Video Tips

Girls’ Voices at Home video storytelling helps you tell your story during this extended period at home. Rebecca Dharmapalan, Girls’ Voices Facilitator and Judge for the Girls’ Voices for Change Contest, has been creating short documentaries to create change since she was 16. In these videos,, she shares some of the main concepts for creating a memorable real-life video story that can change how people think, see and feel.

Videography 1:

Introduction

Meet Rebecca Dharmapalan, Your Videography Guru!

Rebecca Dharmapalan, Girls’ Voices Facilitator and Judge for the Girls’ Voices for Change Contest, has been creating short documentaries to create change since she was 16. In this short course, she shares some of the main concepts for creating a memorable real-life video story that can change how people think, see and feel. Girls’ Voices at Home Videography helps you tell your story during this extended period at home.

Safe at Home Creativity Guidelines

Rebecca shares with us how to create safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch and Be Inspired

Before you get started, we recommend watching other pieces to get ideas. This video was created during COVID-19 by Miriam in Uganda. Notice how she tells her story, her main message, and any imagery that stood out to you. What did you like about the piece?

Videography 2:

Intention

Rebecca shares the importance of digging deep inside to determine what you want your main story to be about. Before you pick up the camera, you want a plan and a picture in your mind of what you want to create.

What Is Your Intention?

Rebecca shares the importance of digging deep inside to determine what you want your main story to be about. What is your main intention, and how do you want to tell your story? Take some time to journal and express what you want your video to be about!!

Storyboarding

Rebecca shares how she plans her documentaries by using storyboarding. Once you have a clear idea of the intention of your film, you can begin to visualize your film with this simple tool.

Videography 3:

Get Behind the Camera

Rebecca shares some basic tips to feeling confident and creative with the camera.

Shooting Techniques

Rebecca shares how different shots evoke different moods and help to clarify your story. You may end up not using all of these techniques but we want you to be creative with your shooting so you have more options when you get to editing.

Watch and Be Inspired

From the U.S., Mia tells her empowering story of being dedicated to her dreams, family, and culture. What did you notice about the piece? What was the main message? Find five different types of shots in the piece.

Videography 4:

Speak Your Truth

Your main storyline can come from an interview or a narration that you create. In this session you will start your project by capturing your narration or interview!

Preparing for Narration

Rebecca talks about how to prepare for interviewing your main subject. For personal stories, that main subject may be you! Practice what you want to say, and don’t worry about getting it perfect. Speak from your heart, and make sure you have crystal clear audio – no matter what type of device you are using.

Watch and Be Inspired

From Jordan, Lilas talks about art, the way we connect our culture, life, and civilization, and that everyone has their own way of expressing art. What did you notice about the piece? What was the main message? Find five different types of shots in the piece.

Videography 5:

Bring it to Life with Imagery

Rebecca shares the different types of action shots and B-roll to bring your piece to the next level.

Bring it to Life with Imagery

Rebecca shares how action shots, or b-roll, bring stories to life. She shares how she gathers both literal and poetic imagery to add dimension and style to her stories.

Watch and Be Inspired

From Guatemala, Ana María was a part of the very first Girls’ Voices workshop. During the workshop, she learned how to tell her story through visual media. Ana Maria dreamt of graduating and giving back to her community by teaching young women just like her to read and write. Now, she is doing just that. What did you notice about the B-roll and action shots? How did they help to convey the main message?

Videography 6:

Bringing it All Together with Editing

You can spend a lifetime learning to edit! First, just learn the basics so your are able to share your main idea.

Approaches to Editing

Rebecca shares how she approaches editing – starting with her main interview, then adding music, action shots and titling. Get lost in perfecting your style and highlighting the key soundbites and unforgettable images of your story!

Watch and Be Inspired

From Haiti, Lomene shows how her entire community steps up to help everyone. And how women should be empowered to achieve anything they dream. What did you notice about the editing choices?

Watch and Be Inspired

In Argentina, Ashley shares her love for cinematography and the journey of discovering her independence in a new city. What did you notice about the editing choices?

Watch and Be Inspired

From Uganda, Immaculate dreams of becoming a plumber in order to extend safe water to her community and altogether end the challenge of disease from unsafe water. What did you notice about the editing choices?