Video and Multimedia Scholarships

A video project takes careful planning and conceptualization before filming begins. Be sure to consult the assigned prompt carefully and adhere to all the directions.Many video and multimedia scholarships require applicants to create a video according to a specific set of instructions. Submissions that fail to meet these requirements will not be considered for the award.

A multimedia submission such as a video typically calls for filmmakers to storyboard ahead of time, creating a detailed map of scenes to follow during filming. Filmmakers must also consider additional logistics, such as filming locations and actors.

A video submission should represent an applicant's best possible work. Learners should allow adequate time for filming, including plenty of practice takes. To start, students should determine each scholarship's deadline and create a filming schedule that offers enough time for comprehensive filming and editing. A flexible schedule should also provide enough time to reshoot footage if necessary.

When filming a video submission, applicants should allow time for setting up shots and practicing filming. While no scholarship committee expects a student submission to be perfect, students should aim to get the best possible footage. This may require investing a significant amount of time and getting many different takes.

Scholarship committees evaluate video submissions both for artistic and technical prowess. Applicants should always demonstrate their understanding of basic filmmaking techniques, which means avoiding a shaky camera unless deployed for a specific and obvious purpose. Shakiness can indicate a lack of familiarity with video tools, potentially leading scholarship committees to feel applicants are not serious.

Students can employ various techniques to keep a camera from shaking, including a camera stabilizer. Schools and community media organizations may offer stabilizers either for a small fee or for free to students serious about filmmaking.

Audio and video both play an important role in a film project, and students should shoot and edit their work with an eye toward both dimensions. Low-quality audio and lighting immediately indicate a filmmaker's lack of experience and may eliminate the applicant from consideration for many video and multimedia scholarships.

When filming, students should pay careful attention to time of day, lighting, and background noise. It may be impossible to eliminate all noises and lighting fluctuations, but video editing software offers correction tools to help address these issues. Many programs offer free trials or discounts for students.

When filming any video project, students should always keep in mind the composition and background of each shot. Consider what appears in the background of each shot, keeping in mind that both objects and other people can affect composition and may also impede filming. For example, when filming in a public place, students should ask businesses if they are comfortable with appearing in video footage.

Learners should also consider any pedestrians or other individuals who may appear in a shot. Students may need to locate quieter areas to film or receive consent from individuals featured prominently in the background of video footage.

While applicants should aim to submit the highest quality video possible, remember that scholarship committees do not expect professional quality work. Video and multimedia scholarships serve emerging filmmakers, not trained professionals, and committees recognize that students still have much to learn. However, scholarship applicants can distinguish themselves by submitting work that shows personality, passion, and artistic potential.

Filmmakers should always ensure that their video submissions align with both the scholarship prompt and the values of the organization offering an award. In general, applicants who demonstrate a strong understanding of the scholarship parameters are more likely to receive serious consideration.