Courses

Storytelling

In this course, you will learn about two basic theories of storytelling that draw people’s attention, holds it and encourages them to act. We’ll give you tips on creating a culture of storytelling in your organization, followed by some practical how-to’s for planning and executing videos with specific goals.

Learn how to “Bucket” and “Funnel” ideas through our Simple Creative Process — a process you can use to produce creative videos that help further your goals and objectives.

TIME TO COMPLETE COURSE

Approximately 30 minutes

Pre-Production

Once you have your Messaging Strategy and creative treatment in place, you’re ready for Pre- Production. This is the phase when you get all the details in place for Production! In this course, we will talk about location scouting, casting and wardrobe do’s and don'ts.

TIME TO COMPLETE COURSE

Approximately 15 minutes

Production

Production Day is finally here. You’ve got your Messaging Strategy, your cast and you’re ready to capture everything — congrats! Take a page out of our book on how to prepare for and conduct an interview, compose a shot, light your subject, get good audio and operate a camera.

TIME TO COMPLETE COURSE

Approximately 45 minutes

Cameras & Equipment

There are so many makes and models of cameras and equipment that it can be overwhelming to select the ones that would be best for your organization. Our goal in this course is to help you select equipment based on what you’re looking to gain — are you looking for a certain level of quality, determining ease-of-use, considering budget-friendly prices?

These modules explain the pros and cons of a variety of equipment related to cameras, audio gear, lights and additional essentials.

We’ve also included an Equipment Guide for specific models that we’d recommend you consider.

TIME TO COMPLETE COURSE

Approximately 30 minutes

Post-Production

You did it! You worked really hard at gathering all of the elements of your Messaging Strategy, filming interviews and b-roll, and now it’s time to pull it all together. We’ll help you sort through your footage, keeping what’s vital and determining what’s necessary for pushing your One Big Idea forward. With simple transitions and complimentary music, your video is steps away from being finished!

To get started, we’ll share our recommendations for editing tools, as well as where to find quality stock music and other helpful resources. For polishing your final video, we’ll provide you with tips for audio levels, typography and video length.

TIME TO COMPLETE COURSE

Approximately 45 minutes

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This will be a valuable asset as you clarify your goals, identify your audience and incorporate the Story Arc and Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle into your Messaging Strategy.

EQUIPMENT GUIDE

This is our holy grail of equipment recommendations. It's difficult for us to prescribe a package for you — each nonprofit is different! But with our list of pros and cons, price range and skill level, this Resource is updated as new products or online resources come along that would benefit you (we'll send out an email when it's been updated!).

THE ART OF INTERVIEWING

Use our tried and true techniques to draw out a story on camera. Kristin has applied her Master of Arts in Counseling to successfully interview people on camera, making them feel comfortable and valued. Use these same techniques (proven by our own work for years) to make the most of your interviews.

LOCATION SCOUT QUICK TIPS

Location scouting involves more than finding pretty sites to film your interviews. We help you keep an eye (and ear!) out for what you should be considering and preparing for when it comes to Production Day.

WHAT TO EXPECT*

This Resource is almost a carbon copy of what we use at Reliant Studios to send out to talent and interviewees before a shoot. It's got the details they need to know, including the shoot details, the schedule and what to wear on camera (both wardrobe and makeup notes!).

*Editable PDF: Fill in the document, save it and send it out online — all without printing (if that’s your kind of workflow)

CREATING A CULTURE OF STORYTELLING

Develop the skills for capturing Cinematic Gold, using unplanned videos to boost your content marketing and donor/volunteer/activist engagement strategies. We've outlined our tips for you to make it super easy.

Some of our Happy Students

CFRE CONTINUING EDUCATION

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