Me in a Minute Project

Your first formal assignment in art of video is to create a 2-3 minute autobiography in Imovie. You will use your writing as the "story line" for the autobiography. Like all autobiographies you will be telling the story of you, what you are all about? What do you stand for? What makes you laugh? Who do you love and why? What makes you want to shine or really fires you up? This could include old memories, flasbacks, moments of triumph or pain! Unlike an autobiography that is only written, this autobiography will incorporate the sights and sounds of your life as well. Hopefully when you finish you will have created a final product that is completely unique and that spreads new insight into the story of you.

Once you've finished, fill out the Me in a Minute Critique.

Step 1- Prewriting-Brainstorm- Answer the following questions in as much detail as possible.
1. Where were you born and where did you grow up?How important is your community/culture?
2. What kind of life do you envision for yourself in the world? What needs to change so you can do it?
3. What are your most powerful memories of growth and challenge?
4. What are your current interests? How did you develop them?
5. Talk about your family- who does it include and what do they mean to you?
6. Talk about your friends- have you had them as friends for long? What do you do together?
7. What is your neighborhood like? What do you like about it?
8. What is your cultural background? What does it mean to you? Do you do anything to stay connected to it?
9. What challenges have you faced in your life so far? Highs or lows? What have you learned from them?
10. What do you like to do for fun?
11. What is a unique exciting experience you’ve had?
12. What is your favorite place to be? Why?
13. What people have inspired and guided you in your life?
14. What things do you most value in your life?
15. What are your plans for the future?
16. What do you think about events happening in the world? How do these events affect how you live your life?

Step 2.- Create the rough draft of your script
1. Review Answers and choose a theme for your project.
2. Write a 5 paragraph autobiography (minimum 5-7 sentences in each paragraph):
   a. An introductory paragraph, including a hook to get the reader interested.
   b. Three paragraphs that discuss your answers to the questions above.
   c. A concluding paragraph that wraps it all up 

Step 3- Peer Edit Rough draft of scripts
1. Add lots of descriptive words that describe the five senses…sights, sounds, touch, taste, and smell.
2. Avoid boring language like – Nice, great, cool,
3. Make sure it all makes sense and portrays an image of yourself that you are happy with.
4. Make final revisions and get final approval before formatting your margins and printing out your script.

Step 4- 2 Column Shooting Script sample
1. Create a 2 column table in Microsoft word and label the left column “Video” and the right column “Audio”.
2. Paste your written script into the column labeled “Audio”
3. Along the video column of your script begin number and list the images that you could imagine complimenting your words on the script.
4 . The images you gather may come from video you shoot, the internet, pictures from books, as well as your own images.
5 . Not all images have to be "literal" interpretations of your words. Many images can be poetically associated as metaphors for what you are describing. Consider the connotations of your words.
6 . Pacing – What is the pace? Fast, slow, idle. When and where does the pace change? Identify the Pacing changes in your story board --Match the "mood of your voice" with the Pacing changes in your story

Step 5- Narration and Audio The Gift of our Voice and Music –
1. Create a new project in Imovie and create your narration using your script.
2. Your narration should be written in words your audience can experience.
3. Perform your narration with a loud passionate voice. Just be truthful and sincere.
4. Try not to sound like you are reading your script word for word.
5. Power of the Sound Track – You can use more than one piece of music; match pieces of music tracks with the mood of the narration.

Step 6- Find, Create and Edit Graphics
1. Titles and Words - Graphics can also be used in the body of your story
2. Still images that you find from home, books, magazines, or photos can be shot with video or still cameras.
3. Photographs – people, things, and/or events that you want to include
4. Internet – sources for images and sounds
5. Video – use digital video (keep to no more than 1 minute worth of clips)
**All images need to be sized in Photoshop for Imovie 720x540

Step 7- Begin Editing in Imovie
1. Import all your still images into Imovie and begin arranging them with your narration.
2. Import just the video clips and arrange in your timeline
3. Once all clips have been arranged, add titles and closing credits.
4. Apply transitions and filters as your last finishing touches.

Project Must Have- Minimum
1. 2-3 minutes in length
2. Narration done by you
3. Background instrumental music
4. Minimum 10 Still Images
5. Minimum 20 shots of video or more
6. Opening Titles and Closing Credits
7. 1-5 images with a Photoshop Filter (you can use your self-portrait if you like)
Fade In and Fade Out Transitions….

printable copy here