Create a Narrative Film

BOTTOM

Credit: MY HERO

The MY HERO Pocket Field Guide can be printed for students to use as a resource. If you would like to have a smaller, foldable pocket guide, use this link.

POCKET GUIDE

Credit: MYHERO

TED Talk The Power of Personal Narrative | J. Christian Jensen

Narrative is one of the most powerfully motivating human forces. Filmmaker J. Christian Jensen reveals how the same emotional forces that thrust us forward in a good film can propel us to do remarkable things. Illustrated by scenes from his Oscar- nominated documentary, White Earth, Jensen tells how to construct your own personal narrative to accomplish things no one else can.

Steps to Creating a Narrative Film

1. Write your script.

2. Storyboard and Shotlist

3. Shoot footage and gather media for your movie.

4. Edit footage.

5. Add music & titles.

6. Share your film.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS TO USE DURING EACH STEP OF THE FILMMAKING PROCESS

STEP ONE: WRITE YOUR SCRIPT

First, do research about the topic and make notes on a computer or notepad

Then create a rough draft of a script - this does not have to be word for word

Writing the Script

Credit: intofilm

Storytelling on Film

Credit: Film Education

STEP TWO: STORYBOARD AND SHOT LIST

First, do research about the topic and make notes on a computer or notepad

Then create a rough draft of a script - this does not have to be word for word.

Then create a storyboard, or shot list.

Pre-Production

Credit: intofilm

Storyboard Shotlist

Credit: MY HERO

STEP THREE: FILMING: CAMERA SHOTS, ANGLES AND MOVEMENT

Make sure you have good, front-facing lighting and are not backlit.

Get a good angle with your entire face in the shot.

Memorize small parts of your script at a time so that you aren’t reading off the page-- it takes away from the energy and charisma (gaps in between sections are okay, they can be edited out!)

BE ENGAGING! Even if you aren’t passionate about what you are talking about, act as if you are.