“I don't get tripped up in technology. I use technology as a tool.”

Spike Lee

Even if you do not own a camera and professional editing software, there’s plenty of resources that you consider. Here’s a couple of suggestions:

• Visit your local library, Community center, youth center or contact NGOs that help people find employment
• You can always rent or borrow equipment
• Create a video using alternatives (ppt, online open-source tools, Blender, Google slides, iMovie ...)
• Remember you do not have to use professional cameras to create a video, you can always record your video with your phone, tablet or your laptop.

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“To make a great film you need three things - the script, the script and the script.”

Alfred Hitchcock

So by now, you know already what you want to say, but here’s another question: how do you want to realise it in a video, with images and sound? This is the moment to imagine your story! Try to see and hear with your mind’s eyes and ears what you want the viewers to see and hear. Before getting cameras and phones out and recording your video CV, you better prepare. It’s good practice to write a script even if it’s just a simple outline. It will help you focus on what’s important and you won’t forget to mention anything. A script or storyboard should be clear to yourself, but also to the viewer. In fact, the viewer should be able to construct the video you have in mind on the basis of your script or storyboard.

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“Before you say ‘cut,’ wait five more seconds.”

Wim Wenders

Filming Checklist: audio

• Film in a quiet place in order to avoid background noise and interruptions.
• Make sure that you’re not talking too fast and that you’re making pauses after each sentence/section.
• If you can, use an external microphone

Filming Checklist: video

• Film in a bright room.
• Avoid filming outdoors.
• Put the camera between the source of light and the subject.
• Place your subject in the center of the frame, looking directly into the camera, with the eyes on approximately ⅔ of the height of the image.
• Leave a little bit of headroom above the top of the head but not too much.
• Avoid cluttered backgrounds.
• Place your camera at the eye level of the subject.
• Use a tripod, or mount the camera to something stable.
• Do NOT use the zoom of your mobile phone
• Adjust resolution settings of your camera and record in Full HD (1080p)
• Sit 0,6-1m away from the camera

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"I get stage fright and gremlins in my head saying: 'You're going to forget your lines'."

Alan Rickman

Don’t want to film yourself? Feel camera-shy? There could be a number of different reasons for not wanting to perform in front of the camera. Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to in order to create a video CV! Here’s a couple of examples:

• Animated video
• Filming someone else
• Creating a video from stock footage
• Filming your pet! 🐕🐈🐟

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"I think performers are all show-offs anyway, especially musicians. Unless you show off, you're not going to get noticed."

Elton John

You’ve just created a video and you’re excited to share it with the whole world, congratulations! Welcome to the next step – that is trying to get your work seen. It might feel like you’ve done all the hard work already but … this step requires attention and planning as well. After all, if no one, or in fact if your prospective employers, won’t watch your digital story, all the hard work will be fruitless. 🍒 It is important to prepare a publicity plan. Here’s a couple of things to take into account:

• Are you planning to attach this video with your application?
• Maybe you’d like to circulate it to a wider audience?
• Which channels are you going to use to distribute and why?
• Where do hiring managers advertise the job? Maybe targeting them on those platforms eg. Linkedin woudl be

If you’re going to be using social media to distribute your video CV, it might be worth doing a relevant hashtag research to discover new opportunities to reach your potential employers. For instance, Tik Tok launched a video CVs programme in 2021 and in order for their resumes to be considered, people were asked to add #TikTokResumes hashtag.

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