YouTube Stars: Introduction to Video Production & Animation (Flexible Schedule)

In this 5-week course, students will learn how to plan, record, edit, and publish videos on YouTube. This is a fun, in-depth, course covering the video creating process and tools for students who wish to become content creators for YouTube. Students will have 1-3 hours of homework each week, practicing the techniques demonstrated in pre-recorded videos. There are no live meetings for this class. We recommend doing one lesson each week.

IMPORTANT: This class is about video production (process and tools), and does not cover topics like getting subscribers, marketing, personality development, or creating YouTube channel art. We are working on adding classes that cover those topics. Stay tuned, and follow us to be notified when we add them.

PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT INFO IN THE PARENTAL GUIDANCE SECTION.

Week 1: Introductions and Challenge Videos - This week we will learn about internet safety, challenge videos, and the video-making process. Homework for this week will be to film a challenge video with a smartphone or tablet.

Week 2: Intro to Editing - For this week of class, students will learn about editing their challenge videos, using iMovie and Kinemaster on their smartphone or tablet. Their edits will include cuts, transitions, adjusting frame speed, adding title/credits, and adding sound/music. Students will also learn how to upload their videos to YouTube. Homework for this week will be to edit the challenge videos.

Week 3: Advanced Video Planning - Now it's time to get more in-depth. Students will learn more about the video planning process, including storyboarding and scripting. For this week's homework, students will plan, record, and edit a "non-computer" video, such as a how-to, unboxing, PSA, etc... These videos will be recorded with a smartphone or tablet.

Week 4: Gaming Videos - This week students will learn how to use OBS, QuickTime, and Xbox Gamebar to record gameplay on their computer, and then edit it using Filmora or iMovie. We will also look at using the built-in tools for recording screens on iOS and Android devices. Homework for this week will be to plan, record, and edit a screencast of Roblox, Minecraft, or another game on the computer, smartphone, or tablet.  

Week 5: Stop-Motion Animation - Next up is animation. This week students will learn how to plan, record, and edit a stop-motion animation, using toys or other small objects. Homework for this week will be to complete the animation started during class. We will revisit uploading content to YouTube. The app we use for this lesson can be used on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

IMPORTANT: Students will need a smartphone or tablet separate from the device they use to watch the class in order to follow along with the instructor. For week 4, students who wish to record gameplay on a computer will need a Windows or Macintosh computer to record their videos, otherwise, they will record gameplay on a smartphone or tablet. See the External Resources and Learner Supplies sections of the course description for details about the software required for this class. We do not teach video editing on Chromebooks at this time.

PLEASE HAVE ALL SOFTWARE INSTALLED PRIOR TO THE START OF CLASS.