CLEVERTIPS
How to make engaging videos to promote your school Videos produced in-house by staff and students are the perfect way to give visitors to your website a deeper insight into the unique character and personality of your school. Here are some tips on how to achieve the best results.
1
Plan ahead • Take the time to plan your video before you start filming. • Consider your viewer – how can you capture their attention quickly? • Write a script or create a storyboard, even if it is just a rough outline. This will help keep editing time to a minimum. • Remember to keep it short – most videos don’t need to be any more than 2-3 minutes.
2
Practice Being filmed can make anyone nervous, even those who are used to public speaking. Here are some tips to follow to help you achieve a calm and engaging screen presence. • Smile and stand up straight with shoulders back and arms uncrossed. • Slow down slightly when talking and enunciate clearly. • Practice! Film a run-through and let everyone see how they come across on screen.
3 Location and lighting • Pick a brightly lit location that relates to your subject matter. • Remove unnecessary clutter. Messy backgrounds are distracting and can look unprofessional. • Solid-colour backgrounds work well when the focus should be on the presenter or interviewee. • Use a lighting set up if you can or lots of natural light from a large window. • Avoid direct overhead lighting and harsh shadows, including midday sunshine. • Know what is going on behind you and make sure you don’t have any unwanted interruptions.
4 Filming and sound recording • Use the best filming and sound equipment that you have access to. • Use an external microphone if possible and try to avoid any background noise. • Use a tripod even if you are using a phone – camera shake and hand-held movement can make your video appear unprofessional. • If you need to move or change perspective, try cutting from one shot to another – too much panning can be distracting for the viewer.
5 Get creative with content Adding a variety of videos to the video gallery on our Virtual Open Event Platform will give viewers the chance to experience the rich diversity of life at your school.
!
Here are a few ideas:
Remember to make sure you have permissions in place for any staff or students who appear in your videos.
• Showcase your students and get them to talk about their achievements. • Film behind the scenes at events and combine with footage of performances or sport events. • Interview staff about why they love working at your school. • Create short sample lessons to give potential students a feel for your school’s learning experience. • Create short ‘Welcome to our department’ videos to highlight key aspects of each subject area.
Get in touch if you would like to know more about our Professional Video Services or our Virtual Open Day Platform 020 8466 7222
team@cleverbox.co.uk
www.cleverbox.co.uk
A powerful marketing tool - not just for Open Days! Keep your video gallery updated with fresh content to make sure you are promoting the best your school has to offer to potential students and staff throughout the year.