Middle School Students: Create a Video About Your HERO

Steps to Creating a Hero Film

1. Decide on your hero!

2. Decide what kind of movie to make.

3. Storyboard and Shotlist

4. Shoot footage and gather media for your movie.

5. Edit footage.

6. Add music & titles.

7. Share your film. 

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

Use the following essay, What Kind of Heroes Should We Embrace to start a discussion about heroes? Students identify the difference between a hero and a celebrity as they discuss what type of person is a hero.

There are many paths to identifying your hero and the story you wish to tell. Here are three possible avenues to getting started:

1. What do you care about? Identify an issue that interests you, then research possible heroes who are working to fix problems related to that issue.
2. Who are your heroes? Identify someone you consider a hero, then research the issue they are trying to fix.
3. Look around you. Who do you have access to? Consider people in your community who have overcome obstacles; these people can be heroic in the inspiration they give us. Have a conversation with someone you love or admire. Explore the stories all these people have to share - you may discover something heroic about them.

What type of film will students be creating? Do you want to create a documentary, narrative, or PSA (Public Service Announcement)?

Resources for Narrative Filmmaking

Example of a Student Created Narrative Film

Resources for Creating a Documentary Film

The Beat -  The 6 Types of Documentary Films

Details the various types of documentaries with multiple examples of each.

The Independent Initiative - Documentary Filming With Your Smartphone

Shooting documentaries on a smartphone is so simple! Check out these creative tips to help you with your next project!

Example of a Student Created Documentary

Resources for Creating a PSA

Credit: Robert Renda

Example of a Student Created PSA

For those students creating a PSA, watching the film New Together is recommended and other excellent examples are located in the MY HERO PSA Film Library.

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. 

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.

Transfer your clips onto whichever device you will be using to edit. A computer is recommended but alternatively, you can use a phone or tablet

Learn how to use your editing platform. See tutorials below.

Include pictures and subtitles, you can find free images on Wikimedia commons.

The following three links are resources to copyright free images and sound.

SUBMIT YOUR FILM TO THE MY HERO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. ONGOING SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED

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.

The Interviewing Tips link is helpful for those students who will be filming an interview with someone. 

The following resource assists student filmmakers in creating a video using a mobile phone. 

Use Canva to create a simple video project! This link has many tutorials to get started with Canva.