STEP 2: RECORD
VIDEO DIARY:
Selfie-style with your phone or straight to camera (shoot horizontally if possible, but vertical is OK):
- Watch How to Record a Video Diary Level UP.
- Describe who you are (age, grade), where you live, and where you go to school.
- Answer the questions that you have unique or strong responses for.
**Remember, a good story has a beginning, middle, and end. Before you begin, think about what you want to say to your audience. This is a straight to camera recording that can be up to two minutes. **
INTERVIEW WITH SOMEONE ELSE:
- Decide who you want to interview.
- Brainstorm interview subjects and research the topic and what you want to focus on.
- Reach out to your interview subject(s) for a pre-interview and schedule a recording date. Decide if it will be an in-person or virtual interview.
- Prepare your questions and complete your research
- Record the interview(s) and make sure to thank your subject for their time. You can choose to have your interviewee look straight at the camera or at you. If you as the reporter will not be seen, we recommend having the subject look directly at the camera. If you as the reporter want to be in story, we recommend making sure you have a shot of both the interviewee and the interviewer to have a mix of shots to use when editing. Get addition tips with our QUICK Video Production Guide.
ON CAMERA IDENTIFICATION: Interviewers should ask subjects the following - For the record, please say and spell your full name (first and last) on camera. Also please describe how you want to be identified in this video. For example, “I’m an 11th grade student at Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, California”
- BONUS: Film or collect your b-roll about what the subject is talking about to help tell your story. (Advice on gathering b-roll with your phone with cameras)
EXAMPLE OF DESIRED COMPOSITION:

Looking at the camera, centered, from the chest up, eyes on upper third, normal headroom.
USE/DOWNLOAD: SRL RAPID RESPONSES SKILLS AND STANDARDS CHECKLIST