“Self Portrait” by Katie McDowell (18), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts "An Old Man in Military Costume" by Simone Wuttke (18), Dartmouth College (recent Benjamin Franklin High School graduate) "This oil on canvas painting is inspired by Rembrandt's 'An Old...
I have sat with anger ingrained in my ribs night after night. I know the five stages of grief. Why am I so stuck on anger? Denial was the first one. It hit when I stood in front of my fridge all alone in my house with my knees wobbling, staring at the screen on my...
Partner Yoga Poses by Laurie Azzano of Lolo’s Youth StudioYaaaas, finally! Hello, summer! Inhale deadlines. Exhale freedom. If you’re like most, summer represents one big sigh of relief. No more early morning alarm clocks, homework, tests, school drama, or crazy,...
Makes 20-24 brownies (depending on how big you slice them) BAKE TIME: 30 minutesIngredients 6 eggs 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 3 cups brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 sticks butter 1/2 cup Crisco shortening 1 1/2 cups baking cocoa powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 3 teaspoons...
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or any form of mental distress, reach out to someone right away who can be there for you. Professional help is always an option when your psychological well-being is at risk. There is zero shame in...
Teen-Friendly NOLA ClinicsClinics that serve adolescents usually focus on the reproductive health needs of adolescents and young adults but may also provide primary care services. The ages served vary depending on the clinic, but they usually include preteens (11 or...
Have you ever wondered how you can apply astrology to your everyday life but don’t know where to start? Astrology can be very complex and sometimes overwhelming to interpret, so I have compiled a quick guide to help you consciously incorporate daily practices to...
Did you know clothing isn’t biodegradable?That means it doesn’t decompose once it’s dumped in the trash—it just sits in a landfill and creates nasty greenhouse gases in our environment. “We have to think longer and harder about the clothing we wear, where it came...
New Orleanians love their glitter, and, more than ever, we all deserve a little extra sparkle in our lives. Addie Ellis of the local biodegradable glitter company Glitter Nymph shared with us how to make shimmery oil that is good for your skin and nature. Since you...
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea What it’s about: Laure will do anything to prove a Black girl can be a star in the cutthroat world of Parisian ballet, even make a deal with a primordial power she finds in a pulsating river of blood in the...
Are you looking for inspiring ways to volunteer in the local community while fulfilling your school’s service hour requirements? We’ve talked to some great organizations in the area that rely on volunteers to help their wonderful programs run. Learn more about each...
Imagine that you just found out you are pregnant. For some young people, this may be exciting news; for others, it is not. Questions swirl: How can I take care of a baby and finish school? How can I afford to be a parent if I don’t finish school? How will my parents...
Lucy Scholz is my “shero” because she ran 300 miles from Los Angeles, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of The Speed Project. That’s roughly like running to Houston, Texas, or Seaside, Florida, from New Orleans! Not only did she win the 2023 competition and...
Careers in Skilled Trades With the cost of college continuing to rise, skilled trade careers are a great alternative pathway to stable, well-paying work and upward social mobility. Many trade workers provide essential services and help build and maintain important...
Who is your main character, and what is their goal?
Almost all projects—from animated films to nature documentaries to commercials—have a story and character at their center. Figure this out early on, and all other decisions will be easier.
What are the other important details of your story?
Think about everything that will affect the experience of your main character and your audience. For example:
What types of shots do you want to help tell your story?
Mix and match different shot types to create an interesting scene!
What will your background be? How many characters will be in each shot?
Make sure it’s not too cluttered and that the background fits the setting you chose.
Your phone’s camera will usually record videos darker than they appear in real life, so here are some tips for making sure your shots have enough light:
Experiment with different lighting before filming and find what best fits the mood.
When you record a new shot, leave a few seconds at the beginning and end where nothing happens. This will come in handy when editing.
On many phones and tablets, you can tap to change settings like brightness, color, and filters right in your camera app. Be careful though; the longer your film is or the more effects you add, the harder it will be to make all the footage look the same.
Once you’re done filming, you can open your footage in any video editing app and start editing your film. Free video editing apps we recommend:
Here are some instances when you’ll want to edit your footage:
Tip: Ask friends and family for feedback during the editing process!
When you’ve finished editing and have only your best clips left, add some extra touches like titles, music, and transitions to help tell your story and make your film look more professional.
Where do you want your finished film to be shown?
Choose a platform where you want to share your film. Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and others all have different requirements for video formats.
Check out NOVAC’s Born Digital Youth Program series on YouTube for more detailed tutorials on filmmaking at home!
Want to show other NOLA girls your talents and submit your writing or visual art?
Have questions or want to share content ideas with us?
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