Goal: Create a compelling video that explains some topic in physics. Your goal is to make a video that is short, accurate, interesting and fun. The footage can be live video, screencast, animation or some combination thereof.
You may work alone or with a partner. If working with a partner, you must both contribute equally to the project's completion. When finished, each person should submit a statement (by email, directly to me) of who contributed what aspects of the project: brainstorming, writing the script, artwork, acquisition or construction of props or demonstration equipment, acting and narration, photography, and editing.
There should be a title credits screen (use your first names only) and the editing should be tight (cut out mistakes, umms and ahhs, or extraneous material). The final video should have VGA resolution (640×480), preferably in MP4 format.
You are welcome to use any video editing software you prefer. If you don't currently have editing software, here are some free options:
High-quality final products will be permanently enshrined on the Physics ADV website.
DO's and DON'T's
- Leave title slides on only long enough to read. Often the default time is too long (and therefore boring).
- Don't read your script if you are on-camera. Memorize it, or extemporize. If you can't do those, then do a voice-over instead.
- Don't include your full name anywhere in the video. First names are OK.
- When showing photos or screencast, they don't speak for themselves. Use voiceover narration.
- Make sure voiceover narration is properly synchronized to the video.
- Show enthusiasm in your voice. Don't speak in a monotone.
- Don't talk about something that is technical or complicated without diagrams or images.
- Don't use technical vocabulary without explaining terms.
- Make sure pictures and video are in focus.
- Doublecheck your grammar and punctuation.
- If there's a problem, fix it. Reshoot if needed.
- Don't read dictionary definitions. Instead put definitions and explanations in your own words.
- Double-check your facts. Just because you find it on the Internet doesn't mean it's true.
- Find out how to pronounce all the words you use.
- Don't use diagrams that are sloppy. You don't have to be a great artist, but if a diagram is very messy, it's distracting to the viewer. Draw the diagram carefully ahead of time, or find someone who can.
- Include jokes if you want, but make sure they are actually funny to someone other than yourself.
- Don't use copyrighted music in the soundtrack.
Here are the May 2012 and May 2011 projects. Note, not all of these satisfied the requirements listed above, so don't necessarily take all of these as models to emulate. |
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