Introduce Yourself to Viewers
To tell your story, begin by saying something like, “Hi! My name is ________ and thanks to the help of my scholarship(s), I’m a (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) attending (name of your college or university). Let me tell you a little about myself and how I am achieving things that I never thought possible thanks to support from UNCF.” You don’t have to follow this exactly, but you should introduce yourself in a way that people can connect with you and your story.
Be A Cheerful Warrior
Be generally positive in telling your story. Know that your story will inspire others like you. Explain how attending college means something real to you, and it’s helping you expand your life choices, career opportunities and change lives around you.
The Great Indoors
Recording outdoors is risky for audio. Unless you’re super confident in your environment (and skills), or prepared to make multiple attempts when that noisy truck or singing bird decides to join your video shoot, stick to filming inside if possible to help control your outcome.
Sound Check
If filming indoors, take a beat to check if there are any fans/HVAC units, appliances, etc., that may be creating noise that you’ve grown used to. If they can’t be turned off, then close as many doors in between the source of the sound and the room in which you are recording. Try to record in a space that’s quiet.
Take Five
Great performances take practice 🙂 Give yourself time to do a full dress rehearsal. Once you’re ready, and if time allows, record multiple takes and pick from the best material for us to edit down for the final content.
Eye Contact
When filming from a computer or phone, avoid focusing on yourself in the webcam frame on screen. Look directly into the tiny camera and source light on your desktop or phone. If you would prefer not to look directly at the camera, focus slightly to the side of the camera. If recording from your phone, you’ll want to make sure the recording is not shaking by using a phone stand or propping your phone against something stable.
Wrap it Up
Finish telling your story to viewers by providing information like why you think you’re succeeding, what your future plans are, what educational goals you have, what job or career path you are working towards or have achieved. And please remember to thank the donors and other supporters like UNCF who have given the scholarship funds to help you achieve success. When you share this information, it helps us do more for others like you!
