1. Video storytelling

2. Why use video?  85 percent of Web users watched video in May.  34 billion videos  News videos are second only to entertainment, humor.

3. Many types of video  Broadcast package – reporter narrates  Subject-narrated video  Video essays  Spot news – sometimes raw  Sidebars  It’s all about the story!

4. What’s the story?  Make sure the story is worth video.  Look for action.  Look for emotion.  Look for characters.  Look for activity people will want to see.

5. Action, movement  Digging out Digging out  Water main

6. Emotion  “I want Luis back” “I want Luis back”  Hearst championship winner Hearst championship winner

7. Find a character  The carpenter The carpenter  Everybody has a story Everybody has a story

8. Something you want to see  Paraplegic dog Paraplegic dog  Dancing for Dominoes Dancing for Dominoes

9. Planning even before you go  Brainstorm the idea.  Think about which shots you’ll need – make a list.  Think about what will be visual.

10. Plan ahead  Remember you need a beginning, middle and end.  Start and end strong.  Think about what will grab viewers and set up your story.  Think about your closing shot – slamming a door, turning out the lights, walking away.

11. Plan ahead  Consider creating a storyboard before you shoot.  After shooting you can revise the storyboard to help you focus in the editing process.  Or you can write a script, based on transcription of your interviews.

12. On the scene  Tips from Mark Carlson, AP videographer Tips

13. On the scene  Darren Durlach Darren Durlach

14. Shoot first, interview second  Shoot what’s interesting.  Ask questions about how, why later.

15. Understand the lingo  A-roll – the story’s narrative (what sources or narrator say)  B-roll – transitions used to avoid talking heads  80:20 ratio – 80 percent of your shots should be B- roll, 20 percent will be A-roll.

16. So let’s start shooting  What is the most critical element for shooting good video?

17. Getting good A-roll  Good audio is critical.  Wear headphones, monitor sound.  Get the mic close to the speaker.  Be quiet.  More tips from a professional More tips

18. Shooting A-roll  Be aware of the background.  Remember the rule of thirds when framing your shots.

19. Shooting B-roll  Shoot lots of it. You’ll need more than you think.  For 1:30 minute video, you need 35 to 60 shots to keep viewers interested.  Shoot wide, medium, tight shots of each scene.

20. Be thinking about shots  Always think about how to get from one shot to the next.  Try to get some kind of transition shot with either an entry or exit.  Close-ups are especially helpful in editing to get from point A to point B.

21. Shoot in sequences  Images should flow from one to the next.  Ratio: 50% close-ups, 25% medium, 25% wide  Sequences video  John Gross on sequencing John Gross on sequencing

22. 5-shot method  Extreme close-up (hands)  Close-up of the face of person in action  Medium shot (face and action together)  Over-the-shoulder view (from point of view of person in action)  Another angle (be creative)

23. Time to start shooting  Frame the action, then start recording.  Stand still while you are shooting.  Shoot for at least 10 seconds. Leave space at beginning and end of shot to help you edit.  Stop recording before you move to the next shot.

24. More on framing  Pay attention to background – look for poles or other objects coming out of heads  Don’t leave too much dead space above a person’s head.

25. Shooting rules  Don’t pan.  Don’t zoom.  Don’t tilt the camera.

26. What you need  Shoot action, then reaction.  Let the action leave the frame.  Get a variety of shots.  Use a tripod.

27. Critical shots  Opening shot -- should grab the viewer’s attention and help set up your story.  Closing shot -- someone closing a door, capping a pen, petting a dog, turning out the lights, releasing a butterfly.

28. Get details  Remember to get close.  Use details for transitions.  Close-ups help you get from Point A to Point B.

29. Using sound as transition

31. Shoot cutaways  Avoid jump cuts – person or object moves unnaturally from one shot to the next.  Instead shoot action, cut away to inanimate object on periphery and then back to action.  Jump cut video

32. 180-degree rule  Shoot within 180 degrees around a subject. Don’t walk around your subject.  180 degree video example

33. Telling the story  Before you start writing text or editing video, you need to have a very clear idea of the focus of your story.  Keep your story simple.  Write a storyboard or script. You need to have a written plan.

34. Story focus  Boyd Huppert’s tipstips

35. Tips Tips for writing a script  YOU CAN ONLY TALK FOR AS LONG AS YOU HAVE IMAGES  Plan ahead and ensure you shoot not just your interview but sequences of the person doing something.

36. Tips for scripts  IMAGES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS If you say it, show it.  If you are explaining how faulty wiring led to a blaze while showing video of the charcoal remains of a house, don’t expect your audience to pay attention to your well-researched details. If you say it, show it.

37. Bob Dotson’s tips  Start with a scene setter — Dotson says you have to tell people where you are — where the story begins.  2. Include foreshadowing — Make sure your audience knows something is going to happen in the story.  3. Develop characters — Introduce us to and build characters throughout the story. This is often done by illustrating conflict.  4. Provide a resolution — Take us someplace in the story; think about where you will end the piece.

38. Video examples  Colin Rocks Colin Rocks  Griselda’s words Griselda’s words  Haymarket Park Haymarket Park  Art of Compassion Art of Compassion  Lemonade

39. More resources  Knight Digital Media Center Knight Digital Media Center  Video Journalists Toolkit Video Journalists Toolkit  Shooting tips Shooting tips  Examples – Michelle’s delicious Examples – Michelle’s delicious