Lights, Camera, Action!

Producing Student-made Videos:

A Project-based Learning Strategy

Robert Miller Volusia County Schools

Port Orange, Florida

QuickTime™ and aH.264 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Why Video? An alternative assessment

A cooperative task

Keepsakes to save

Expressions of creativity

Meaningful & memorable

Where to use video?

Social Studies✓Historical documentaries

✓Current events

✓Reenactments

✓Video speeches or debates

✓Biographies of historical figures

✓Election ads/propaganda

studies

✓Game shows

✓Travel channel

Adapted from “Engaging Students in Video Production,” Sony, Tech&Learning

QuickTime™ and aH.264 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Language Arts✓Visual interpretation of a

poem

✓Produce your own story

✓Reenactment of literature

✓“How To...” video

✓Learning a language

✓Book commercial

Adapted from “Engaging Students in Video Production,” Sony, Tech&Learning

QuickTime™ and aH.264 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Science✓Processes in nature (plant

growth, hatching chicks,

etc.)

✓Physical evidence of

change over time

✓A video of a specific

lesson or assignment

✓Video a science labAdapted from “Engaging Students in Video Production,” Sony, Tech&Learning

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

QuickTime™ and ampeg4 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Math✓Create a video to teach or

demonstrate knowledge

of a concept or how to

solve a problem

✓Collect data from

recorded observations or

from sports to analyze

✓Explain a formulaAdapted from “Engaging Students in Video Production,” Sony, Tech&Learning

Music✓Recording of original

plays and performances

for publication or upload

✓Classical music video

✓Proper fingering

techniques

✓Performance critique

Adapted from “Engaging Students in Video Production,” Sony, Tech&Learning

Lagniappe ✓Public service

announcements

✓School newscasts

✓Virtual tours for new

students

✓Video yearbooks on DVD

Adapted from “Engaging Students in Video Production,” Sony, Tech&Learning

“Quiet on the Set!”

How to Produce Student Films....

1. Pre-Production

2. Production3. Post-Production/Editing4. Publishing & Sharing

1. Pre-Production•What is the purpose? Create the rubric of expectations

•Assign roles for ease:•Story Boarder and Script Writer•Costume/Prop Director•Film Crew•Post Producer•Sound Effects / Foley Director

•Have students create a storyboard and write the script that parallels

Student Video Rubric:Summarizing Force & Motion

Did the student...

Give examples and demonstrate at least three forces?Recognize what causes a change in motion?Identify forces acting on a stationary or moving object?Include a creative theme?Seem rehearsed and practice proper filming strategies?Remain within time limit of three minutes?

1. Pre-Production•Design the sets, costumes, props

•Make sure background noise is minimal, lighting is correct, and action fits in camera view

•Practice/Memorize those lines!

•Teleprompter if needed

•Rehearse with stage direction

•Practice projecting the voice and facing the camera

•Enunciate your lines with proper emotion

How to Produce Student Films....

1. Pre-Production

2. Production3. Post-Production/Editing4. Publishing & Sharing

2. Production•“Action!”

•Use a tripod•Add buffer before and after your film clip ( 3+ CLIP +3 )

•Use creative shots•Close up•Pan in/out •Upshot

•Sound•Use the best microphone possible

•Wind is a hindrance outside•Avoid background noise

•Lighting•Avoid filming in shade or partial lighting

•Light on the front of the subject

How to Produce Student Films....

1. Pre-Production

2. Production3. Post-Production/Editing4. Publishing & Sharing

3. Post-Production/Editing•Adding captions and titles

•Display credits, titles, etc. long enough and large enough to be read

•Keep away from the edges of the frame

•Choose a font style and color that is easy to read

•Adding sound•Keep the level of sound constant throughout the project

•Voice-overs should be crisp, animated, yet not too loud.

•Choose Creative Commons music and cite correctly.

•Do not overdo sound effects. The best sound effects are those that go unnoticed

Cropping: Rule of Thirds

How to Produce Student Films....

1. Pre-Production

2. Production3. Post-Production/Editing4. Publishing & Sharing

4. Publishing & Sharing

•Have the proper media releases for your needs

•Allow students to “premiere” their works to peers live

•Upload to video sharing sites with moderation

‣www.schooltube.com‣www.youtube.com

QuickTime™ and aH.264 decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Let’s Get Started!

First, let’s create a channel on YouTube and SchoolTube...

Let’s Brainstorm...

Ideas?