Tips for Success - AmeriCorps Video Contest

Videos will be judged by the following six criteria:

As you conceive your piece, think about the following:

How does AmeriCorps help America tackle some of its biggest challenges and meet educational, environmental, public safety and other human needs?
How can you show the difference AmeriCorps makes in your community?
What impacts or results has AmeriCorps members' service had on the community?
What impact does the AmeriCorps experience have on members?
How does AmeriCorps have a transforming impact on one person's life?
Why should someone join AmeriCorps?
If you had to illustrate AmeriCorps' impact in one word or idea, what would it be?

Watch and learn. Observe how the pros shoot a scene. It's often simple – strong lighting, clear audio, and simple cuts between scenes.
When shooting outside, note that there will be noises that may not go with what you are filming (car noises, people talking, etc.) Finding a quiet place to film outdoors makes a difference.
When recording audio outdoors, make sure your mic has a windscreen on it. Nothing hurts more than watching your video after you’ve shot it, and the wind overpowers all of your dialogue.
Save money at the Hardware Store. You can do a lot with affordable shop lights, PVC pipe, a bubble level, double-sided tape and wood clamps for about half the price of what they would cost you from a video specialist.
Shade Your Lens. Sunlight shining directly on to the front of your lens will deteriorate your image. You can use your hand to block out the sun in a pinch.
Spend time on editing once you've got your rough. Try different sequences, and don't be afraid to experiment.
Here's a website resource that could add invaluable insight into the film industry: http://digitaljournalist.org/archives/platypus-theater.html

AmeriCorps Video And Photo Contest