For my last unit in Professional Multimedia Content Creation, I had to work with Adobe Premiere Pro to create a video story that relates to my semester topic. As I started this new project, I made sure I took the time to read the unit’s materials to understand better the task at hand and the different ways to go about it. This was my first time working with Premier Pro, and while I really enjoyed it, it had its challenges.
My video story is a promotional video for the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS). Since my semester topic is animal rescue, I thought it would be perfect to visit the WHS and get footage of their building from the outside, inside, and of the animals. My hope with this video story is to encourage people to visit this location to adopt their next pet.
To film my video I used my iPhone. I made sure to only film and photograph horizontally, since that is what our readings suggested. I also kept in mind the 10-second rule, meaning shooting each shot or angle for at least 10 seconds. Finally, I also made sure to keep in mind the 3×3 Method, which encourages a diverse sequence of shots by filming an angle from a wide, medium, and close-up frame.
After my afternoon of filming, it was time to begin organizing my shots and labeling them to make sure I knew what each shot was before putting the video together. I then created a storyboard, featured below, that outlines step-by-step how my visuals and audio are ordered to tell my story. After this was done, it was time to start putting my video story together!
My video story begins by showing the outside of the WHS (the establishing shot), it gives a brief history of when it was founded and their mission. It then moves to point out some accomplishments and what they provide for the animals. Finally, it encourages people to rescue and to visit the WHS.
Within this video I wanted to convey emotion, while also sharing the importance of the work WHS does. To make sure the film and images looked cohesive I turned down the lightness on everything to -30, which also helped give the video an overall emotional and better look.
Changes
I received some great feedback on my video story draft, and some suggestions that I could implement in order to better my video. Overall, the point of the video came across well and it conveyed emotion well. The few suggestions I received were more on the technical side like, making sure the letters are more legible, the music has a good flow, and to add a link to the WHS website so viewers know where to go to adopt an animal.
I went back to my draft and started making edits. I made the letters bigger and and gave them a deeper shadow so they stood out more. I made a couple of changes on my wording and added the link for the WHS at the end with my call to action.
I also made some changes to the shots used. I added a new of a lady by a cat and switch two shots around.
The biggest change I made was the music! I really loved the music on my draft, however the original was too short, and it was very difficult for me to edit it in a way that it sounded smooth and could be 2 minutes long. So, I decided to look for different music, and ended up loving this new track! I think it goes really well with my message and the film.
I am very happy with the end result and hope you all enjoy it!
Storyboard
| Timestamp | Visuals and Effects | Audio |
| 0:00 | Close-up shot of Wisconsin Humane Society sign (Fades from black and white to color)
Text appears after 1 second; “Founded in 1879” |
Background music fades in |
| 0:03 | Wide shot of the WHS building and parking lot
Text “The WHS is committed…” |
Music continues |
| 0:06 | Medium shot of the WHS building
Text “protection, shelter, and care…” |
Music continues |
| 0:10 | Close-up shot of reception desk overhead | Music continues |
| 0:14 | Medium shot of door that lead to the dogs | Music continues |
| 0:18 | Medium shot of doors where dogs are kept
Text “There are about 10,000 adoptions…” |
Music continues |
| 0:21 | Close-up shot of sleeping dog
Text appears after 1 second; “Nearly 30 animal…” |
Music continues |
| 0:25 | Medium shot of dog standing looking down/up | Music continues |
| 0:29 | Medium shot of dog laying on blanket
Text “Our hope is…” |
Music continues |
| 0:33 | Close-up shot of dog by glass door | Music continues |
| 0:38 | Medium shot of dog laying on bed looking at me
Text appears after 1 second; “We offer warm bed” |
Music continues |
| 0:43 | Medium shot of two puppies on their bed
Text appears after 2 seconds; “Clean kennels and toys” |
Music continues |
| 0:54 | Close-up shot of dog standing and barking
Text “Loving staff to…” |
Music continues |
| 0:59 | Close-up shot of dog sleeping | Music continues |
| 1:03 | Medium shot of three puppies running around
Text appears after 4 seconds; “Give them a loving…” and fades after 4 seconds |
Music continues |
| 1:19 | Close-up of dog behind dirty glass
Text “We never euthanize animal for reasons of…” |
Music continues |
| 1:23 | Medium shot of man (my husband) by dog
Text “You can find a loving companion here!” |
Music continues |
| 1:27 | Medium shot of lady by cat | Music continues |
| 1:30 | Close-up shot of long-haired cat | Music continues |
| 1:34 | Medium shot of kitty by glass window
Text appears after 1 second; “Help us find…” |
Music continues |
| 1:38 | Medium shot of kitty eating
Text appears after 1 second; “Visit us today…” |
Music continues |
| 1:43 | Close-up shot of black cat by glass door | Music continues |
| 1:48 | Close-up shot of sign about adoption
Text “Choose Rescuing” |
Music continues |
| 1:52 | Close-up shot of quote by George Dalton | Music continues |
| 1:56 | Last shot dips to black and credits appear | Music fades out |
References:
Video Storytelling Fundamentals
Music downloaded under the CCL on Free Music Archive. Track author: Scott Holmes; Song “Follow your Dream” from Corporate & Motivational Music Album 2
