Intro to Video & YouTube

Students! Welcome to Canon Online Classes

Get ready for a fun, action-packed videography program. We’re so excited to meet you and see all the great videos you take. Below you’ll find an outline of what to expect of Canon Online Classes.

Each session will include an interactive online Zoom class with tips & tricks on how to be an awesome videographer plus challenges created by your instructor.

Everything you need will be shared with you and your fellow students in your Zoom. You can use your computer or smartphone to login to each Zoom session, which will last about 60 minutes. Be five minutes early if you can, and make sure you have Zoom downloaded in advance of the session so it’s easy to login when the class begins!

Challenges

After each session campers will be given an assignment in the form of a video challenge/journal entry that can be completed before the next session. Depending on the camper, it should take about 1-2 hours per challenge. Some examples of challenges are:

  • Brainstorming video ideas
  • Building Shot lists
  • Creating video Journal entries
  • Editing video clips
  • Creating a video set up

This course is a mix of small written and video challenges. You’ll be uploading your written challenges to a Kajabi account, which will be provided to you by us. An email will be sent out to set-up the free account prior to the session start. As for your video submissions, you can upload those to a platform of your choosing and share the link to your instructor through Kajabi or via email. During the first session, more information will be provided on how to upload the challenges. Make sure to upload your final challenges at least 2-6 hours before the start of the next Zoom session so we have time to take a peek.

This program is all about wanting to learn how to plan, produce and edit high quality videos that are suitable for your YouTube, your own Vlog, or your website. You’ll learn skills like composition, lighting, editing, and how to tell compelling stories with video. You can use any device that can record video, including a smartphone! If you use a camera, you’ll also need a memory card for your camera and a way to transfer images from your camera or phone to a computer.

Week 1: What makes a good setup?

What we’ll do: We will begin with a brainstorming session to determine what type of videos you like and want to create. Then we’ll discuss what makes the setups in those videos appealing and will build a setup together. 

This week’s challenge/journal entry: Brainstorm a list of ideas for a video you want to make. Set up a nice frame in your room/house and with a bonus challenge of recording a small clip of you introducing yourself so you can get comfortable using your recording device. Then upload them to your private youtube account and share the link via Kajabi or email directly to your instructor. 

Week 2: Idea Building

What we’ll do: Let’s start by sharing and discussing student challenges from last week! Then we’ll jump into an open discussion on what all great stories have in common? In this session we will begin to create a shot list for the video you would like to create.

This week’s challenge/journal entry: Select the idea for your video and build a shot list. Record a small clip explaining your idea. For your video journal entry, think out loud, talk about your idea and what your difficulties may be. Then upload them to your private youtube account and share the link via Kajabi or email directly to your instructor.

Week 3: Editing

What we’ll do: Let’s start by sharing and discussing student challenges from last week! To continue on with last week’s challenge, we’ll take the videos you’ve created so far and begin editing them. We will discuss how to create a good editing flow and look back on our shot list to decide if changes need to be made. 

This week’s challenge/journal entry: Cut your footage and place your B-Roll clips over your A-Roll. For your journal entry, talk about the shots you want to capture for your video! Then upload them to your private youtube account and share the link via Kajabi or email directly to your instructor.

Week 4: Final touch & publishing

What we’ll do: Let’s start by sharing and discussing student challenges from last week! Then we will begin finalizing your videos. We will show you how to add music to your videos if that is the direction you want to go. We will take you step by step on how to save and publish your videos. We will discuss the final touches on how to take your videos from good to great and how to attract the right audience!

This week’s challenge/journal entry: Upload your video to your Youtube (or other platform) channel! For your video journal entry, discuss the difference from week 1 to now and all that you have learned throughout this course. Reflecting back on this will help keep these techniques fresh and now you have a recording to always go back to! Then upload them to your private youtube account and share the link via Kajabi or email directly to your instructor.

Week 5: Showcase!

What we’ll do: Let’s watch everyone’s videos! We will have a peer to peer review to improve our knowledge on how to discuss videos and to gain insight on what is working/not in the videos. What will your next video be about?

This week’s challenge/journal entry: Make your journal entries into 1 video or 5 vlogs! This can jump start your next project! Keep those video journal entries going. Talk about your experience showcasing your first video and keep your creativity flowing!