Making a Video Show on PNN

Making a Video Show

Posted by Kid's Talk Show Posted on: 09/05/07

Making a Video Show

"Before You Get Started"

By Jennifer Jacobson
About this Advisor Professor
The following assignment was created by Jennifer Jacobson, Marketing and Media Director at PNN. Jennifer holds a Master's Degree and Undergraduate Degree from San Francisco State University's Broadcasting School. Jennifer has written many stories for web, film, radio and live performance.

Why This Assignment is Important
The following assignment is intended to equip kids with a working knowledge about making a good movie or show. Since video is such a universal medium, knowing how to approach storytelling through video empowers kids to expand their media literacy skills.

Assignment: Film School on the Fly

Part 1: Know Your Story

Recording is Storytelling

Before you ever pick up the camera to shoot a movie, know your story.

Everything you will do from now on revolves around your story. Visualize your story when you close your eyes and watch it as a movie in your head.

Your story can be about anything and it's your job to make it interesting to an audience.

Think about what makes your story interesting
Why do you care about this story?
If something sticks in your mind and says, "hey, listen to me!" it's probably a good story.

Exercise 1
Write out and share the answers to the following questions:
Think about your favorite TV show.
1. What do you remember most?
2. What character is the show based on?
3. Why do you care about this character?
4. How is this character like you?

Now that you've thought about your favorite show, let's look at it more closely.

Exercise 2
Dissect your favorite TV show.

Example: MythBusters
MythBusters is a show that takes urban legends and puts them to the test using science and technology.

Premise (why the show works) It's fun to see if the show's Lead Characters (Jamie and Adam) can build challenging recreations of urban legends and prove or disprove them.
You want to see Jamie and Adam struggle to build setups
You want them to be amazed when they disprove a well known myth
However, you also want them to learn something
You want them to find a way to get the job done
You want to have the upper hand and know the truth behind urban legends.

Bingo! That's the bottom line of MythBusters, "Getting the edge on urban legends with science." This is why the show works.

Through the show, Adam and Jamie become icons for the working class. The show skyrocketed their careers. Audiences felt they could finally have a practical application for science in a social context. This is the premise of good stories: bringing people together.

Your story may be about a sales rep who is trying to break into the world of professional wrestling, or perhaps your story is about a zookeeper who refuses to retire. Whatever your story idea, it's your job to use video and audio in a way that makes your audience care about your character.

Keep in Mind:

A well-planned, weekly story with good emotion and character is far more likely to be enjoyed by your audience than a show that has a lot of content, airs daily and says nothing.

It takes time to make and edit a good show, so try and capture the "soul" of everything you do. Due to the nature of video editing, shoot for quality over quantity.

Exercise 3