Do-It-Yourself Video Curriculum

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Yes, you really can!

Alan Danielson | posted 3/09/2009

Topics:	Creativity, Curriculum, Host model, Multimedia, Technology
Filters:	Coach, Group Leader, Teacher, Train
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	None
Date Added:	March 09, 2009

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My first experience with video small-group curriculum was during the 40 Days of Purpose campaign. I picked up my small-group VHS tape and heard Rick Warren tell me, "If you can read, you can lead, and if you can push play on a VCR, you can be a star." I was amazed. It was so revolutionary to provide free video curriculum for small-group leaders—and it was so easy to use! I was hooked, and I immediately began asking, "How can I get my next fix?"

So that started me on the journey of creating video curriculum for my small-group leaders. My team and I have made plenty of mistakes along the way, but we've also made some great strides. Both our failures and successes have helped us continue to improve our methods. So, based on our experience, here is a step-by-step strategy to help you begin creating video curriculum for your small-group leaders.

Step 1: Locate a Videographer/Editor

While having a staff videographer is nice, it's not necessary to create video curriculum for your small-group leaders. Ask some of your leaders and volunteers if they know someone within your church who has a video-editing business or hobby. Outsourcing the video shoot and the editing will help you create a quality product.

Step 2: Choose Your Subject Matter

Your decisions about content will determine everything else, so choose if your subject matter will follow your weekend messages, will be a Bible study, or a topical study.

Step 3: Decide the Best Way to Communicate Your Ideas

The simplest approach to communicating your subject matter is to have a teacher from your church simply speak to a camera. With cue cards or a good memory, this can be done in just a couple of takes.

However, I would encourage you to ask if there's a better way to communicate the subject. Is there an image that makes a powerful statement? Could you interview someone whose story effectively makes your point? Are there props that can visually illustrate your topic? Can you communicate your idea with humor? Can actors tell the story best?

Answering these questions before you shoot will help you produce a higher quality and more memorable curriculum.

Step 4: Select Your Cast

Your first cast member is your teacher, but sometimes you might find it useful or necessary to expand your cast with actors or interviewees. The right teacher should always be one of the best teachers on your church staff. Never just settle for someone who is willing to teach on video. Instead, seek out the people with the desire and talent to effectively communicate your topic on camera.

Finding actors may be somewhat challenging. You can always find free actors from within your staff or congregation. If you are not convinced that these free actors will meet your expectations of excellence, you might consider developing a relationship with a local college theater professor. Students aspiring to act will often jump at the opportunity to practice their art. They might even help for free, but a small fee or honorarium would be helpful. So you may need to put a little extra money in your budget if actors are going to help make your point.

Still, there are people within your congregation who have great stories to tell. Ask around and find out who has a story that will enhance your video curriculum, and ask if they would like to be interviewed on camera. While you are asking questions during the interview, have them start their answers by saying your question in the form of a statement. For example if you asked a man when he realized he had an addiction to pain killers, he should start his answer by saying, "I realized that I was addicted to pain killers when … ." Also, looking straight into a camera lens without appearing uncomfortable is a skill that takes time to develop, so ease your interviewee's fears by asking them to not look directly at the camera.

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