70% of your time should be spent planning, 10% shooting, and 20% editing. If you plan well, you will save time and end up with a better video. Here are the tools of effective video planning:

1. First meeting form [MS Word, PDF]
   Use this form to think through a project and gather notes. The information gathered can then be plugged into the documents below.
   
   
2. Prepare planning worksheet
   Draft a brief statement that defines the problem that the video is to solve. Is a video the best solution? Is it worth the time and money? How will the video be implemented?
   Example: "Students in the online Information Literacy course sometimes have difficulty with concepts related to the physical layout of the Library. The placement of a few short video clips would enhance select modules and offer the students a more dynamic online course experience."
   
   
3. Audience analysis
   Consider who will be watching the video; level of experience with and interest in the subject matter, age, educational level and so on. This will help determine style, language, and other factors.
   Example:
   "Mainly college students, but possibly others who will perform database searches. Level of interest in the subject matter is high, as students need to use the skills effectively in order to retrieve articles focused on their research topic. The audience will have little to no experience with the subject."
   
   
4. Objectives
   Exactly what should the audience be able to do after watching the video? List and describe the material? Perform a task? Objectives should be specific and measurable.
   Example: "After watching the video, the viewer will be able to...
   1. Introduce the concept of Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to students.
   2. Explain the function of AND, OR, NOT.
   3. Show students the difference in how using Boolean operators affect the number of search results."
   
   
5. Outline
   Exactly what material will be covered in the video? If you're not sure whether to include an item, refer back to the objectives.
   
   
6. Treatment
   Given the audience and objectives, determine the most appropriate style and tone for the video. Should it be expository, first person, animation, or some other style? You may wish to write a comprehensive treatment that describes everything that is heard or seen from beginning to end, or just draft a short statement about the style.
   Example:
   "The video is informal with a friendly and welcoming tone. The video starts with a student having trouble finding a book. A librarian explains how different Boolean operators work using Vann diagram. (This may be animated) Dissolve to a librarian and a group of students demonstrate how each of the Boolean operators works using a group activities. In the group activity, students will wear different hats/clothing. When the librarian calls for a particular group of people identified by the type of hats/clothing using Boolean operator, the corresponding people will get together. Success and failure grouping can be show in order to demonstrate the Boolean concept. After the activity, we see a computer screenshot movie which a librarian uses to demonstrate how to use the Boolean operators in databases. (We hear the Librarians voice) The first search will be done without using any Boolean operators, while the second search will show the use of the Boolean operator. The numbers of results and relevance of the articles being retrieved can then be compared. The video ends with the student expressing enthusiasm and satisfaction with using Boolean operators."
   
   
7. Script
   This two-column script format shows video direction on the left, and audio content on the right. Try to "write for the ear" in short, direct statements. Have someone read your script back to you (or record it) so you can hear it out loud.
   • Two-Column Script Blank Form [MS Word, PDF]
   • Boolean Script [MS Word, PDF]
   • Script Writing Tips [MS Word, PDF]
   • Camera Shooting Terms [MS Word, PDF]
   
   
   
8. Storyboard [JPG]
   Most people write a verbally dominant script and then tack on the visuals as an afterthought. Try to think in visual sequences with minimal audio. A storyboard may be beneficial in organizing this type of video. Simple drawings (stick figures are OK) accompanied by a short body of narration (or not) can be executed on 3X5 cards and arranged on a board. These cards can easily be rearranged if material is added or deleted.
   • Storyboard Blank Form [MS Publisher, PDF]
   
   
   

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