Preparing for the Canyons District Film Festival

"The story-making process enables us to simplify complex information into a core essence of understanding."
~Y. Gabriel, Storytelling in Organizations

"Humans do not store experiences as data like a computer; we story it!"
~Richard Winter

"By telling thoughtful stories, we clarify our own thinking about what we have learned to share with others in a profound way that sticks with us over time."
~Annette Simons, The Story Factor

Film Festival Home

Tools and Tips for the Filmmaking Process

Storyboarding:
Creating a storyboard is an essential part of any film/video project. Here are some sites that can help you with the storyboarding process:

Here are some sample storyboards. You can make your own easily using word processing software. You can also use ComicLife to storyboard.

Bernajean Porter's Storyboard Template
Simple Video Storyboard
HRW Storyboard Template
Video Storyboard from Home Education Exchange

Creation of storyboards can tie into any core curriculum you and your students are studying!

Editing Techniques:
There are many tools available to help you edit your film. Some common tools include iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premiere.
When editing your film, consider how you might effectively use the following:

Cutting and editing footage to include the best shots and keep the film moving along smoothly
Titles
Graphics
Special Effects
Sound/Audio
Music

Check out this Ted-Ed video for some fun animation techniques and special effect ideas:

Shooting Techniques:
The footage you shoot is a key part of any film project. Here are some tips for gathering quality footage:

Clear, Steady Footage:

Use your camera’s image stabilization feature, if it has one.
Use a tripod whenever possible.
If no tripod is available, hold your bent arm tight against your body or lean against a solid surface to stabilize the shot.
Use your camera’s auto focus mode unless it’s having trouble focusing on your subject.
Hold your camera still and have the subject provide motion instead of the other way around.

Think About Composition:

Make sure all parts of your shot work together — the subject, background, color and lighting.
Position your subject off center for a more interesting shot.
Make sure there is no unnecessary space around the subject.

Don't Forget the Background:

Keep the background simple.
Include a few props that will make the shot more interesting, but not distract from the subject.
Make sure there are no distracting objects in the camera’s view.
Check that objects don’t look like they’re growing out of your subject.

Get Great Shots:

Only use your zoom to quickly switch between close-up and wide shots. You can edit out the abrupt zoom in your final movie.
Try to get at least two types of camera shots for each scene you film: close-up, medium or wide.
Use extra video cameras so you can capture the same shot from different points of view.
Anticipate the action so you get the shots you need.
Record a few seconds before and after a scene so it will be easier to edit.

Capture Candid Shots:

Make your subjects feel comfortable and relaxed by talking and interacting with them.
Try to be discreet.
Bring along a digital still camera so you can incorporate still photos into your movie.

Additional Resources:

Apple's 10 Tips for Capturing Great Video: apple-digitalmovie-tips.pdf

Copyright:
Be sure that you only use materials in your film that you have permission to use. Any music, photos, and other creative works borrowed from others and included in your film must be used with express written permission, under fair use guidelines, or under a Creative Commons license. Please properly credit any such creative works. For more information about copyright, please visit the Copyright, Creative Commons and Digital Citizenship and Online Safety pages of our site.
Film festival entries that break copyright, do not contain proper credits, or do not have proper media and information releases for each person involved in the film will not be considered for Canyons District Film Festival awards. If you have copyright and permissions questions, please contact your school's Educational Technology Specialist or email Katie Blunt at kathryn.blunt@canyonsdistrict.org.

Audio:
Audio can be one of the most difficult aspects of taping. If you use only the camera microphone for audio you will have to keep the camera close to those doing the talking. You will also need to have them speak up. Here are some tips:

Keep your subject close to the camera.
Eliminate background noise as much as possible.
Use an external microphone if available.
Make sure the microphone is out of the camera’s view.
Use headphones to monitor the sound quality.

External Sound Clips:
Sometimes you just don't have the sound or music you need for your project. Here are a couple of suggestions for getting just the right sound effects:

For sound effects: Find Sounds
For royalty free music: Soundzabound (If you are in a school or district in Utah, you should automatically be directed through the UEN portal which will allow you to download without charge. If you try to download from home, you will need to login to myuen and then go through Pioneer Library. If you have any issues at school then go in through Pioneer Library as well.)

Interview Techniques:
Interviewing skills are particularly important for students creating documentary or newscast film projects.
"A video interview can be thought of as a conversation involving three types of people:

The interviewer is the facilitator. (S)he chooses the topic of conversation, asks questions and guides the discussion.
The guest is the subject of the interview. (S)he will do most of the talking and get most of the camera shots.
The viewer is a silent observer who has been invited into the conversation.

This creates a three-way interaction. A successful interview will include all three groups in the correct mix.
"Typically, the interviewer begins by setting the scene. They invite the viewer into the conversation by introducing the location, guest and topic. At this point the interviewer is probably speaking to the camera as if they were looking the viewer in the eye.
"Next, the interviewer turns to speak to the guest. Then follows a fairly one-sided conversation in which the interviewer asks questions which are (usually) designed to encourage the guest to talk a lot.
"The way the interview progresses will depend on the situation. A short interview will last long enough to get the information from the guest and then close, often quite abruptly. A more in-depth or personal interview will usually go through a settling-in stage where simple facts are discussed, then move gently towards the more thorny issues.
"The interview is usually concluded by thanking the guest. The interviewer may then turn back to the camera and say goodbye to the viewer, as well as tidy up any script requirements such as leading to the next piece in the program."
-From Media College.com

Lighting:
Lighting is one of the most important elements when making a video. Here are some tips for quality lighting:

Indoor, fluorescent lighting can be difficult. If there are windows available get as much light from them as possible.
Do not put subjects to be filmed in front of windows. They will be nothing but shadows on the tape.
Before shooting, determine where the light is coming from (front, side, or back). If backlit, add more light so the front of your subject is lit, or move to another location.
Use a bounce card to reflect light onto your subject instead of shining it directly on them.
If necessary, set your camera mode to match your shooting conditions.
Avoid bright sunlight and make sure your shadow isn't in the shot.
If you're filming inside, turn on all of the lights.