Resources
Guidelines for Planning a Video Production
What You Need to Know First
- Why is the video being produced?
- What is the desired end-result? (one main purpose)
- Who is the primary audience?
- What does the audience want and need to know?
- What genre and/or style will be used?
- How long should the program be?
- What is the message?*
- Can the message be visualized?
- How will the ministry benefit?
- Who can I get to help?
- What are the financial constraints?
- What are the creative limitations?
- What is the schedule/deadline?
*The Message is not the same as the Content. The Content is what the audience actually sees and hears; the Message is what they conclude from having seen and heard.
When not to use a video
- Audience response must be gauged immediately.
- The message can be clearly communicated in writing.
- An audio explanation would suffice.
- Material is figure and form intensive.
Video Genres
- Documentary
- Event
- Training
- Promotional
- Commercial
- "Talking Head"
Video Styles
- Humor
- Spoof
- Drama
- Role play
- Slice of Life
- Step by step
- News/magazine
Scripting Principles
- Begin with basic scripting steps:
- Brainstorm for ideas (themes) guided by purpose and message.
- Write out a "creative concept", ie. describe the audience, style, message.
- Organize into an outline.
- Write a first draft
- Get input from others involved; proofread.
- Sketch out a "storyboard" if able.
- Write final draft.
- Write the narration:
- Make a shot list:
Once the script is finalized, a detailed list of every video shot needs to be made. It can be a sequential list, according to the script; or, it can be arranged categorically or geographically for practicality's sake.
When writing narration, grab the audience's attention at the beginning; write with an economy of words using short sentences; read the narration out loud and make sure it "sounds good." There are two types of narration: on-screen and voice over. Decide how much of each will be used.