Information and Technology

Before You Begin

Before starting your project, and many times throughout the project, it's helpful to ask yourself these questions:

What's my idea? What's my message? What's my story?

Knowing where you're headed -- even if you change direction at some point during your project -- will help your final piece come out focused, cogent and effective.

The Point:

The other thing to keep in mind is your angle. What do you hope to do with your film?

• Critique a social issue?
• Arouse people to action?
• Document and report a story?
• Educate?
• Persuade?
• Entertain?
• Recruit?
• Sell?

The purpose of your movie will shape how you tell your story.

The Subject:

When searching for a subject, keep in mind that the best subjects are unusual or special. If you find someone or something who captures your curiosity, it’s likely the audience will also be captivated, and you will also maintain your interest throughout the project. Other things you might want to consider: Do you feel a strong emotional connection with the subject? Can you do justice to the subject in this media format? How can you make your subject’s specialness visible? What can you show?