Are you into Film and TV? Do you enjoy creating videos with your family or friends? Do you want to learn more about video editing and production? Explore the vast field of videography and create stunning videos across a wide range of mediums. You will learn to develop a storyline, use different camera angles and zooming techniques, as well as work with scene elements. In addition, you will learn how to record and edit audio to accompany your finished videos. If you are into anything film or TV, then this is the project for you!

Download the Spark Sheet

English Spanish
Exploring 4-H

Exploring 4-H Videography
Spark Activity: It’s Showtime

A storyboard is comic book-like, visual organizer that lay outs the sequence of a story and breaks down the action into individual panels. It is a series of drawings, with notes for dialogue, actors/characters, content, camera direction, or other details. It sketches out how a video will unfold, shot by shot.

Pick a topic you want to make a video about and sketch your ideas in the frames below to plan your story!

4-H Project Levels and Goals
Beginner

4-H Project Goals

  • Learn to create a story board to convey your ideas and direction for your film
  • Learn to write a compelling script for your films or animations
  • Learn the basics of lighting a scene in order to capture your subjects clearly
  • Explore the different media available to filmmakers and animators
  • Demonstrate your knowledge of videography by exhibiting at the county or state fair in one of the following categories: Commercial / Promotional video, Documentary, Short Story / Narrative, Video / Film Innovation, or Video Ready4Life
Put Your Project Into Action

Find the Photo and Video Model Release here.

Show Your Skills

  • Create commercials for your business
  • Develop Film animated shorts to share with your friends or family
  • Create compelling documentaries based on the issues affecting you
  • Start a YouTube Channel that teaches a skill or trade

Service and Leadership

  • Be a videographer for your 4-H Club
  • Help your county create a video to promote the local 4-H program
  • Create a video or public service announcement on an issue that is important to you
  • Bring your video skills to your role in a club, county or state-level 4-H leadership group

Entrepreneurship

  • Film events for others to help preserve memories and tell a story
  • Create content and be an online influencer (e.g. YouTube, TikTok, etc.)
  • Exhibit in Ready-4-Life at your County/State Fair

Connecting with a Mentor

  • Independent Filmmaker Project Chicago (IFP)
  • Illinois Film Office
  • Central Illinois Film Commission
  • Southern Illinois Film Commission
  • Contact the local news station
  • Contact media or film department of local college

Technology Connection

  • Augmented Reality
  • Virtual Reality
  • Lighting tools and technology
  • Video editing software
  • Script writing software
  • Sound tools and technology

Events

  • 4-H Filmfest www.facebook.com/filmfest4h
  • Future Filmmakers www.filmindepenent.org
  • American Youth Film Festival www.americanyouthfilmfest.org

Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements

  • National 4-H Filmmaking Studio and Workshop Digital Downloads
  • Illinois 4-H Filmmaker

Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store. 

View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.

Careers
videographer
  • Independent Filmmaker
  • Television Production
  • News Broadcaster
  • Broadcast Engineer
  • Livestream Technician
  • Camera Operator
Start a Conversation
  • What is Videography?
  • Can I become a Videographer?
  • What do Videographers do?
  • What equipment do I need?
  • Can I make YouTube videos?
  • How do I control lighting?
  • Transitions?
  • How do I get started?
Credits

4-H Spark Sheets are a collaborative effort of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni, and teens from across Illinois. A big thanks to the many contributors and reviewers!

Resources
National 4-H Filmmaking Studio and Workshop Digital Downloads
Illinois 4-H Filmmaker