This document provides guidance on creating short educational films. It discusses choosing a core message and concept that can be summarized in 25 words or less. It emphasizes keeping videos concise with 1-2 main messages. The document also covers script writing tips like using a question/answer format for dialogue, and practical production tips such as choosing simple backgrounds and doing multiple takes. The goal is to engage audiences and reinforce a clear message through humor and brevity.

1. Weaselling your Way IntoYour Students Hearts Screenwriting and movies for education and training Gareth J Johnson Weasel Televisual Enterprises (and University of Leicester )

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3. Creating movies for training, education or promotion Considering the educational power of humour Going from script to screen Some of the practicalities …Fade In

4. All role-playing will be me only …no, I’m not going to make you work with puppets Feeling The Fear Role-playing Puppetry

5. Started filming in 2007 for fun Bought a camera and editing software Moved on to developing short films Started using videos in (some) teaching and training Made freely available Genesis of the Weasel

6. Where do humour and librarians meet? A powerful a communication tool as rhetoric or repetition Makes it engaging A key goal for any education or marketing Makes it memorable Audiences will remember serious points made Makes it digestible Sugar coating for difficult topics A Comedy Tonight

7. How can this be educational? Breaks the ice Change of focus, raises attention levels Re-enforcement of core message Provides respite for the speaker Available for local and distance learners Won’t click for everyone Neither do other forms of instruction or promotion Another weapon in the arsenal Educating Weasel

8. A video short should contain 1 core concept Concept encapsulated in 25 words or less Start simple with message then plot then dialogue Choose your artistes with care Dull inflection/intonation bring death on swift wings Availability can be the key factor Get someone else to film it if you can… Block out plenty of time the first time Video: Planning

9. Remember the hook The opening line has to grab the audience’s attention Get someone else to read/review the script Spot the best bits and polish your diamonds Helps avoid major clangers Write for your audience Brevity, clarity and punch Basic screenwriting techniques will help Not a simple migration of words to screen Use or adapt a template style or format Keep thinking message, message, message Video: Scripting

10. A need to make use of a visual grammars The lexicon of movement and reaction Show don’t tell at the heart of best practice Fewer words and more movement Don’t over rely on cliché Bookshelves back drop can be a major turn off Talking heads looking straight into the camera …but can be a handy visual shorthand Breaking the rules What works for me, might not work for you Experiment – it might just work Video: Finessing

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13. Think about your audience & stakeholders

15. Think about practicalities of the shoot

17. Videos are a non-trivial creation exercise A 3-5 minute movie might well take Plotting, scripting, planning 1-2 hours Set up, shoot and re-shoot 1-2 hours Editing & polishing 2-3 hours May not be consecutive periods Helps if are relatively close together Need for script approval can increase times Timing is Everything

18. Be wary of information overload Tempting to cram too much in - One or two core messages only Remember clarity, pacing and engagement Shooting tips Always consider simple backgrounds Avoid busy backgrounds Make sure it’s well lit Shoot once, shoot twice, shoot thrice Be prepared for reshoots after rough cut Your Name In Lights

19. Keeping it on track Complex/long scripts make for more time consuming shoots and editing A little each day is a more manageable approach Good editing can save weak movie making Can sharpen by trimming dead air Daily rushes & rough cuts Screen to a small audience & listen to their feedback or comments Be prepared to make (minor) changes or reshoots Outputs in multiple formats Lower res for web, higher res for DVD & archive Editing: Saving It In The Mix

20. Get someone else to read the script out loud Do multiple takes of every scene Be aware of backgrounds and lighting Use what ever software you are happy with Make & watch a rough edit as quickly as possible Produce low & high quality final versions Back up your original footage The Golden Rules

21. Keep thinking… Message, message message Fade Out…

22. Contact gazjjohnson@googlemail.com 0116-252-2055 Twitter www.twitter.com/llordllama Videos www.youtube.com/llordllama Facebook tinyurl.com/weaselchums After the Film