Aniela
A year ago, if someone had told me that I would fly across seven seas as an international student in Canada, enroll in the Broadcasting Performance and Digital Media program, and create a unique Capstone Project, I would have thought they were crazy. As someone who’s extremely introverted, timid in new situations, the idea of interviewing four inspiring women from the Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge (KWC) region seemed daunting. Yet, I did exactly that! And here’s how you can too!
1. Finding Your Passion
The first step in creating a compelling video profile series is to find your passion. Videography can include various styles, for instance, food videography, vlogs, and event coverage. Start by asking yourself:
- What do I do best?
- What area am I truly passionate about?
In my case, I was torn between featuring the best travel spots in the KWC region, showcasing inspiring women, or creating a short film. Ultimately, I chose to focus on inspiring women because, as a woman from a different culture, I wanted to learn how women empower themselves in a developed country like Canada. This decision made me want to explore their stories through the lens of my camera.
Photo by Aniela Lama on anlaexplores.com
2. Conducting Research
Once you’ve identified your passion, it’s crucial to do your research. Understanding the viability of your project is essential. I initially considered other options, but as a one-person team handling everything from filming to editing, I realized that focusing on inspiring women was the most feasible choice.
How to Conduct Your Research?
In today’s digital world, Google is your best friend. I started by searching for terms like “women-owned businesses in Kitchener,” “women artists in Waterloo,” and “inspiring women in Cambridge.” This led me to several potential interviewees. I also used Google Maps to find nearby locations, ensuring that I could reach them easily given my limited resources.
3. Reaching Out
Now comes the challenging part: sending out emails. Expect a lot of rejections and cold calls. I emailed around 15 to 20 women before securing 2-3 good leads. Many people may not respond because they’re hesitant to let a stranger into their homes or workplaces. I created a template email that I personalized for each recipient, highlighting their work and including samples of my previous videos. Offering to create a free video for them often helped secure a positive response.
4. Setting Up Interviews
Once you get a yes, it’s time to set up a location, date, and time for the interview. Be polite and send your interview questions in advance. Reassure your interviewees that the video will not be used without their consent. Building trust is essential to ensure a smooth process.
5. The Big Day
On the day of the interview, arrive on time and make your interviewee feel comfortable. Engage them in conversation to help ease their nerves. Ask about their journey and show genuine interest in their work. Pre-interviewing them without the camera can help establish rapport, allowing them to trust you and provide authentic responses.
Photo by Aniela Lama on anlaexplores.com
6. Capturing B-Roll
B-roll footage is essential for enhancing your story. For example, if your subject is a painter discussing her craft, capturing clips of her painting adds depth to the narrative. Don’t hesitate to ask your subjects to perform simple actions that can make the video more engaging.
7. Post-Production
After filming, it’s time for post-production. I use Adobe Premiere Pro for editing, but there are many tools available depending on your budget. Start by reviewing your footage and creating a shot list, which includes descriptions of each clip and any important audio segments. When editing, begin with the most eye-catching clips to grab your viewers’ attention. For instance, I opened my video with a subject saying, “Painting is everything to me.” This sets the tone for the entire piece.
8. Voice-Overs and Background Score
Your narration is crucial in guiding the viewer through the story. Highlight the emotions you want to convey and choose a background score that complements the narrative. Ensure your voiceover supports your subject’s story.
9. Final Steps
Before exporting your final video, replay and recheck it multiple times to catch any errors. Editing can be tedious, so thorough checks will save you time later.
Conclusion
Creating this video profile series allowed me to showcase inspiring women and taught me invaluable skills in videography and storytelling. If you’re interested in starting your own project, follow these steps and share your unique perspective with the world.
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