Motion Visuals
From SPARK
Summary
Rules of thumb for producing motion visuals
Rules of Thumb for Production
These rules are not by any means a comprehensive statement of all the pitfalls or the benefits of motion visual media. They may not even be applicable in every case. This section is not intended to help the controversy of film versus video when considered as competitive media. Motion picture film and video each have characteristics that make it the producer’s most practical choice based on circumstances and individual need, considering the advantages and disadvantages outlined in the following material.
- These media are primarily designed to show motion, not still pictures.
- Motion visuals are excellent for effective (attitude-changing) presentations.
- For instructional purposes, motion visuals are best used on a one-to-one relationship. Regardless of audience size, scripts should be aimed at a student as an individual.
- The sound track must be relevant to the visuals and should be in the active voice.
- The narration should not tell what is happening on the screen, unless interpretation or clarification is necessary, or a critical point must be stressed.
- All motion visual media have an exact content and should be edited and validated before presentation. Before releasing, check the materials with a subject matter expert and also with small, representative groups of students.
- Since both video and motion film are essentially visual media, the narration should be developed on the basis of a carefully designed visual script. The writer must think about what will be seen visually.
- Remember, you don’t really have a captive audience; the audience can mentally turn you off. Your script plan must indicate consideration of the attitudes of the viewers.
- Production of motion visual materials is a complex operation, requiring the participation of people from varied disciplines and technical skills. Functioning by approval of a committee only adds to expense, frustration, and confusion. The responsibility for approval at various stages of production and for the acceptance of the final product should rest with one person. Whoever has that final responsibility should be designated as the producer and be available for coordinating with the various production groups.
The guidelines and check lists for each of these media are simply intended to provide you with a basic and organized approach to the pre-production stages of instruction using motion visual media to help increase the likelihood of a successful product.
- By Phil Baer
