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Skillshare

Reels, Shorts, and TikToks: How to Tell Engaging Stories with Your Smartphone

via Skillshare

Overview

Have you ever wondered why some videos get popular on social media and others barely get several views?

We believe that the videos that get a lot of attention are the ones that tell stories. Whether it's a 5-second single shot or a 30-second cascade of frames, if they have a storytelling component they will be watched in Reels, Shorts, or TikTok by thousands if not millions.

In this class, you'll learn how to create videos that tell stories with your smartphone camera. And how to film them in a way that captures and holds your audience. We'll talk about the basics of filming, editing, and posting your videos on social media. You'll learn the skills like:

  • Finding the best light  
  • Composing a compelling shot
  • Moving your camera so the videos come out really captivating.
  • Editing your footage into a logical and cohesive story that is easy to follow

This class is made for beginners. Even if you have just bought a smartphone with a camera and registered on a social media platform, after watching our class you'll have ideas about how to begin telling your stories with videos. We will guide you from the best settings for your camera through lighting and composing techniques to posting and captioning your story.

All equipment you'll need for this class is a smartphone with a camera, free editing apps like iMovie or CapCut, and a social media app of your choice to share your stories

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Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Class Orientation
  • Planning: Storytelling Structure
  • Setting Up: Camera Settings
  • Lighting & Timing
  • Exploring Composition
  • Movement: Static, Pan, Tilt & Zoom
  • Movement: Push, Pull, Track & Truck
  • Improvising
  • Creating a Shot List & Filming
  • Editing & Music
  • Posting: Captioning and Hashtags
  • Conclusion

Taught by

NYClive

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