1.1: So You Want to Make a Video?

WHY MAKE A VIDEO?

Educational experiences that involve the learner in the physical world and give concrete examples are retained longer than abstract experiences like listening to a lecture. Instructional media like pictures, video or simulations can add elements of reality to a presentation that would otherwise be largely conceptual.

One of the biggest advantages of video is to bring the world into the classroom when it is not possible to take the student into the world. When applied correctly, video can be a very effective communication tool. What better way to explain a farming technique, your research project or a laboratory process than to SHOW that technique, project or process to your audience?

Video can be a powerful tool, but poorly developed videos are NOT powerful. Have you ever watched a video of an extension workshop that was simply taped without any editing? While this type of video does provide information to people who could not be at the event, it is not always the best way to deliver that information. You can engage the viewer with the same information more efficiently, and with more impact, by developing a video or video series. The only way to accomplish this is through the processes of PLANNING and ORGANIZATION.

The purpose of this course is to walk you through the steps in planning a video and capturing all the audio, video and still photos you will need to complete it.  If you are a member of a project that is formally partnering with eOrganic, eOrganic staff will then take your plan and materials and make them into a video, send your video through eOrganic's editorial process, and publish the video to the eOrganic YouTube site.

The goal is not to make a movie-quality video; instead, the goal is to help you and your collaborators develop and publish a low-cost yet professional quality video that engages the viewer and efficiently delivers your message or information.

Below are some videos that we feel are models of low-cost yet effective videos. Later, we will talk about how each was filmed. For now, watch each video and take note of what you like and don't like about each. 

VIDEO: Weed Control in Organic Cereals

(uses voiceover audio with video and stills)

VIDEO: DNA Extraction and Marker Assisted Selection

VIDEO: Reigi Weeder (from Weed Em and Reap)

only watch to 2:20 ((video with audio overlaying additional video)
Note about filming: At the end, Suzy is reading her script from a large piece of paper behind the camera to keep her on track.

Below is an example of a video that would have been very useful if the quality was better.

http://mapofsaltspring.com/raven/MVI_1262.mov