DOCUMENTARY OPENING (“HOOK”)

By now students have thoroughly researched the issues, formulated an opinion, and determined their target audience. The Lead-In Activity is designed to provide students with a variety of options for the opening or “hook” to their documentary

STORYBOARD

The storyboard is single most important element in the making of a documentary or PSA – it is the blueprint for the entire video product.  The Storyboard Activity leads students through the process of creating a storyboard step by step.  Two sample storyboards have been provided, though we encourage students to use the Critical Analysis Flowchart to develop their own logical argument using the Blank Student Storyboard.  Upon completion of this activity, students should be ready to begin editing.  Students should have access to the footage or shot lists while completing the worksheet.

Note: Additional footage has been provided for advanced students who wish to create more sophisticated documentaries. They will need to use the Critical Analysis Flowchart to create their own storyboard.

OPTIONAL: Inter/Intra-School Collaboration: Set up a bulletin board that students can use to post questions, look for shots, or get help with technical issues. Take 2 has also created a collaborative student/teacher website at www.take2videos.ning.com. Students can use this site to collaborate with each other as well as to communicate with schools in other states and foreign countries. Take 2 encourages students to post their project video on the site for professional feedback.   Collaborative tools include forums, wikis, blogs, podcasts, photo and video posting options.

EDITING

Students have now completed 80% of their video project before ever touching an editing keyboard.  If the groundwork has been done properly, the editing itself is little more than a video paint-by-numbers – choosing images to match narration, adding music, recording voice over, and inserting graphics.

A few notes before your students begin editing:

• The Write Out Loud Power Point presentation that accompanies this curriculum will help students create clear and compelling narration for their mini documentaries and public service announcements.

  • The Video Sequence List is a valuable editing tool.

  • Once students have created a “rough cut”, they tend to run out of steam.  It is important to leave time and, if possible, to create incentives to encourage them to continue polishing their projects.  Peer reviews are an excellent idea, but be careful to keep them positive and constructive. 

   

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