1. THE PROGRAM

Reel Story Communications is proud to offer Modern Muse Media’s one-of-a-kind, Social Media Video Training Program to businesses, organizations and individuals. This 30-hour course will teach your existing social media or marketing staff how to efficiently, creatively and consistently produce professional quality video for your favourite social media websites.

Each program begins with our comprehensive, 12-module curriculum, which is then fully customized for your organization to match your social media video needs with your employee’s current skills. It then levels up your team to take full advantage of this must-have marketing trend.

You pick your KPI. We’ll train your team to reach it.

2. THE VIDEO

As part of the curriculum, your company creates a video produced by your very own trainee for practical application and execution. Reel Story Communications oversees the production, which can be anything your company requires – a sales video – about video – tutorial videos – micro-content for Facebook or YouTube ads – or the setting up of a web series – all within the modules of the program. 

3. THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Each trainee who completes the program is invited to join a private Facebook group of fellow alumni and professional video producers where members collaborate, encourage and share with one other. They can post questions, ask for advice, constructive critiques, or show off their latest tricks. It’s a friendly, open, supportive community, and a way to keep your training investment always up to date.

PROGRAM DETAILS

The Social Media Video Training Program is an intensive, hands-on, course designed to prepare trainees for the role of creating video for social media, managing that video, and increasing its ROI for their employer.
It aims to take each trainee from novice or intermediate to professional producer with an open-ended approach to content. The course prepares them to create the types of videos that work best with their company’s agendas and allows them to be produced in-house, saving the company tens of thousands of dollars of production costs.

THE COURSE

The Social Media Video Training Program is a 30 course-hour program with 12 modules designed to cover the entire spectrum of social media video production and deployment. (It should be noted that while the outline of the program does not change, the depth of coverage of each module can be customized to meet each trainee’s need and each company’s mandate.) The course is  limited to 1 participant at a time. We aim to have each course completed within 4 to 6 weeks.

MODULE 1 – PLATFORMS
2 course hours

Part 1, A review of today’s current, relevant social media platforms
Part 2, A review of the different types and styles of videos
Break…
Part 3, Spotlight: The Practitioners: Who’s doing it right and how?

Resources needed:

• computer with Internet connection

• projector, or TV and sound/speakers

• YouTube links

Summary: In this module we have a look at examples of each of the different video-friendly platforms, video types, and see who is rocking these worlds.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates should feel comfortable picking relevant (1) Platform(s), (2) Style(s), and (3) Type(s) of videos for their organization.

MODULE 2 – RESOURCES
4 course hours

Part 1, The tools of the trade
Part 2, Assessing the tools at hand
Part 3, Assessing the kinds of shots needed to tell a story
Part 4, Make a short movie with the tools at hand
Part 5, How to find more resources when you need them

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• notebooks, pens

• samples of tools and equipment

Summary: In this module, we dig deep into the tool-kit of the modern social media video content producer. From this wider scope, we take inventory of what the Trainee has available to use and demonstrate ways to get the most out of each tool at hand. We also look at ways to calculate the time needed to produce the types of content we choose to create. We then take everything we’ve learned and make a short, hands-on movie.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will learn to shoot a short video, get comfortable behind the camera and take theory to practice with shots, angles, lighting and more.

MODULE 3 – FOCUS
2 course hours

Part 1, Video Content vs. Video Documentation
Part 2,  Finding your social media ‘soul’
Part 3, Figuring out who your company’s customers are, what kind of video your company needs, and how it will be used

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• social media worksheets

• whiteboard, flipchart, paper, pens

Summary: In this module, we begin the journey of figuring out the who, what, where, when and why of your video social media plan. We have a solid look at who your customers are and do a number of exercises to help you define your company’s social media ‘soul,’ or ‘voice,’ or ‘personality.’

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will decide what type of videos will be produced for their organization.

MODULE 4 – STORY
2 course hours

Part 1, What is the story you want to tell with video?
Part 2, What and who are these videos going to be about? 

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• notebooks, pens

Summary: In this module, we pull together everything we’ve learned, and, as a group, decide on the story we’re going to tell. Then we’re going to figure out exactly who our audience is and cast them as the hero.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates – along with help from the instructor – will establish the brand story of their organization.

MODULE 5 – SCRIPT
1.5 course hours

Part 1, Start with a concept
Part 2, Write the script
Part 3, Storyboarding and shot lists, which one to use, when and how

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• whiteboard, flipchart, paper, pens

Summary: In this module, we brainstorm ideas, discuss what’s possible and then write the first draft of our script. We then take the script, break it down, scene by scene, create a shot list and take a look at all the different ways to prepare for the shoot.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will have written a script for the type of video they decided to shoot.

