Advanced Video Journalism

Tuesday, Feb. 22: Storytelling Basics

Hi all. First we’ll workshop any remaining pitches we didn’t get to last class. Then we’re going to talk about…

Assignments and Upcoming Dates

Assignment: Write a 1 or 2-page documentary treatment (longer if you are doing the 10-15 minute documentary this semester, shorter if you are doing a visual poem). A treatment is basically a much more thorough, fleshed-out pitch. In a treatment, you have moved past the initial ideas stage and have already secured access to your main characters/locations. It contains a shooting plan, timeline, narrative outline, and relevant logistics.

When discussing your plan for a story arc, please think in terms of the storytelling basics we’re going to touch on today.

Sample Treatment

VISUAL POEM DUE DATES

Treatments will be due Tuesday, March 1 if you’re doing the visual poem.

The rough cut for visual poems will be due Tuesday, March 15. Final cuts will be due Tuesday, March 22.

10-15 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY DUE DATES

Treatments will be due Thursday, March 3 if you’re doing the 10-15 minute documentary.

An initial five-minute cut of your docs will be due on Tuesday, March 22.

Onto the lecture…

The Basics of Storytelling

Sample visual poem:

https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2021/11/10/gone-viral/