10 Steps to Remarkable Video Storytelling

By Jon Nicol

Just as blogging has allowed the masses to become author/publishers, video hardware, software and distribution has shifted to a place that allows the common man (and woman) to bear the title of filmmaker.

Inside the church, you have potential filmmakers who can...
...recount a powerful story of how God has changed the life of someone in your church.
...visually and emotionally communicate a spiritual truth in a way in a fresh way.
...redeem your "announcements" from the being a 10-minute worship killer to a two-minute-30-second entertaining and enthusiastic call-to-action.

In a couple weeks, I'll have the pleasure of hosting a full-day video workshop in the Mansfield, OH area called the Good Media School taught by Mike Vayda. Mike leads Vayda Productions and has produced events, media and training programs on 5 continents. He also established a non-profit called NotFar.org that provides "creative training and learning tools that help humanitarian groups help more people."

I had the privilege of sitting in half-day seminar with Mike this last fall. I would've stayed all day. Having shot and edited video for church and other projects since 2003 - and I desperately wish I had received this training in 2002. My first shoot after the workshop with Mike was my shortest ever, and editing was a breeze - even on my poochy PC.

I recently interviewed Mike as part of the preparation for this upcoming workshop in Mansfield. One of the questions I asked was this:

If you were only given 2 minutes to teach someone about creating a good story through video, what would you tell them?

His initial answer was, "I would tell them to come back when they have more time." But then he unveiled a 10-step gem. Here it is in Mike's words:

Video is just another way of communicating. Consider the technology and the gear as means to an end…telling a story to an audience. So get a piece of paper and answer these questions (after the two minutes are up):

1. Who is the story for?
2. What is the one thing you want the audience to do/feel/think after watching it?
3. How long should the video be to achieve that? (the shorter the better!)
   
   Then, do these things:
4. Write a script that is no longer than your time goal.
5. Visualize and write down one shot to match with each “chunk” of script.
6. Plan the heck out of things before you pick up the camera.
7. Get your friends to help you and be respectful of their time by planning the heck out of things.
8. Shoot strategically.
9. Edit ruthlessly.
10. Mix in some music and enjoy with friends.

(And then come to the seminar to get more help!)

Take seven minutes and read the whole interview with Mike. He's got some other great points about video production, and you'll learn how he's using his gifts and talents it to change lives in India.

And if you're anywhere within 4 hours of Mansfield, OH, come out to the workshop on Saturday, March 3. The registration fee is a suggested donation of only $30 to NotFar.org. And churches can bring four or more people for $100.

Download the flyer.
Read the whole interview.

Post image: Kriss Szkurlatowski, Stock.Xchng