Videos can be a highly effective way of connecting ideas and expressing concepts in an engaging way. There are four main steps to producing a video: Storyboarding; Scripting; Recording; Editing
Read your assignment instructions carefully. Questions about your video assignment? Ask your instructor or TA.
Begin creating your primary concept material for your video. You may also want to watch videos that inspire you! How are they filmed? How do they present their main ideas? How do they use audio, visuals, dialogue, or narration to enhance their ideas?
Outline what content you’ll need to include in your video, how you’d like to record it all, and start storyboarding your scenes. Check out our guide on pre-production for more details on how to get started with this step!
Based on your assignment guidelines, research, and your initial concept material, start scripting your video. What needs to be said, and in what order should you say it? This is where you (and your team members if you’re working in a group) can begin to solidify the content of your video!
Based on your storyboard and script, start creating your shot list to organize how you’ll start producing your video. What shots are most complicated or involved? Are there certain locations you’ll need to film in? If so, which locations will be best to film in first?
If you need background music, additional images, graphics, sound effects, or pre-recorded footage made by other creators that you hope to include in your video, be sure to check out our Free To Use Media Resource List! This list will help you locate copyright and royalty free media that you can incorporate into your video!
It’s easier to revise and rewrite earlier drafts of your script and storyboard before you start filming and editing your scenes but be sure to double check and peer review your work at every stage!
Make sure you follow any requirements included in your assignment instructions such as length of video, audience, format (report? interview? discussion?) etc.
Start off the production phase of your assignment by securing any and all equipment you’ll need to film/record, or save your video and shots! Need to borrow equipment? Consult University of Toronto Libraries to see if you can borrow equipment from a U of T library near you.
Record any voice over narrations or audio-only components for your video. Check out our guide on good audio recording and editing software here!
Upload your recordings to your editing software and start organizing your scenes, adding background music and effects, and layer in any and all images, narrations, and text you may need! Check out our notes on editing to get started!
Be sure to double check your video for legible text, clear audio, and proper colour correction. Be sure to add any relevant content warnings and if you’ve included audio descriptions or closed captions, be sure they are synced with your video! You can upload or submit your video once you’re done reviewing the content!