IDEAS

Download the Ideas PDF document.

Below are examples of different ways you can present your topic on video.
You can also combine any of these examples e.g. create an animated documentary.

Animation: Animation created on computer using CGI Tools such as Flash, Maya, etc. Or hand drawn or cell animation, cut-out animation, Claymation, Or other 2d or 3d animation created using traditional stop motion techniques.

Music Video: A film intended to interpret a piece of music. The music is used in its entirety, and the images are edited to the music. Festival entries must include either original music or must be accompanied by written permission to use copyrighted music. You can find royalty free music at several sites online including Royalty-free.tv.

Art Film: Like music video, this category is open ended, using many different shooting and editing techniques, special effects and sound to express its context. Unlike music video, its intention is not to interpret a piece of music. Rather, when music is used, it is used as one element among many to create a unified whole. Art films can explore and expand the current limits of film language. Many techniques commonly used by mainstream filmmakers began as experiments by artists. Written copyright permission guidelines apply.

Documentary: A production using techniques such as interviews, voice-over narration, and footage of actual events to explain or explore a real person, organization, program, event, or incident.

News Feature: Not an entire news program, but an individual story on a specific event

Commercial: A short commercial advertisement as on television or increasingly in movie theatres

Anti-Ad: Funny or serious, anti-ads explicitly or implicitly question or comment on the content and /or structure of commercial advertising.

PSA: Like an advertisement a Public Service Announcement has a message, but it is non-commercial.

Dramatic Narrative: Tells a dramatic, fictional story.

Comedic Narrative: Tells a comedic, fictional story.

Download the Ideas PDF document.



THINGS TO CONSIDER
Download the Things to Consider PDF document.
  1. What is your message?
    • Keep it simple.
    • State your message in a sentence or a coherent phrase.

  2. Why is your message important?
    • Why should we care?

  3. Who is your message for?
    • Know your audience
    • What is their age, gender, race, habits, educational level, occupation, etc?
    • This knowledge will influence how you communicate your message.

  4. How will you communicate your message?
    • Not just the medium, but how will you communicate your message effectively.
    • What can you show to get the point across?
    • How will you make your audience care about your message?

  5. What tools of persuasion will you use?

  6. What do you want people to do after viewing your video?
    • Volunteer time? Donate money? Buy something? Sign a petition?
    • Don't just present a problem, present a solution as well.

It is important to continually remind yourself of your objectives with your video. If you need some guidelines, download the Things to Consider document.