Design Decisions: Video: Projects: PSA Pre-Production

  • How do I plan for a successful Video Production filming?

Individually, you will create a plan to film a Public Service Announcement. When assigned a group, you will share each other's plans, and choose one to film, then begin filming.

>>> Example PSA: Discover the Forest series

Each person will be graded for submitting their own separate, unique plan on their Google Site. Then filming is done together, and everyone gets the same footage. Then each person will be graded for editing their own version of the movie - that way everyone practices editing skills - and submitting their own, separate unique movie Vimeo embed on their Google Site.

What am I making?

  1. Pre-production Plan for a 30 second, 8+ shots "Public Service Announcement" (PSA) message in a typed document including:

    • A message or lesson that the video teaches or promotes

      • such as: conserve electricity, get vaccinated, don't text and drive, etc.

    • A list of events (script) that tell the story that teaches the message that can be filmed at school

      • such as: 1. opens electric bill, looks surprised, walks around house, turns off lights, unplugs things, talks to camera "Wow, I could have saved so much money... not leaving lights on and things plugged in."

    • A list of locations and props needed

      • such as: envelope, paper formatted electric bill

    • A storyboard of 6 camera shots representing 6 different moments in the script with 6 different shot types

      • such as: establishing, wide, full, medium, medium close-up, close-up, extreme close-up, cutaway, cut-in

  2. Example assignment: PSA Pre-Production plan

Steps

  1. Open Mr. W.'s template: PSA Pre-Production plan

  2. Select and Copy all the text

  3. Open your Google Site

  4. In the Pages tab, push + and create a new page called PSA Pre-Production

  5. In the Insert tab, add a Text Box, and Paste all the text

  6. Delete Mr. W.'s examples and replace it with your own PSA story idea details

  7. On paper, create a 6-panel Storyboard with 6 different shots for 6 different moments in your story

    • Optional: photograph and upload the Storyboard photo onto your page

    • Otherwise, write your name on the paper, and turn it in to Mr. W.

  8. When done, push the Publish button, review the settings, and publish.

  9. Then click the chain-link button, Copy the link for your page, and paste it into Google Classroom to "turn in."

  10. While waiting for groups to be formed, complete other assignments, or do Choice Art Time

Our Group has chosen a Plan: How do we Film our PSA?

  • Film a few takes for each frame on the storyboard. You can make your shots different - the Storyboard is a plan!

  • Pay attention to Audio! Wind noise can be lessened by putting a furry screen on your microphone. You can also record dialog later! (Video Tutorial with Audio tips)

  • Film extra shots you didn't plan for! Get a variety for editing. Establishing shots take in footage from around the scene.

  • Make sure your subjects are Lit well, Lighting matters, use natural light (face the sun / lighting), use reflectors, or use lights - flashlights?

  • Storyboard to video example! (Save the Paper storyboard & shots)

Career Connections

  • You learn a lot from practicing Video Production, the experience, to make better videos - Sound and Lighting are important!

Resources