Video Essays

Howdy All,

I’m quite interested including a production task for YouTube content in my Year 11 general class next year. I noticed that the following outcomes below lend themselves quite well to niche YouTube content:

• Subcultures as intended audiences

• Impact of technologies on audiences forming point of view

• Considering the needs, interests and values of audiences when constructing point of view

• Controls and constraints appropriate to:

• Community expectations

• Limitations in production – access to technology, cost, time

I thought that a ‘Video Essay’ production task might be a good way to assess Year 11 General kids, as they can make the essay on whatever they like – e.g., why a particular video game or TV show is worthy of praise, why a particular YouTuber is toxic or harmful to viewers – and it places at the forefront the idea of a point of view, or ‘thesis’ which they then set out to prove.

Has anybody else already done this? If so, have you found any good texts to use as examples?

Here’s a playlist I can across while doing some research, and a good example of a relatively short video essay that sets a nice, achievable standard for Year 11 general students.

1. Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6zS3esahLbgx1eh16aIbsUSmsg-63RVw

2. Example of a Video Essay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntVXnpB0IGA&list=PL6zS3esahLbgx1eh16aIbsUSmsg-63RVw&index=22

Look forward to hearing your thoughts

Tom Norman

I've done video essays with Yr 11 Gen and lower school classes. It's been a successful unit of study, the students have enjoyed making work that reflects their interests.

That's a pretty comprehensive playlist! There's a couple of channels I'd recommend (being mindful of content, as usual).

Folding Ideas: https://www.youtube.com/@FoldingIdeas

Lindsay Ellis: https://www.youtube.com/@LindsayEllisVids

Every Frame a Painting: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=every+frame+a+painting

Lady Emily: https://www.youtube.com/@LadyEmilyPresents

Mr. Sunday Movies (good for an Australian creator): https://www.youtube.com/@mrsundaymovies

Legal Eagle: https://www.youtube.com/@LegalEagle

I don't have much to share, we played it pretty loose this year as we had so many interruptions to the schedule. Here's a couple of task sheets that show how we staggered out the production and incorporated the chance to respond to feedback.

You can delete the No Sonic image - some of my students were fixated on Sonic lore to the point I had to ban it as a topic. Otherwise I'd be stuck with 20 minute long videos about a blue rodent.

Gareth Mitchell

Hi Tom,

If you are looking for examples of how you can work within the constraints of the Youtube content creator format but then subvert the expectations of the genre/style; There was a good limited series on the ABC called "Sarah's Channel".

It's a make-up tutorial series that opens as you would expect but then you begin to realise that there is a secondary story that is playing out within the narrative.

I've attached the link below:

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/sarah-s-channel

Sarah's Channel : ABC iview

Online Beauty Vlogger Sarah knows how to create that perfect smoky eye and won't let anything - including a global catastrophe - stand in the way of uploading her makeover videos.

iview.abc.net.au

I have used this as an example with my middle school classes when I have asked them to recreate a social media format ensuring that they touch on the traditional codes and conventions of what they select. I offer this as an example for those students who want to challenge themselves and create something with a little subversion.

Hope this is of some help.

Rock on!

Gooch!