Plan-Move-Point-Shoot-Stop-Edit

Here are my take-aways to Plan-Move-Point-Shoot-Stop-Edit:

I.Plan:

• Make sure that every video, scene, and shot has a clear intent of how you want the audience to react and be explicit
• Select a point-of-view (the “side”/opinion of a specific individual)
• Either script or build a checklist of an anticipated key shots

1. Move:

• Keep the light behind you; make sure the lighting matches the story
• Match location, background, and foreground to the story
• Make moves in large increments

III. Point:

• Focus on people’s eyes to capture emotion
• Do not move the camera or use digital zoom before or during the shot
• Keep the focus of your image out of the middle square of a 3×3 grid
• Use an external mic (lavaliere or boom)

1. Shoot:

• Make every shot an action with a clear hero and a beginning, middle, and end.
• Make each scene answer questions from the prior scene and raise new ones
• If using two cameras, manually synch their AWB (automatic white balance)

1. Stop:

• Keep shots under 10 seconds (if traveling, shoot two 10-sec shots per hour)

1. Edit:

• Keep videos as short as possible; if doing a how-to, consider breaking into a series
• Edit out everything that does not need to be there
• Limit the use of graphics/text/titles; if used, make text/titles simple (ex: Helvetica) and effect-free
• Consider using a call-back to link the final shot to the initial shot
• Music & Sound: Test music that is on-story, counter-story; and unrelated and see what works; Add natural sound effects
• Rely almost completely on cuts with a rare wipe (to convey movement) and even rarer dissolve (to shift to a somber mood)
• Seek feedback and address all common concerns and think about unique ideas/concerns