The Simple Recipe For A VidTeam

What you'll need

1. A team of 4 to 12 people
2. A digital video camera
3. A tripod
4. If the camcorder takes an external mic you want an external mic and 5 to 10 feet of cable
5. Props, costumes as needed by the script

What to do

1. Divide the teams into these five responsibilities
   1. Director
   2. Creative
   3. Talent
   4. Production
   5. Team Process or Documentor

   Great Camera Work!
   If it's a large team this amounts to 2-4 people in some sub-teams, which is fine. You'll want several Creative people kicking-in ideas on the script, locations, content, style of characterization and acting. You may need a slew of actors and people for voiceovers. The Team Process person is sort of the "Studio Industrial Psychologist" whose responsibility is to make sure everyone plays nicely with one another and feels it was a fun experience. The production people move and handle equipment, props.

2. Though each team focuses on their area. other team members can contribute ideas in a round-robin creative process.. CREATIVE fleshes-out the script by asking what's the story, what's the best style of video to portray the story, and what characters will fit into that? Is it a news show? Documentary? Dramatization? Mad Scientist Horror Film? Write out or type the narration carefully so that the actors can understand what they're saying.
   TALENT acts-out the roles in front of the lens, providing the right emotions to help the audience understand what's going on. TALENT may also do voiceovers - a narration that comes up in the background as a scene proceeds. TALENT can also contribute ideas to the creative flow. PRODUCTION focuses on getting the sound and lighting right, and documenting the shots on a shot log. The TEAM PROCESS person observes how the team performs, makes process suggestions. Do you see someone isn't participating? How do you keep them engaged? Keep notes on how the process is going so the team can review what works and what doesn't. It's useful to review the process with the Director along the way, and be a cheerleader when someone does something well. DIRECTOR keeps an eye on the clock and makes sure the team gets the results they're after.

3. Once the project is shot you will also need an Editor to bring the video, voiceovers, other images and sound effects together in a video editing program. Many such software packages exist for the Windows and Mac platforms, and some allow free 30 day trials.

Good Luck!