How to make a how-to video

How to make a paper rose from Andrew Zahler on Vimeo.

Before I went on vacation last week, I shot and edited a video to go with a story running in our Home section. The subject: How to make a paper rose.

I had never made a how-to video before. Here’s what the experience taught me.

1. Learn about the craft/process beforehand. I was fortunate to have a draft of the story, which included step-by-step instructions. As a result, could better anticipate what kind of shots and audio I’d need.
2. Get an expert to demonstrate. Mary Eberle of Anemone Paper Flowers was kind enough to donate her time. That kept me from revealing my lack of crafty skills. But more importantly, it left me free to shoot and worry about sequencing.
3. Use a lot of tight shots. I don’t get a lot from YouTube videos in which the creator just sets up a tripod and hits record. As a viewer, I need to see the fine details of the process.
4. But don’t forget the medium shots. Switching between the two will help you compress time. I don’t care how much you love paper flowers; if you’re viewing this video on your mobile phone or Web browser, you’re not going to stay tuned for 5 minutes.
5. Prerecord the step-by-step audio. I went back and forth on this, but having Mary narrate the steps beforehand let her concentrate on the craft while I was getting those medium and tight shots.
6. Use an authentic setting. Compared with a lot of the news videos on spokesmanreview.com’s Video Journal, this assignment felt a little canned. I was directing the action rather than just capturing it. But being able to film inside an art gallery, with other examples of Anemone flowers in the background, restored a little authenticity. An obvious alternative: the subject’s studio, workshop or office.

More video journalism tips:

• Get creative with your video camera from Colin Mulvany. Ideas for mixing up the kinds of shots you’re getting and more geared toward video journalists with some experience.
• Opening your video from Colin Mulvany. Ways to avoid losing your viewers. Geared toward video journalists with some experience.
• How to shoot video interviews from Teaching Online Journalism. In-depth look at specialized skill aimed at experienced journalists.
• 10 tips for shooting online video from 10,000 Words. Quick-hit advice geared toward people who know some video jargon.
• 12 creative uses of time-lapse photography (and 4 ways to create it) from 10,000 Words. The name says it all.