Thread by @heyproto

Busy day ahead! Later today is out meetup on creating immersive experiences (you can still sign up: bit.ly/2XElIfp). Right now we're about to kick off a workshop on filming and editing video on your phone, led by @Wayseller. Here's a peek at our prep! #MeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller And we're off! @Wayseller gives the introduction to the workshop #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Why don’t we see video stories about the 2G scam? It wasn’t a story that lent itself to video. Very important to identify the types of stories that work on video. If there’s a scam in a circus, there’s so much to see. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Any story where emotion plays a role in the story is a good option, because you can see the person express emotions in front of you, which is more powerful on video than in text. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller The inciting incident: it’s the genesis of your story, and more often than not it’s not on camera. So you have to recreate it, but there are ethical concerns with that. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Is it ok to recreate something? Is it ok to ask someone to do something they wouldn’t normally? To repeat something they did that is wrong? #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller The emotional appeal of video is what makes it very suitable for propaganda, so be careful to contextualise problematic clips and consider whether you should use them #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller When doing text and video make sure that they don’t overlap. If you can see something, you don’t have to say it. #HeyMEdiaVideo

@Wayseller Look for “nat pop”, natural pop, which is natural sound like a match striking, a hammer falling, a door slamming, and use it to transition between dialogue. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Find a character who can express themselves. Spend time with them to make them comfortable. Use people who are dynamic, can engage the audience and speak well. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller When you deal with someone who is not at the same level of privilege as you, consent is of utmost importance. You can try to persuade people to let you show things, but eventually you have to abide by the subject’s wishes. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Explain everything to the subject, make sure they understand what will happen, what the equipment will be, who will be present and who will see it uncut. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller The audience must be in the forefront of your thinking, more than the source, more than the editor. You have to get the story across. But, if your source is vulnerable, you must protect them while you tell their story. You find a way to work around the problem. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Never do a video without emotion. Always remember factual and emotional integrity. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller There’s a difference between a character and a source. Every source isn’t a character, but every character is a source. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller A character has to be doing something called “filmable action”. Choose the clown, over the banker, because the clown is doing things that are visually interesting, but a banker is sitting in front of a laptop. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Curatable action: pre-existing footage that works for your story. If you don’t have it, your story can’t be about what happens in it--but you can allude to it. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller How much to put in your video? It comes down to length. The most basic story should not be shorter than 1 min 30 seconds. Each byte should be 15 seconds, and the total time the bytes have should not be more than 50% of the total length. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller There has to be a story you’re telling visually that is above and beyond what people are saying. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Show your locations, especially the dominant ones.

(Shown here is trainer in the dominant location of the conference room.)

#HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Even if you’re not scripting, you must storyboard. Talk to people, understand what’s there and then make sure you know what you want to capture on camera. You should not be surprised by what people say. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller When you’re shooting, be present. Listen to what’s going on around you, see what’s happening in front of you. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Video is usually done from outside to inside. Start with your establishing shot from far away. Go closer to a mid-shot, and then one closeup or more, and then back to wide. Never go from one side shot to another, unless that’s the goal. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Every scene has an establishing shot. Then show things the person is doing, the B-roll. Always have a wide shot, mid shot, close-up close-up. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller The camera is the truth. It is there. It will change the situation. Be open to that and plan for it. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller One of our attendees tells us of her experience, seeking and getting permission from two people, who were happy to let her film, but the supervisor walked in and shooed her off. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Another says she had a plan but ended up going in a completely different direction, but her subjects, safai karamcharis, were ok to be filmed but did not want to speak #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller You can run into all sorts of problems with filming, the chai walas can be busy, someone can stop you from filming, and even when you have permission you might not have the commitment you need #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Everyone shares their stories of trying to get video with all the shots you need to tell the story. You need to figure out what works for you, and even then, the only way you can get a lot of video is to try to get a lot of video. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller It always helps to take the community into the conversation. Keep control of the whole situation, even when the authority figure comes in. Include them, but don’t cede control. #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller Remember, all your planning can still be upset, sometimes for better sometimes for worse. Be prepared to adapt your story and your storyboard. Just get all your shots! #HeyMediaVideo

@Wayseller And it's a wrap! What a lovely group of people came together for this wrokshop. Many thanks for their patience and enthusiasm. I hope we'll be seeing you soon!