How to make a 'Winning' video

What you’ll need to get started

• A camera that can shoot HD video with an 'audio in' port so you can connect a microphone
  
• A microphone - either lapel or hand-mike or both
  
• A cable or SD card reader to get your video into your computer
  
• Software on your computer to edit your movie
  (such as Windows Movie Maker or Apple iMovie)
  
• A group of supporters to view your movie and help you shoot it

10 Tips for Making a ‘Winning’ Video

The more, the merrier!

The best stories aren't only told in one voice. Engage your colleagues, customers and biggest supporters to appear in your video (just make sure you have their permission). They might have great insight into how your role impacts the retail industry and your local community. When your customer, family member, local official, or CEO explains what you do and why it's of value it adds 'extra credit' to your story.

Plan out all of your shots in advance

Take the time to storyboard your video. Using 3x5 cards or just sheets of copier paper, you can quickly visualize what your video will look like. Additionally, this will give you the chance to see what resources and help you might need when shooting your submission.

Scripts save you time

At some point in your video you will have to share one of the following: how Retail Powers America's Economy, Retail Is Main Street, Retail Drives Innovation, Retail Strengthens Consumers or how Retail Creates Opportunity. Taking a few minutes to write out what you will say helps you to focus your message and saves you time shooting.

Be aware of your lighting

Lighting is incredibly important. Avoid high contrasts in lighting and try to keep the lighting as consistent as possible across your video. Make sure you take several test shots and have additional lighting on hand.

Be aware of your audio

Generally speaking, you should try to avoid using the microphone on your camera. There are many low cost lapel and speaker mikes on the market, but make sure you have an 'audio in' port on your camera before making a purchase. And as a rule, when you take test shots, test the audio too!

Stabilize your shots

Whether you're using a tripod, a bipod or a stack of magazines, it's generally a good idea to stabilize your shots. Nothing looks stranger in a video than when the sequence starts moving with the camera operator's breathing pattern.

Multiple Takes

If you've taken the time to plan out your video shoot, checked the lighting three times and the audio four, you MIGHT want to film more than a couple 'takes'. You've already done the hard work, now give yourself some room to breath once you get to editing.

Edit, forget, edit, forget,
and then edit some more

When you finally sit down to edit your video you'll end up reviewing quite a bit of footage. After a while, that really awkward first take will start to seem pretty good. Make sure you give yourself plenty of breaks so you can keep from getting 'saturated' by your video. And don't throw away any of your footage until AFTER you've officially submitted your video.

Make sure your video meets
our terms and conditions

Most importantly, if you're using music, make sure you have the complete rights to the song or proper permission to use it. Buying a song on iTunes doesn't count.

Get an audience, and listen to them

Ask friends and coworkers to watch your video. Generally speaking, until you've screened for an audience and they like it, you aren't done editing.

Good Luck and Happy Filming!