MODULE 6 – PRE-PRODUCTION
1.5 course hours

Part 1, Pre-production and making arrangements
Part 2, Production Schedule & Call Sheet

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• mobile phone

Summary: In this module, we begin the task of making the production a reality. We discuss details, make decisions, make phone calls, arrangements and schedules. We plan. We create a Production Schedule and a Call Sheet.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will learn about the many details which must be considered in order to be prepared for shoot day.

MODULE 7 – SHOOT DAY
5 course hours

Part 1 – Taking all we’ve learned and done in Modules 1 through 6, we now pick up our video cameras, sound recorders, notes and script and go shoot some video.

Resources needed: 

• Equipment listed in Production Notes, Call Sheet and Shot-List Documents.

• Full cast and crew.

Summary: In this module, we take our knowledge and prep and shoot the video project. We work as a team acquiring the footage and media needed to tell our story.

Goal:
In this module, candidates will make their video (shoot & use their script).

MODULE 8 – POST PRODUCTION
7 course hours

Part 1, Manage, review, and catalogue your footage
Part 2, Edit your footage (and other media)
Part 3, Sound
Part 4, Post Production
Part 5, Formats, file sizes, deployment and backup
Part 6, Subtitles

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection & video editing software

• speakers

• various media (SD cards, SSD’s, Storage Drives)

Summary: In this module, we gather all footage, audio, still images and post production materials and make our movie. We learn how to catalogue files, edit a timeline, add titles and effects, music, edit sound, render and export and generate closed-caption subtitles.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will produce a polished video.

MODULE 9 – PURPOSING
1.5 course hour

Part 1, How to use your social media video across other platforms, and how to produce different movies for different platforms.
Part 2, Posting natively vs. cross-linking. Landscape vs. Portraits and templates
Part 3, Slicing & dicing and coming up with new recipes using the same content
Part 4, Making sure it all looks good

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• projector or large monitor or screen

• video editing software / studio

Summary: In this module, we dig into one of the most important parts of managing social media video.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will understand how to use the video(s) they produce on chosen platforms.

MODULE 10 – ENGAGING
1 course hour

Part 1, How to share your work. Examples, samples, tips and tricks
Part 2, How to use your videos to engage others and start conversations
Part 3, To comment, or not to comment? That is the question.
Part 4, Connection vs. Promotion

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• projector or large monitor or screen

• social media accounts (set up)

Summary: In this module, we look at all the different ways to share your work, including platforms, schedules, techniques and how to use video to start conversations and make connections. We also talk about the benefits and downside of comments and user feedback.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will learn how to connect video with their audience using SM tactics with examples & hands-on exercises.

MODULE 11 – PROMOTING
1 course hour

Part 1, How, and how not, to promote your work
Part 2, Monetization, Google Adsense? Is it right for you?
Part 3, SMO, hashtagging and meta content

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• social media accounts (set up) with access

Summary: In this module we explore the business side of social media video, how to promote your work and how to make money within the various platforms.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will learn how to use advertising tools for platforms.

MODULE 12 – MEASURING & R.O.I
1 course hour

Part 1, Defining ROI
Part 2, Making sense of the numbers
Part 3, Tools of the trade, Hootsuite, Buffer, Followers, Likes, Shares and anecdotes, Conversions & Evangelists

Resources needed: 

• computer with Internet connection

• social media accounts (set up) with admin access

• information on aggregate social media management programs

Summary: In this final module, we will learn about the importance of measuring your media, understanding the results, how to calculate conversions and how to scale your efforts with third-party programs.

Goal:
By the end of this module, candidates will learn how to see what works and what doesn’t.

EVALUATION

Trainees will be evaluated at the end of each module. Ample time for questions and review will be given. Since most of the program is hands-on with trainee deliverables, overall assessment will be performed by the instructor(s) as well as the management level of the company.

THE INSTRUCTORS

Ruth Wiart

Ruth Wiart is the Executive Producer and owner of Reel Story Communications. Ruth has a unique communications background that spans over 20 years in broadcast television, corporate communications, marketing and digital media production. She has a passion for uncovering the “reel stories” within organizations that are both strategic, and, connect with their key audiences in a meaningful, authentic way.

FEE

The course fee is $10,000 CDN +GST.

Government of Alberta grant programs are available. Contact Reel Story Communications for more information.