1.4: What Type of Video Will You Make?

The three basic video types are

Informative
Instructional (or "How-To")
Testimonial or Story-Telling

Whatever type of video you choose to make, remember to keep it SIMPLE and STRAIGHTFORWARD.

Informative Videos

An informative video informs people about something or shares subject matter knowledge. An eample of this type of video is an introduction to a research project.

Below is an informative video made to introduce and summarize the NOVIC project. The intended audience was a tasting panel of chefs that were rating several pepper varieties trialed in the project.

VIDEO: Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC) video

Instructional or "How-To" Videos

Instructional videos teach the viewer how to do something step by step. After watching the video, the audience should know HOW to do it, so you need to make sure you include all the necessary steps (and leave out unnecessary information).

Instructional (in the lab) example:

VIDEO: DNA Extraction and Marker Assisted Selection

Instructional (in the field) example:

VIDEO: Organic No-Till Roller Crimper (from Weed Em and Reap)

Testimonial or Story-Telling video

This type of video shares a story. The purpose of testimonial videos are to bring the power, passion, and expertise of the person telling the story to the message. Videos can be both testimonial and informational (and how-to)! Below is an example of a very compelling story-telling video that also informs and demonstrates to a degree.