MESSAGES JEN IOUGON A TOOLKIT FOR MAKING YOUR OWN MEDIA! WE MUST DOCUMEN WHERE WE ARE, SOWE CAN ARTICULATE WHERE WE WANT 1d BE, AND BEGIN TD IMAGINE HoW WE WiLL 6€7 THERE Media can help us stay informed, educate others, inspire, motivate and bring about positive social change. Unfortunately almost 100% of what we see, hear and read comes from corporate media, the dominant communication system in the US, where the focusis on making money. Corporate media doos not reflect the interests of people or our daily experiences, Modia can be independent, community driven, and representative of diverse Voices, perspectives and styles that reflect our uniqueness as individuals and speak to our needs as communities. FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO MAKE AI-5 MINUTE VIDEO POSTCARD THAT TELLS A PERSONAL OR COMMUNITY STORY ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOUY SIF? ONE PREPRODUCTION: Certrreswce™ ' AND PLANNINe. ledia, can take many forms or genres, ike action, drama, animation or experimental. MIM is going to focus on the documentary genre because your reality is ‘unique and interesting, and uniike anything we see on TV. You are the main character and director of your story. This allows you to have control over how you ‘want to present yourself, your ideas and your thoughts to the world. IF YOU DON'T SPEAK FOR YOURSELF, SOMEONE ELSE MAY SPEAK FOR YOU. Your voice is important. Your voice is necessary to a healthy, democratic society! Imagine you are sending video Postcard ta someone. Ths vdeo will dacument your environment, and express what you are thinking at this moment inte, [IM believes that itis important to situate our issues and stris in alargor context. By documenting where we ar, both physically as well as emotionally, we ‘can begin to analyze aur situation and work toward altamativs. For that reason MIM is focusing on2types of short frm documentary, personal sary and = PERSONAL STOR var manesa soo sroR? IN THIS VIDED, YOU WILL SPEAK FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE. TAKE A MOMENT TOTHINKWRITE ABOUT: HERE ARE SOME IDEAS: ‘What issues are important to me? |.ANECOOTE (sequence of actions/events) which should ead the reader to ask questions andfecla ‘What do want peopl 1 know about me? particular emotion, 2. MOMENTS OF REFLECTION What story am trying tote? (bore is why you are watchinglistening: Try to connect the story ta larger social issue) What has impacted me most growing up in my neighborhood? % F the annersto these questions will How has a bigger socal issue effected me? Shp you eect your auto track Remember to think cout audionce: Who is my message directed to? NXCOMMUNITY STORY TELLA COMMUNITY STORY THROUGH A PARTICULAR EVENT OR ACTIVITY. This sane approach ize journalism which canbe defined asthe clecton, analysis, and dissemination of publicly relevant information.” PREPARE YOURSELF BY CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING: Where and when this event taking place? What story do want to el? ‘TRYTO FOCUS ON ONE ASPECT OF THE ‘EVENT; THIS WILL ALLOW YOU TO HAVE CLARITY AND DETAILS! Why am writing his, and why do think the viewer should watch? THIS IS YOUR MESSAGE, Your message iste significant point orcontral theme, it may have politica, social, or moral importance ‘Who do want ta interview and what perspective wil hoy bring tothe story? Consider interviewing yourself you, too, can be an expert! How doos this story affct the viewer? If it doosit impact tho viewer, maybe it shouldn't bea community story, and you should ry 2 porsanal approach fist. itis important to express your MESSAGE and ideas, but ty to concude wih anacinthat you want the viewer to take Turn your MESSAGES int an ACTION by concluding wth action-oriented words (THINK, CONSIDER, ACT, DO, SHARE). Include ways o get more information on you opie (or example a website). Your immediate environment may have everything you need for your move, Creativity arses from our ability to see things from different angles and perspectives. Observe your surroundings for images and ideas, RECORDING AVDIO STEP TWO. PRODUCTION: ano viswae maTeR aL. Before you begin shooting, use the postcard template to prepare Use the space tothe ight o answer pre-production questions which wil form the basis of your audio tack, aka VOICEOVER AVOICEOVERis dialogue heard over your movie, the speakers not shown, This doesnot have to be formal. Depending on your video, can take the form of rap, a fee write ora stream of loosely connected ideas. ‘may help to fist undetine some descrigtve wards you wrote in your outine. Think about what images comes to mind. Use the Video Storyboard to brainstorm images and shot eas. Draw key images that you want ofl, Think metaphorically about showing yourideas (for example, a sunrise can symbolize hope). Take a moment fo observe your surroundings. WHEN RECORDING SOUND, FIND A QUIET ENVIRONMENT, AND VSE THE MIC ON THE FRONT OF THE CAMERA. ‘THE IMAGES WILL BE A SERIES OF SINGLE SHOTS WHICH TOGETHER FORM A SEQUENCE. QA close up Tong shot ‘Try to vary your shot type, angle, and composition, Remember to hold your shot frat least 10 seconds, aif you are king a photo, Be creative, show new perspectives, and focus on details as wel asthe bigger picture.GOLDEN GUIDELINES OF THE FLIP CAMERA: {.Don't zoom, go closer 2. Find a steady surface- or use a tripod if you have one 3.Lot the action create movement, not your hand 4.Frame first, then record 5. Hold each shot for about than 10 seconds ‘THINK OF EACH SHOT AS A BUILDING BLOCK FOR YOUR STORY CibHT |S GOOD, SUNLIGHT 1S BEST, IT SHOULD COME FROM JHE GENERAL DIRECTION DF THE CAMERA WHEN POSSIBLE. S ce |e