Telling a Story

How to Make a Five Minute Digital Story

Nicole Clements, Caritas AustraliaLaura Bradley, Xt3.com

Mary Elias, Xt3.com

Part 1: How to Podcast

Part 2: How to Video

Part 3: How to Present Your Story- Content Platforms

- Social Media- Tips

Welcome

Part 1: How to Podcast

EquipmentSkillsPractice

Equipment: What You Need

• Audio recorder• Computer • USB transfer cord• Pair of headphones• Program to edit your audio files

Recording Devices

Zoom H4n Digital Recorder$305

Zoom H1 Handy $105.00

Environment

Situations you may find yourselves recording in: • Chapel (echo)• Outside (nature wind)• Controlled environment (university theatre or a

meeting room)

Editing Skills

• Practice makes perfect• Video tutorials on YouTube

Editing Software

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Note: Also download the “LAME encoder”, which will allow your files to be exported from Auacity as MP3 files. This will happen automatically once you download LAME onto your computer – no extra steps! http://lame.buanzo.org/

File Management - Publishing

Publishing Skills and managing your files:

• Do you have your own website?• Dropbox• iTunes account• Soundcloud• Facebook Page

Useful Links:

Other options for a more permanent solution to hosting a podcast:http://www.howtopodcasttutorial.com/21-podcast-hosting.htm

Free podcast safe musichttp://dig.ccmixter.org/

How to submit a podcast to the iTunes storehttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT1819

Part 2: How to Video

• Today we’re going to talk about how and why video is a powerful means of telling a story for and for spreading our mission and message.

• We’ll learn tips and tricks and practice

Why Use video?

• Video brings your work to lifeand it becoming so important

• Here’s why -• In 2012, online video accounted for over 50 percent of all

consumer web traffic for the very first time ever, biggest year yet for online video consumption (about tech)

• Stories and pictures build an emotional connection - amplifying the voices of the people who would otherwise be silent … for Caritas/the Church this is the poor

• Helps communicate your mission – enabling us to connect with our Catholic audience in a powerful way

• Helps build your brand and raise your profile• Campaigns/Videos can easily go viral

Twitter

• 5,446 followers• This includes:

- Teachers- Schools- Students- Media outlets- Parishes/dioceses- People interested in donating- Fundraisers

• Supporters contact us directly to let us know about their activities and ask questions

• Online video works well

Caritas Australia on YouTube

Hundreds of subscribers Mainly used as a library of all our video content (168 videos on it!)Lifetime video views >275,000Views in the last month >3,000

Video skills and toolkit

Key ingredients

•High quality content (so that means shooting high resolution)- there’s so much content out there, quality cuts through

•A good SLR camera – there are many – choose what you can afford

•Good sound equipment – this doesn’t have to been expensive – some people use lav mic- which is an app and mic you can plug into your iPhone.

•I use a Rhode mic that sits on top of the camera and plugs into the side of the camera

•Get the talent to look at you, not the camera

Video skills and toolkit

•Get familiar with your equipment•Turn the camera to video setting – auto or manual•Always use a tripod•Good interviewees – having a know for news helps - make people feel comfortable

•Scripting and structuring the story – use your creativity

•What makes a good story - You already have these skills•Consider duration – if you want to tweet it – make it shorter, but longer for YouTube/your website/an event

Shooting video – Reviewing the basics

Types of shotsStatic shots• Static shots are those where the camera and the lens are not

moved and come in several broad categories

1. Wideshot (WS)

Filming online videos

2. Long shot (LS) – slightly different to the wide shot earlier

Filming online videos

3. Medium shot (MS)Here is one eg. Many interviews (TV soundbites) are filmedas medium (mid) shots

Filming online videos

4. Medium close-up (MCU)

Filming online videos

5. Close up (CU)

Filming online videos

• You’ll notice, except for the wideshot, all shots are referenced according to the view they give of the human figure/face

• In a minute we’re going to practice with the camera

• Cutaways - There’s another type of shot that’s often referred to in any discussion of TV (audiovisual) feature stories and that’s the “cutaway”

• Consider using graphics, extra footage, that may help tell your story

Rule of Thirds

• The Rule of thirds is an idea in video production, where the frame is divided into into nine imaginary sections, as illustrated on the right. This creates reference points which act as guides for framing the image.

• Points (or lines) of interest should occur at 1/3 or 2/3 of the way up (or across) the frame

• Not in the centre

A Caritas story from Nepal

• First through, Nepal is front and centre in our hearts right now and I just want to share with you a story I filmed last year that will be shown this week at Women for the World – it highlights Carita’s ongoing work in Nepal – demonstrates the power of video

• Notice aspects of the film which are designed to build empathy and understanding

- Link to film- Link to 2nd snippet

Filming Practice

• Let’s practice – turn to the person next to you. If you have an iPhone, or can record on your device

• Find a space and ask them the question – What are you most passionate about?

• It’s possible to edit using Moviemaker • It’s free – available on PCs• Easy to use,

great for capturing, editing and sharing

• Photo credit – www.freemake.com

Part 3: How to Present Your Story

Content Platforms You Can Use• iTunes/Soundcloud (to host audio)• YouTube/Vimeo (to host video)• Your Website or Blog (embed the video or audio file)• Your Apps (embed the video or audio file)• Your Newsletters• Social Media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google+,

Pinterest, Tumblr• Vines (App to create short videos)

Some Ideas

• Upload audio directly to iTunes or Soundcloud and embed on your website.

• Use your audio with a slideshow of images – upload to YouTube or directly on your website.

• Vines are easy to do, download the App and share on Twitter for more reach.

• Think about WYD – Vines are easy when you are on the road, quick and effective.

• Always upload longer videos to YouTube, they get more exposure.

• Blogs are still very popular to share your videos and podcasts.

Good Use of Video & Podcast - Examples

• Fr Roderick – Star Wars Trailer, check out the comments! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayLZk4oNwuQ

• Fr Robert Barron – YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/wordonfirevideo/videos

• Fr Rob Galea – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & even Snapchat!• LifeTeen in the USA – all their social media accounts are great.• Ignite Youth in Brisbane – All their social media accounts are

great.• Washington Archdiocese – Excellent use of Vines, Twitter,

Facebook, Blogs and more.• Caritas YouTube Channel• Xt3.com Social Media Accounts

Tips

Finally... how do know whether we are creating good, Catholic content? Tips from Fr. Robert Barron:

• Lead with the beautiful• Don’t dumb down the message• Preach with ardour• Tell a great story• Remind people that God loves them• We can’t keep the Church to ourselves• Yes, yes, yes to new media

Thank you

Nicole Clements, Caritas Australia: NicoleC@caritas.org.au

Laura Bradley, Xt3.com: Laura.Bradley@sydneycatholic.org

Mary Elias, Xt3.com: Mary.Elias@sydneycatholic.org