Making Your Video

MAKING YOUR VIDEO

GAME ON! It’s time to let your creative juices flow. Be the leader that you are, have a great time and make a difference in your school, organization or community! Below you will find ideas on how to select your video topic and plan your shoot, and get other useful tips on how to create your masterpiece.

Be sure to download the NO BULL header to add to the start of your video and the NO BULL footer to add to the end of your video!

FOOTER

HEADER

Selecting Your Topic

We understand that selecting your topic is one of the most important parts of participating in the NO BULL Challenge. It’s very likely that you’ll be able to develop a story idea based on a personal experience, one that’s happened to someone you know, or about something you’ve heard in the media. In selecting a NO BULL topic, make sure the majority of the video (at least 75%) raises awareness and inspires positive social action on issues affecting todays youth.

The following are some topics that can get you started in thinking about your video:

Show how the Internet can be used for positivity and spreading a message of acceptance instead of hatred.
Bullies only do what bystanders allow them to do—show your audience the power that a person can actually have in putting a stop to bullying.
Showcase how you’ve created a “NO BULL” movement in your school/class/club.
Illustrate ways youth can promote digital responsibility.
Communicate how words really do hurt and why—sticks and stones.
Tell the story of how taking the NO BULL Challenge has helped you/your team/student body to overcome a tragedy.
Show how cyberbullies use the Internet to attack their target, and how to turn the situation around to achieve a positive outcome.
Tell how sexting can turn into a ugly situation.
Show why teens need to ask an adult for help when they’re in need.
Tell why and how joining in on conversations on bash and hate pages and fake profiles, can lead to serious trouble.
Showcase a NO BULL competition in your school or class.
Tell a story of a cyberbully who turned into a cyber-friend.
Show how protecting your social network is critical and what could happen if you don’t.
Document your story of how you’ve used the NO BULL campaign as a way to raise funds and start an anti-cyberbullying movement.
Speak to the importance of being an “upstander”—standing up for friends when they’re being attacked online— as opposed to being a bystander.
Tell a story of how a message can go viral and quickly turn ugly.
Present the importance of safety, password protection, etc.
Document the making of your own NO BULL video.
Tell how the NO BULL Challenge has raised awareness about digital responsibility within your circle of friends/school/community.

Once you’ve chosen your topic, think about the most effective way to present it. For example, tell it as a story, develop a how-to demonstration or make a music documentary.

Planning Your Shoot

Step 1: Develop your script

Write down what you want your characters and/or narrator to say. Select your actors. Decide on and describe the visuals within each shot, including camera angles. Include any music you plan to use (Do not use anything with a copyright). Make sure your script is detailed enough so you can plan each shot—but don’t get overwhelmed with too many details at this stage.

Step 2: Scout and select your locations.

Think about where you’ll shoot each scene and where on campus may be most appropriate. Consider which locations at your school will make the best visuals and which are most “do-able.” Determine which areas require special permission to shoot and spaces where you can work most safely.

Step 3: Develop a storyboard.

A storyboard is a visual of what each scene will look like. The visuals can be as simple as a rough pencil sketch — just enough to give you the basic idea. In general, you should have one storyboarded frame for each scene or each time the camera angle or background changes.

Step 4: Create a schedule.

Make sure your production team, actors and editors are all on the same page. Chart out the time you’ll spend shooting and editing. Then — stick to the schedule!

Step 5: Get permission and get help.

If you plan to shoot your documentary on school property or on private property, you’ll need written permission. Anyone who appears on camera and can be recognized in any manner will need to sign a Talent Release Form, if he/she is under 18. His/her parents or legal guardians will also need to sign the form. In making your video, you may consult with teachers or parents who are tech savvy. Their advice may help you create a winning story.

Step 6: Don’t do things that are unsafe.

When in doubt, ask an adult if what you’re planning is safe and smart. Better safe than sorry especially when you’re caught up in a creative frenzy!

Useful Tips

Positioning the Camera

You can make your shots more interesting by moving the camera around a scene.
If you want a smooth, rolling shot, position your camera on something that rolls and is fairly stable, like a wheelchair.
Keep the camera on a shot for at least five seconds even if your subject exits the frame. Holding shots in this way will be a big help when you begin editing.
When you finish a shot, shoot it again from another angle so you’ll have more choices when you edit.

Lighting

If you’re shooting outdoors, arrange people and objects to take advantage of available light. Early-morning or late-afternoon sunlight can give your video a beautiful “golden” look.
If you’re shooting indoors, place a few electric lights around your subject. (Lamps with clips, which you can find at a hardware store, are especially helpful.)
Try to balance out any shadows on people’s faces. Using a large piece of white foam-core can help you bounce light onto the shady part of someone’s face.

Composition

Think about what you want to convey before you frame the shot. For example, wide-angle shots show a person’s location. Use medium shots and close-ups to show someone’s expressions and emotions. You can vary your approach to scenes by using a wide, establishing shot that shows the viewer where you are, then cutting to a closer shot.
Cover up any brand names and/or logos on clothing, background items, props, etc. or just use plain, generic non-branded items.

Sound

Avoid shooting in locations with a lot of background noise (including wind). If you hear a sound problem when you’re shooting, stop and fix it right away.
In each location you use, let the mike record some silence, with no one talking or any background noise. You can use these “room tones” to bridge cuts from one scene to another when you edit.

Editing

Use only the shots that you absolutely need to tell your story. Don’t use filler for the sake of making a longer video. Often, less is more.
The right music helps set the mood as well as the pace. At the same time, remember that some scenes work better without music.
Unfortunately, you can’t use pre-recorded or copyrighted music unless you have a Master Use and Synchronization license! But you can use royalty-free music or have friends who are musicians, create music for your video. You can even make your own with software programs on your computer.
Take a break after you finish a rough edit and come back later. It helps to see things again through fresh eyes. And don’t hesitate to get feedback from others (like your parents or friends) while you’re editing.