Activity - Paper Sliding/"Paperworks" style 

     Brainchild of  Common Craft Video Production

Make a Video on One of the Following

• How I want to use the Flip Video in my class
• Video tips on how to capture a great interview
• Tips for creating a better video
• Use your imagination as long as you can use the props we've provided.
• See this Final Product Example from Jennifer Nicholson. 

Background Info

Awesome Blog Entry from Lee Lefever of CommonCraft (originators of the paper sliding concept) with pictures of all of their steps.

Tips to Consider (video link)

1. Camera height - suspend camera from something over the table if possible and shoot down at the table.
2. Tripod - a gripping tripod may be useful for suspending the camera.
3. Framing - avoid getting the edges outside of your background paper as it looks tacky. 
4. Practice, practice, practice - Script should be read with expression, movements of props/paper should be smooth without delays.
5. Artwork - clean, simple artwork with bold black outlines and selective use of color can make or break your final product.
6. Shadows - watch for shadows and consider using an extra light source. Check out this CommonCraft Blog entry with pictures of their video studio and use four halogen lights!
7. See CommonCraft Blog entry with shots of Lee Lefever's work for more tips.

Preparing For the Interview

(30 minutes)

     1. Evolve your questions:

• Front Door Questions - These questions get you into the conversation

"What were you doing when you were our age?" . . .

• Hallway Questions - Get you deeper into the conversation

Ask the interviewee a question about something they have said that really jumped out at you and you relate it back to yourself

This is hard to prepare in advance - requires you listen to the interviewee

• Basement  Questions - Brings you to the purpose of the interview - ask what you really want to know
  

     2. Respect the interviewee's time

     3. Ask a final closing question

Interview Prep - Activity

1. In your interview group - download the Interview Questions pdf.
2. Write down some sample Front Door and Basement questions that you want to ask that will help you to discover the true person that you are interviewing.
3. Take turns being the interviewer and the interviewee.

Activity - Video Interviewing Techniques

(10 minutes) ADRIENNE/Eileen

Tips to Consider (video link)

1. Camera height

2. Tripod 

3. Avoid profiles

4. Avoid interviewee looking into camera directly

5. Rule of thirds

6. Avoid wide shots

7. Consider close-ups to show emotion

Conduct Interview

(30 minutes)

1. Conduct the Interview keeping in mind the following:
• If you have more than one video camera, place one where you can see the interviewee's face, another to capture both the interviewers and interviewee.
• If you only have one camera, use the video techniques mentioned above. 
  
• Start the video rolling BEFORE you sit down to interview 

Editing Your Video 

Editing Software - hands-on

(45 minutes) ADRIENNE/Eileen

1. Overview

2. Installing and opening the software

3. Built-in help

4. Save videos to computer

5. Trim video (trim beginning and/or end of individual video in edit mode, save with new name)

6. Create movie (combine clips with titles and music)

7. Snapshot (export still image from a video)

Additional Paperworks Resources & Examples

More Examples

 Professional Common Craft video explanation with paper - Example

Thank you to Karen McMillan for sharing the work of her 8th graders on explorers:

Samuel de Champlain 

 Flip Video Resources from the Flipspotlight channel on You Tube

          Preproducing Your Video - Purpose of the video, shot list, interview - including main point, multiple cameras, tripod, video releases

          Shooting Your Video - Create intro, capture shot list, introduce clips while filming, conclusion

          Editing Your Video in FlipShare - Import clips into computer from camera, label clips, create folders, trim clips, create your movie