S | 1 | Explainer Video

Introduction

Using the pre-production materials you have prepared during this unit, you are now tasked with shooting and editing your explainer video.

Plan

  1. Gather everything you need to make your shoot a success
  2. Download the Blackmagic Camera App for your phone, and configure it for compatibility
    1. Set the codec to H.264 for compatibility with Google Vids
    2. Turn on the guides so that you can frame your shots using the rule-of-thirds.
  3. Begin shooting early enough that you will have time in class to edit and ask questions.

Organize

  1. Ensure that Google Drive for Desktop is syncing to your computer.
  2. Create a Project Directory (Folder) in your Google Drive Google Drive/My Drive/Digital Design/YYYY-MM Project Name
  3. Try to keep all of your project files for the explainer video together, so your work is not interrupted due to technical difficulties.
  4. In your project directory, maintain subdirectories for every category of resource you will be using.

Storing all your files in the /Downloads folder in your computer is a BAD idea. If any of these files are lost/deleted you will have to reconnect them. Put them in your project folder directly. This will also be helpful in the event of any computer issues.

YYYY-MM Project Name
📁 Source Footage
📁 Graphics
📁 Sound Effects
📁 Music
📁 Script
  1. It’s also good to include directories for related files
📁 Project Files
📁 Exports
  1. While editing your project, it will benefit you to right click on your project folder and select: “Make Available Offline”. This will keep your files stored on the local computer while you are editing. When you are finished editing the project, you can deselect this to free up space on your harddrive.

Shoot

  1. Work your way through the shots you listed in your two-column script
  2. Try to work efficiently, shooting all the shots that take place in the same location at the same time.
  3. Give your clips pre and post roll so that you have time to cut before and after action.

Edit

  1. Import your footage into your web-based editor of choice:
    1. Google Vids
    2. Canva
    3. Adobe Express
  2. Edit the video in a logical order that begins with an introduction and ends with a conclusion
  3. Add transitions and effects to ease the flow of the content and keep your audience engaged.

Deliver

  1. Finalize your timeline.
    • Delete out any spaces in your timeline.
    • Mark Ins and Outs (Best Practice)

Export Finished Project

  1. Go to File>Export>Media>
  2. Specify your export settings
    • File Name: YYYY-MM Project Name-Lastname
    • Location: Google Drive/My Drive/Digital Design/YYYY-MM Project Name/Exports
    • Preset: Match Source (or use a High Quality Preset to reduce file size)
    • Format: H.264 (The most compatible format)
  3. Choose H.264 from the Format menu. This will create an mp4 file on export.
  4. Click Export. The export script will run until finished.

Publish your work to your Google Sites Portfolio

  1. Create a new page on your Google Sites Portfolio to catalog your work.
    • Your work should be exported in a web-safe format in a manner that allows for the work to be embedded without requiring Google Drive permissions
  2. Your work should be accompanied by a detailed project description
  3. Submit the published portfolio page to your LMS (Schoology)