Making Yourself Heard

Not too long ago, if you wanted to get an idea across, the best way to do it would be to write something, whether it's a blog post, magazine article, or book. In a world where people now interact with written texts through AI summaries in chat results, it’s going to be increasingly difficult to stand out in those mediums.

People interested in learning new ideas are starting to turn to video-based platforms as their first choice. In addition to being able to write your ideas in a compelling way, having the skills to present the script on video is becoming an increasingly necessary component of communicating in the modern world.

In this assignment, you will create a personal baseline from which you will be trying to improve (while doing something fun). Here are the elements you will be combining to create a product:

  1. Writing: Using language and ideas that are appropriate for your audience.

  2. Presentation/Speaking: Comfortability in front of the camera and engaging conversation.

  3. Video Production:

    • Layers & Text (text overlays like titles, or images/picture-in-picture)

    • Transitions & Timing (smooth movement between shots)

    • Colour & Framing (use of landscape and portrait content)

    • Audio (background music, clear recording, effective use)

Topic

Fundamentally, we're trying to teach you skills that could be applied to any topic, so pick something that is personal or fun to you:

  • Tell the story of what brings you to look for something outside the traditional school system.
  • Tell the story of your band/business/Minecraft server/etc.
  • Make up a story about a weird event that happened in your town.
  • Anything that you can turn into a narrative.

Just remember that you’re really just trying to get a baseline of your skills from the previous section, so don’t get too hung up on the specifics of the story.

Assignment

  1. Create a script for your topic. It’s okay to use AI, but explain how you used it and why you thought that would be the way to create the best product.
  2. Make a video using whatever equipment you have. Your use of the software is what is being considered, so even if your source video is shot in “potato quality”, if you can effectively demonstrate your presentation skills, it’s good enough for this assignment.
  3. Make a screencast reflection video where you review your process, from how you wrote your scripts to how you filmed and edited your video. Discuss the parts that went well and what you think you could work on for next time.
  4. Make sure you focus on the three elements (writing, presentation, video) in your work."

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

  • 📤
    Pre-Submission Self-Assessment Google Doc
  • 📤

    Script (Google Doc)

  • 📤

    3-5 minute narrative video

  • 📤

    3 minute reflection video

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Analyze effective media by deconstructing how creators use video techniques to influence an audience.

  • 🎯

    Communicate effectively on camera by using a variety of oral and non-verbal techniques to engage viewers.

  • 🎯

    Use video production tools purposefully to create a specific effect and clearly convey a message.

Success Criteria

I can:

  • Analyze how media creators influence their audience. This means identifying specific techniques (like editing, sound, and text overlays) in videos and explaining how they are used to create meaning and persuade viewers.

    Expectations Covered: C3.3, C3.4, C3.6
  • Use my voice and body language to engage an audience. This means purposefully changing my tone, pace, and non-verbal cues to make my video presentation more interesting and clear.

    Expectations Covered: B1.1, B3.1, B3.2
  • Make deliberate video production choices. This means selecting and using production elements (like music, text, and pacing) to enhance my message and then explaining how those choices helped communicate my ideas.

    Expectations Covered: B3.3, D3.2

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Knowledge & Understanding
Understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning
Demonstrates thorough and insightful understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning. Demonstrates considerable understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning. Demonstrates some understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning. Demonstrates limited understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning.
Thinking
Insight shown in reflection on creative choices and final message
Reflection shows a high degree of insight into how creative choices contributed to the final message. Reflection shows considerable insight into how creative choices contributed to the final message. Reflection shows some insight into how creative choices contributed to the final message. Reflection shows limited insight into how creative choices contributed to the final message.
Communication
Clarity of ideas and effectiveness of oral and non-verbal communication
Ideas are expressed with a high degree of clarity; oral and non-verbal techniques are highly effective. Ideas are expressed with considerable clarity; oral and non-verbal techniques are effective. Ideas are expressed with some clarity; oral and non-verbal techniques are somewhat effective. Ideas are expressed with limited clarity; oral and non-verbal techniques are minimally effective.
Application
Application of video production and presentation skills in the final product
Applies video production and presentation skills with a high degree of effectiveness. Applies video production and presentation skills with considerable effectiveness. Applies video production and presentation skills with some effectiveness. Applies video production and presentation skills with limited effectiveness.
Knowledge & Understanding
Criteria: Understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning
Level 4

Demonstrates thorough and insightful understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning.

Level 3

Demonstrates considerable understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning.

Level 2

Demonstrates some understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning.

Level 1

Demonstrates limited understanding of how video production techniques are used to create meaning.

Thinking
Criteria: Insight shown in reflection on creative choices and final message
Level 4

Reflection shows a high degree of insight into how creative choices contributed to the final message.

Level 3

Reflection shows considerable insight into how creative choices contributed to the final message.

Level 2

Reflection shows some insight into how creative choices contributed to the final message.

Level 1

Reflection shows limited insight into how creative choices contributed to the final message.

Communication
Criteria: Clarity of ideas and effectiveness of oral and non-verbal communication
Level 4

Ideas are expressed with a high degree of clarity; oral and non-verbal techniques are highly effective.

Level 3

Ideas are expressed with considerable clarity; oral and non-verbal techniques are effective.

Level 2

Ideas are expressed with some clarity; oral and non-verbal techniques are somewhat effective.

Level 1

Ideas are expressed with limited clarity; oral and non-verbal techniques are minimally effective.

Application
Criteria: Application of video production and presentation skills in the final product
Level 4

Applies video production and presentation skills with a high degree of effectiveness.

Level 3

Applies video production and presentation skills with considerable effectiveness.

Level 2

Applies video production and presentation skills with some effectiveness.

Level 1

Applies video production and presentation skills with limited effectiveness.