 |  |
Here's how to develop a list of chapter topics for your how-to video or DVD. Includes an example from actual video along with DVD menu.
In Part I of The 5 minute guide to writing a script for your how-to video, I showed how to quickly write a script outline for a video (or DVD) on just about any subject. In Part II , I showed how to write the welcome and introductory segments of the video.
In Part III (this article), I'll show you how to develop your chapter list - the list of short subtopics you cover in your video.
The strategy
When I write an outline script for a how-to video, I try to pattern the 'flow' of the video to match that of a typical TV mystery story.
The idea is to present in the first few minutes enough details to get the viewer interested, and then follow with several short video segments (usually no longer than five minutes each) designed to build a body of information which leads the audience to the ultimate solution or benefit they were seeking in watching the video.
Using this technique not only makes it easier for the viewer to follow the flow of information, it actually corresponds with the way viewers have learned to watch TV (a few minutes of story line, followed by a 30 second break). By breaking up the information into easily digestible video segments, the viewer isn't as likely to get lost or bored.
Creating a video this way allows you to build on a body of knowledge. You show the viewer how to do something in one segment, and in the next you build on that knowledge by showing them how to do something else using the knowledge they gained in the previous segment.
As they watch the video they learn about the subject matter in a progression of easy to understand steps. (Again, much easier than being force fed an hour of uninterrupted video.)
Building the topic list
When it comes to building the list of subtopics to be covered in your how-to video or DVD, I generally start by asking the question, "If I were considering purchasing this video, what topics would I want to see covered?"
The idea is to approach the list of subtopics from the point of view of the potential customer. What topics would they like to see? Which would have the most appeal? Which would make them more likely to purchase the video?
As you think about this (from the point of the consumer), imagine picking up the box that contains the video or DVD, and reading the back cover to see what is covered by the product. That back list is generally a bullet list that covers the highlights of the video.
That bullet list should be the starting point of the list of your sub topics.
An example
I recently completed an outline script for a video I was working on. Before I wrote the outline, I wrote the bullet list to appear on the back of the DVD box. Here's what the bullet list looks like:
|
Developing and Managing Profitable Subscription Web Sites
This DVD provides a behind-the-scenes look at the development and management of profitable subscription web sites as seen through the eyes of Bill Myers, who has been involved in setting up 150+ subscription web sites (for clients large and small). You'll learn how to do it right, how to avoid the biggest mistakes, how to come in under budget and on schedule, and how to significantly increase your chance of success.
Find all this and more including examples of many successful subscription web sites. |
Using the above bullet list as my starting point, I developed the following outline:
- Introduction and welcome
- What is a subscription web site
- The subscription web site business model
- The profit potential of a subscription web site
- Subscription web site start up costs
- Choosing the right topic for your subscription web site
- Subscription web site pricing strategies
- Subscription web site design choices
- Eight steps for effective zero cost marketing
- Subscription web site startup check list
- Tools needed to develop a subscription web site
- Eight steps to success with a subscription web site
For each chapter in the outline, I wrote a list of bullet points to cover the information in that subtopic, and then when I got ready to shoot, I'd read the list, turn the camera on, and start taping.
The resulting DVD Menu
Using sub chapters and bullet point topics works out great when creating videos, and translates to DVDs quite well.
In the above example, when I completed the video, I edited it using Vegas 4, adding transition background music and a title between each chapter. Then created a smooth flowing video.
I then printed the finished video to miniDV tape. And then I rendered MPEG-2 DVD optimized video, which input into DVD Architect, where I created a DVD menu and the burned a DVD.
The DVD menu is shown below.
 |
|
Other advantages of shooting in chapters
From a technical point of view, shooting your video in sub chapters makes the editing process much easier. Instead of working with a single long video track, you are working with much smaller pieces - usually 5 minutes or less.
This means if you find a problem and have to re-shoot a scene, only a few minutes of shooting is needed. Plus, you can quickly add or delete individual topic chapters if your video runs too long or too short.
And from the point of view of the person being on camera - it is much easier to only have to be in the hot lights for 5 minutes per shoot than it is to be there for an hour (because it gets real hot under those lights real quick!)
Coming Up
In the next article in this series, I'll show you a simple technique of video editing which can make your videos look very professional. Using this technique, you'll be amazed at how well your videos turn out.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission prohibited.