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Can You Film Your Way into College ? The Power of the College Application Video Percy Angress and Livia Linden www.ThisIsMeVideo.com www.TheAdmissionTicket.com admissiontix@gmail.com. What is a college video? You in a Minute:. Who you are. What you do. Where you’re from.
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Can You Film Your Way into College? The Power of the College Application Video Percy Angress and Livia Linden www.ThisIsMeVideo.comwww.TheAdmissionTicket.com admissiontix@gmail.com
What is a college video? You in a Minute: • Who you are. • What you do. • Where you’re from. • Where you’re going.
Why make a college video? • Another “essay op” - a chance to show your passion, creativity, ingenuity. • Your face in their face – lets the person making the decision “meet” you. • A cognitive Post-It – helps you stick in their mind. • A way to reinforce your “application theme.” • An intangible extra that can help tip the admissions scales.
What is the role of a video in the admissions process? • Grades, scores and essays matter most. • A video is not for all students… • …but it can help you stand out.
But do overworked admissions officers really want videos? • Some may say no, but… • In practice, if they are seriously interested, they’ll probably take a minute to get to know you better. • It can’t hurt… unless it’s inappropriate.
How to Get them to Watch • Put the link in the Common App’s “Additional Information” page. • State the length – one minute ideal, two minutes max! • Tell admissions in one sentence why they should click.
Getting Started: The YouTube “Videothon” • Search for “college application video.” Watch for: • The basic concept. • Applicant’s presence and message. • Structure, pacing, music, editing, camera work. • Ask: “Would this make me want to admit the candidate?”
Two main approaches: The Big Picture Video Portrays the “whole student.” The Small Focus Video One interest, activity or talent.
The Big Picture Video • Academics, extracurriculars, family background etc. • The best have a fresh, unifying concept. • Warning…
Don’t make a “Laundry List” • Don’t cram in everything about yourself. • Volleyball • Model U.N. • Bungee jumping • My trip to Costa Rica • Sandwiches for the homeless • My family and all my friends • Snore......
Don’t make a filmed resume. Showthem something new… …not what they already know from your application.
Genre: Things You Don’t Know About Me “6 Things You Should Know About Me That My College Application Won’t Tell You”
Large Header Subheader • Bold Header • Keep paragraphs centered on the page; widen the text block if you need more room. • Bullets • Bullets • Bullets
Genre: This is Me “Where I’m From”
Genre: The Song or Rap Video “Meet Jodie” “Shelby’s Rap”
The Small Focus Video Tend to be idiosyncratic. Often whimsical or quirky.
Genre: My Passion “Flight of the Jumbo” “Brittany’s World” “Ripley’s Supplement”
Genre: Video Poem “Hi Tufts, It’s Shane”
Genre: The “Quirky Hook” “In My Shoes” “I’m Always Changing” “Stephanie’s Supplement”
Animated Videos Great for shy applicants. “A Film by Samantha” “Jill in 1000 Frames”
How to Make a Video • Find a strong concept. • Say something fresh and authentic. • Technical considerations are secondary – this isn’t a Hollywood.
Your Most Important Piece of Equipment…
Getting Your Idea • Think about who you are and what you want to say. • Put on your filmmaker’s cap – look at the world with fresh eyes. • Get inspiration from other videos, but don’t copy.
Make a Script or Shooting Plan • Writea script or shooting plan – you can always deviate. • Even a one minute video should have a beginning middle and end. • Get feedback from people you trust before shooting.
Technical Tips • Any camera will do, even a webcam. • Find or set up good lighting. • Record clean sound.
Shooting Tips • Compose your shots. • Avoid background clutter. • Shoot close enough to see your face. • Shoot multiple takes.
Editing Tips • Free, downloadable video editors: • Windows: Movie Maker • Mac: iMovie • If your lyrics are muddy, subtitle them. • Keep it tight! Less is more.
Posting Your Video • Upload to YouTube. • Make it public or unlisted. • Decide if you want your last name visible. • Authorize or block sharing.
Overview: Video essay dos • Do: • Study other essays and find a focus. • Say something personal and meaningful. • Record clear, well-lit images, especially of yourself. • Say or sing clearly and record clean sound. • Make it memorable!
Video essay don’ts • Don’t: • Make a photo album. • Add small talk. • Filmtestimonials. • Shootpure talking heads. • Make it longer than two minutes, max!
And just to keep things in perspective…