Keeping it Reel!
• Text- Text on the screen can be a great tool. If an image or sound bite is not evident, text can help identify important pieces of information. It can also reinforce information that is being used in the voice-over.
• Music- Like documentaries on the History Channel, PBS or HBO, music can be an effective tool in a History Day project. Appropriate use of music can be powerful, almost emotional. If possible, music from the time period or the region strengthens the historical quality of the documentary. Smithsonian’s Global Sound is a great resource for international or aboriginal music: http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/. It is important that any vocals do not compete with the narration. Bring the sound up and down when appropriate. Music with vocals is best avoided during narration.
• Voiceover- Ten minutes is not a lot of time to squeeze in months of research and work, so a well-timed voiceover or narration is important. The narration should be recorded first so pictures and other clips can be timed when putting the video and images together. It is important not to rush and to enunciate. Students are responsible for doing their own narration or voiceovers. Take time for pauses. Ten minutes of rushed speaking will be difficult for the audience to absorb.