How to Tell a StoryVisually

Jed Findlay

How to tell a story visually

• Knowing your audience

• Determining the message

• Deciding on a form

• Pre, Production and Post

• Technical tips

Audience

• WHO – Who are they? What do we know about them? What do we want them to think and do?

Audience

• HOW DO I APPLY THIS – Length of film - Age appropriate language – pacing – style – delivery – music – form – colors

Determining the Message

• What is the purpose?

• What are the outcomes / call to action?

• What will the audience think, know, feel, and do as a result?

Choosing a Form

• Documentary

• Short Film

• Abstract

Documentary

• Narrator

• Interviews

• What is your role as the filmmaker?

• Watch

Short Film

• Script

• Characters

• Watch

Abstract

• Music video

• Art piece

• Watch

PRE-PRODUCTION

• Write out a script!!!– Regardless of form

• Scout locations– Audio concerns

PRE-PRODUCTION

• Check equipment– Charge batteries

• Make a checklist – Equipment– Script

PRODUCTION

• Be thorough– Re-shoot if you are unsure

• Remember Message and Audience

PRODUCTION

• Be aware of AUDIO!!!!!!!!

• Be aware of BACKGROUND!!!!!!!!

PRODUCTION

• PROTECT YOUR FOOTAGE!!!!

POST-PRODUCTION

• Transfer the footage– Immediately back it up on a separate drive– Steps are different for each editing

software– Label folders appropriately

POST-PRODUCTION

• SAVE SAVE SAVE

• Edit a rough cut– Don’t sweat the details yet– Find the entire story

POST-PRODUCTION

• Watch your audio levels

• Balance music and natural sounds

• Color time your shots

• Watch – re-watch.. And watch again

POST-PRODUCTION

• Export a full HD version

• Export more compressed versions for uploading

• SAVE SAVE SAVE

Technical Tips

Shoot a variety of shots

• Wide– Establish the events

• Medium– More engaging

• Close up– Show the details

Wide Shot

• Establish the event

Medium Shot

• Engage the viewer in the event

Close-Up Shot

• Show the details

Camera Placement

• Medium shot

Camera Placement

• Close-Up shot

Get at the Eye level of subjects

• Viewer identifies with subject through eye level

• Often Youth are shot from Adult perspective

• Use angles appropriately

Get at the Eye level of subjects

Youth Eye Level

Composition

• Compose each shot

vs

Composition

• Story within composition

Composition

• Leading looks

Composition

• Leading looks

Composition

• Leading looks

Composition

• Leading looks

Composition

• Leading looks

Shot composition

• Framing

Lead space

Shot composition

• Framing

Lead space

Shot composition

• Framing

Lead space

Composition

• Framing

Head room

Composition

• Framing

Head room

Composition

• Framing

Head room

Be in front of the action

• Shoot faces, not the backs of heads

• Only use if you are emphasizing what is ahead of the subject

Lighting

• Make sure the lighting is balanced

• Use reflectors or white boards

• Use lights

Lighting

vs

Too hot Balanced

Background

• Background should not distract from the subject

• Too bright

• Moving images

• Distracting people (picking nose)

Background

vs

Bad Bad

Background

vs

Bad Good

Zoom

• Use the zoom appropriately – don’t over-use

• A zoom is done for a shot – not because of distance

Use a Tripod

• Purchase a tripod

• It should be a choice between hand held or tripod

Summary

• Find out who the Audience is

• Determine your message

• Decide on a form

• Pre, Production and Post

Questions

Jed Findlay

jfindlay@iastate.edu