The 2023-2024 World of 8 Billion student video contest is now closed. Winners will be announced on May 21, 2024!

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Tips for Your Video

Helpful tips on creating a successful video

Get the latest tips and insights in the World of 8 Billion Blog

1)

Pick the global challenge you are most excited about and read the Background Reading associated with your selected global challenge.

2)

Do your research. The best videos use strong facts/statistics as supporting evidence from a variety of sources. The Video Project Organizer will help guide you and make sure you stay on track.

3)

Avoid common mistakes. Watch this video of the 7 Most Common Mistakes that result in videos not becoming a finalist.

4)

Make sure you have Copyright free images and music!

5)

Develop a solution. Make sure that your solution solves the problem you identified in your video. You want viewers to be empowered by a video that shows a realistic way to solve a global challenge.

6)

If you choose to use statistics, make them relevant by putting them in context. For example, stating that “an estimated 140,000 species go extinct each year” is more impactful when you add that this number is greater than the number of people living in some U.S. state capitals, including Hartford, Connecticut and Topeka, Kansas!

7)

Use the best information, not the most information, to support your sustainable solution. You’ll come across a lot of interesting information during your research, but not all of it can fit in a 60 second video. Be clear and concise in your video – 60 seconds goes by quickly.

8)

If your video includes people talking, be sure they speak slowly and clearly so that viewers can understand. Make sure to enunciate your words. You may be tempted to speak more quickly to include more information, but resist that impulse! Most people speak at a pace of 125 to 200 words a minute, and you should aim to be in this range. Writing your script out beforehand and using the word count tool in Microsoft Word or Google Documents can help you keep your video on target. Feel free to add subtitles if you’re worried about the audio – just be sure to watch out for spelling errors!

9)

If you’re filming on a smartphone, film in landscape mode and use the highest video quality you can. Double-check your video to make sure that everyone speaking can be easily understood. There are many apps that make the filming and editing process easier.

10)

Make sure you follow all of the Rules and Guidelines, including length, content, and copyright rules. It is especially important to keep an organized list of all of your sources.

11)

Be creative. You can use video, skits, pictures, voice over, music, flip-books – the sky is the limit! Get your friends involved and collaborate to make an even better project.

12)

Have fun! This is a great opportunity to learn more about pressing global challenges regarding world population, and it should be a fun project for you and your friends.

Organize your ideas with the Video Project Organizer, a step-by-step guide to the contest!

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