Video Scavenger Hunt :: Learning Visual Storytelling

Submitted by dan on Tue, 01/09/2009 - 16:56

The ability to express ideas visually is at the core of good film making. The video scavenger hunt challenges participants to get ideas across to an audience using only expressive videography.

Goals

  • Experiment with expressive shot selection
  • Practice image interpretation

Participants

  • A ratio of 3-5 participants per camera works well

Equipment/Supplies

  • Video cameras
  • Index cards - pre-prepped with a word written on each
  • TV monitor
  • Cables
  • Butcher's paper
  • Markers

Duration

2 hours

Instructions

  • Split the group into as many teams as you have cameras.
  • Shuffle and distribute index cards with words on them. These terms should theoretically be able to be expressed through imagery. Emotions work well (eg anger, joy, fear...), but you can also tailor the terms to relate to whatever issues your group is currently dealing with.
  • Instruct participants to only share their terms with their teammates. Other teams will be guessing what they're trying to communicate later.
  • Each participant should attempt to convey the meaning of their term using only camera work. No sound. No acting. No writing. No sign language. Only expressive shot selection.
  • Each participant should shoot their own term, but should strategise on how to express it with their team.
  • After all groups are done with their shooting, reconvene, screen each clip and then pause for the other teams to guess what was being expressed by the camera operator. To make the guessing game a little easier you can put a list of all of the words up and cross them off as they are guessed.
  • Discuss: How did you decide what techniques to use to express concepts without sound or text?
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