Visual Storytelling: The five-shot method and beyond You don’t need to be a pro to use it! 20 minutes for presentation , 10 minutes for Q&A

(for videos you want to share) Common video issues (for videos you want to share) Video too long (in love with the footage) You MUST edit videos either in camera or with some editing software to make it consumable Cuts too long Video not stable (all handheld) Trying to shoot in inadequate light Too far away from subject

Why is teaching and learning video hard? It’s not just you… (so let’s back up a bit) Why is teaching and learning video hard?

Ten years of training journalists and students: video storytelling is the toughest thing to teach

Problems Uncle Ralph video (home movie) Bad framing Unusable pans/moves Not enough closeups No clear concept for each shot Bad audio makes the best footage shot with the best camera money can buy, look amateur

Why? Multitasking Complexity of technology Intrusiveness Slow/no feedback loop in shooting/editing

Low Face-to-face Instruction Story research/development Shooting Editing/Recutting

Reading/writing closely linked Watching and creating video is not Usually more art than science Need more science

Pioneered by Michael Rosenblum, NYT Television, NY1, BBC, CurrentTV BBC 5 Shot method Pioneered by Michael Rosenblum, NYT Television, NY1, BBC, CurrentTV

Five Shot method Closeup on hands Closeup on face Wide shot Over the shoulder Unusual/side shot

Venice Pier Gets its Fill

Five Shot basics Start with best shot Get audience to ask questions/be curious Hold the shot: no pans, zooms, moves

Why it works Sequence always cuts together Usable B-roll all the time Mystery draws viewers in

Closeup on hands Closeup on face Wide shot Over the shoulder Unusual/side shot

Adam Westbrook “What’s the difference between amateurs and professionals? Pros shoot sequences.” http://adamwestbrook.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/10-common-video-storytelling-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them-adam-westbrook-online-video/

Why it’s useful Compels journalist/storyteller to get close Provides known game plan Frees up time for story decision making Web video demands closeups

Additional shots Interview Reveal shots Establishing shot Tracking shot

Tools for Evaluation People other than those in the video (or who helped work on it) will watch the entire video (outside audience appreciation) People will learn something or comment. If you watch your YouTube Analytics people make it through the majority of your video People share your video

Keep in mind… Not meant to be rigid formula Know when to break rules Under stress, fall back on basic training: closeups, faces, holding shots, line of action

REMEMBER! With GOOD SHOOTING TECHNIQUE you can create professional style video with iPhone, P&S camera

Build the 5 shot method into device Future Possibilities Build the 5 shot method into device e-workbook Module: BBC 5 Shot REC Closeup on face WHO is doing it? • Frame with rule of thirds • Give “talk space” in front of eyes/nose. • Can cut off top of head, but not the chin. • SHOW TWO EYES! Analyze FRAMING EYES NOSEROOM Hands Face Wide OTS Unusual

Materials Field checklists http://andrewlih.com/blog