7-Word Visual Story
By:
David L. Shabazz
Assistant Professor of Journalism
Kentucky State University

3. What is a 7-word visual story?
±The 7-Word Visual Story derives from the
legend of author Ernest Hemingway’s
challenge to write a complete story using
only six words.
±According to the legend, he came up with:
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

4. Why seven instead of six?
Significant number across religions and cultures
±Seven days of the week
±Seven notes on the musical scale
±Seven oceans and continents
±Seven colors of the rainbow
±Seven basic camera shots and angles

5. Objective
±Create a :30 visual story
°The story/theme must be 7 words
°The visual story must use 7 different camera
shots/angles
± Establishing, wide/long, medium, close-up, ECU,OTS, POV (usually birds eye or
worms eye)

6. Focus
±In addition to learning basic camera shots and angles,
students learn to write a short concise sentence
essential for broadcasting and work as a team to
produce the final video. Additionally, students learn to
write and shoot video that follows a script, use basic
editing techniques that reflect the script, and use
appropriate audio (music, SFX, etc.) to enhance the
video.

7. Basic Camera Shots and Angles
± Establishing shot
± Wide/long shot
± Mid/Medium shot
± Close-Up shot
± Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
± Over-the-shoulder (OTS)
± Point of View (POV)

8. Instructions
± Students individually create their own original story using
only seven (7) words.
± Next, students work in groups of 2-3 to plan the shots and
create a script or storyboard for each members project.
± Still in groups, students shoot footage for each other.
± Individually, each student edits audio and video story into
a 30 second video.
± Projects have two weeks for completion.

9. Learning Objectives
± Write short but concise, conversational style themes/stories
± Become familiar with basic camera shots and angles
± Create shooting scripts and storyboards for video projects
± Edit footage into a complete story or theme

10. Assessment
± Formative:
± Students use a checklist to ensure quality on all three
phases: pre-production, production and post.
± Summative:
± Group members evaluates each other
± Students write a two paragraph reflection on the project.

11. examples
± https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=yp8-W5rFPVo

12. Thank you!