Video storytelling

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

humor.

Many types of videoBroadcast package – reporter narratesSubject-narrated videoVideo essaysSpot news – sometimes rawSidebars It’s all about the story!

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.

Action, movementDigging outWater main

Emotion“I want Luis back”Hearst championship winner

Find a characterThe carpenterEverybody has a story

Something you want to seeParaplegic dogDancing for Dominoes

Planning even before you goBrainstorm the idea.Think about which shots you’ll need – make a

list.Think about what will be visual.

Plan aheadRemember 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.

Plan aheadConsider 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.

On the sceneTips from Mark Carlson, AP videographer

On the sceneDarren Durlach

Shoot first, interview secondShoot what’s interesting.Ask questions about how, why later.

Understand the lingoA-roll – the story’s narrative (what sources or

narrator say)B-roll – transitions used to avoid talking heads80:20 ratio – 80 percent of your shots should

be B-roll, 20 percent will be A-roll.

So let’s start shootingWhat is the most critical element for shooting

good video?

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

Shooting A-rollBe aware of the background.Remember the rule of thirds when framing

your shots.

Shooting B-rollShoot 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.

Be thinking about shotsAlways 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.

Shoot in sequences Images should flow from one to the next.Ratio: 50% close-ups, 25% medium, 25% wideSequences video

John Gross on sequencing

5-shot methodExtreme close-up (hands)Close-up of the face of person in actionMedium shot (face and action together)Over-the-shoulder view (from point of view of

person in action)Another angle (be creative)

Time to start shootingFrame 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.

More on framingPay attention to background – look for poles or

other objects coming out of headsDon’t leave too much dead space above a

person’s head.

Shooting rulesDon’t pan.Don’t zoom.Don’t tilt the camera.

What you needShoot action, then reaction.Let the action leave the frame.Get a variety of shots.Use a tripod.

Critical shotsOpening 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.

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

Using sound as transition

Shoot cutawaysAvoid 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

180-degree ruleShoot within 180 degrees around a subject.

Don’t walk around your subject. 180 degree video example

Telling the storyBefore 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.

Story focusBoyd Huppert’s 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.

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.

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.

Video examplesColin RocksGriselda’s wordsHaymarket ParkArt of CompassionLemonade

More resourcesKnight Digital Media CenterVideo Journalists ToolkitShooting tipsExamples – Michelle’s delicious