Share your smarts with educational videos.

Build the structure first.

Good learning videos start with robust planning. Pre-production is often the most critical element of any educational filmmaking process and it starts with outlining, storyboarding and a solid strategy.

Outline your film.

An outline can be as simple as a series of sequential notes that describe what types of content you want in the video, what the video’s objectives are and how deep you will dive into each topic. The five-paragraph essay can be a solid and familiar framework for a high-quality educational video:

●  Introduction

●  Information Block 1

●  Information Block 2
 

●  Information Block 3

●  Conclusion

While that might seem basic, a good structure of intro, info and a conclusion can give you a foundation on which to flesh out the sections in your video. If you need more references for how you might outline a video, watch some Khan Academy or PBS videos for reference.

The length of your video is important, as well. Hehn recommends a length of between 7 and 12 minutes for your first video. That’s the average length of time for a presentation-style video. But if you choose a difficult topic or you just want to create a quick bite for viewers to consume, don’t feel too restricted. You can always go shorter or longer, but have a ballpark estimate on timing before you begin. It will help to keep your content focused and informative. 

1. Shot description: A quick description of what happens. This is distinct from the script.
 

2. Shot size and type: The perspective of this shot. How is it framed? Learn more about types of camera shots you can call out in this list.
 

3. Movement: Explains what the camera needs to do in this shot.
 

4. Equipment: Equipment you’ll need for the shot, usually cameras and lighting equipment. Lenses and frame rates can be included here as well.
 

5. Location, actors and times: Where the shot is captured, what actors you’ll need and the time it will take place.
 

6. Notes: Anything you or the director of the film will need to know for this particular shot.

Learn more about how to create a shot list for any shoot.

Never take your eyes off the story.

Throughout all of this preparation, never forget that the goal is to convey a specific idea or concept for this video. Make sure that, at the end of your pre-production process, you have a distinct plan that feels holistic and represents what you want to create.

Don’t forget: Many people are absolute beginners with your topic. If a newcomer can’t understand your educational video, it won’t be very effective. “It’s important to put yourself in the position of a raw beginner who has never handled the tools that you’ll be working with,” says Wayne Kawamoto of AboutMagic, a YouTube channel that teaches magic. “Experts can take things for granted.”