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Short Video Storytelling: How to Create Short-form Video Content

Create viral videos in weeks with the Communication University of China. Discover the secrets to creating bite-sized content that captivates audiences and boosts engagement.

Duration

4 weeks

Weekly study

4 hours

100% online

How it works

Unlimited subscription

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Boost your content creation with digital storytelling techniques

The average adult has an attention span of 8.25 seconds. That means, as a content creator and digital storyteller, you’ll need to grab attention fast and keep viewers hooked. How?

On this four-week course from the Communication University of China (CUC), discover the need-to-know secrets of successful short-form video creators – and find ways to lock in your digital audience and keep them coming back for more.

Create the perfect opening

You’ll begin this digital media course by learning how to capture your audience’s attention in seconds. You’ll discover the secrets of how to hook your viewers and get them to watch more with the Golden 3-second opening approach.

Shoot short videos that pack a punch

You’ll then focus on the art of shooting short-form videos, using time to your advantage. To ensure you communicate your story clearly and effectively in a short window, you’ll dive into “scene thinking” and unpack common methods for building up scenes

Edit for the small screen

Next, you’ll leverage common editing techniques, from elliptical to free narration editing, to maximise your storytelling impact on mobile devices. You’ll be challenged to experiment with different editing methods to ensure every frame serves a purpose – and keeps audiences engaged.

Craft videos that resonate

Finally, you’ll focus on bringing your ideas to life through creative expression, honing your ability to create short-form videos that connect emotionally with your audience and convey your message in a way that stands out in the digital landscape.

Week 1
Writing, because it’s swipable...
- Introduction: Storytelling and Big Data Algorithm
  Storytelling and Big Data Algorithm
- You can start a storytelling like this
  You can start a short video storytelling like this...
- You can also start a storytelling like this
  You can also start a short video storytelling like this...
- Practice
  How would you like to start your short video?
- Extention
  What is new for short video storytelling regarding the opening?
Week 2
Shooting, because it’s short...
- Introduction: Scene Thinking for Short Video
  What is Scene Thinking? And why is the scene thinking so important for short video storytelling?
- Ways of Building up a Scene
  How to build up a scene, only ONE scene for the short video storytelling? You can do like this...
- Practice
  Can you try to build up a scene for a short video? Show me your idea.
- Extention
  What's new for short video storytelling regarding building up a scene creatively?
Week 3
Editing, because it’s small...
- Introduction: Short Video Editing
  How can we tell a story that completely captivates the viewer with the images and sounds on a small screen? Let's explore together the core issues that short video editing needs to address.
- Emphasizing Editing
  Emphasizing Editing is the key way to attract the viewers' attention for short video storytelling.
- Elliptical Editing
  Elliptical Editing is a smart way to use the limited story time efficiently.
- Free Narration Editing
  Since everyone is a director, a free narration in short video storytelling means everything.
- Practice
  Given the same story, can you tell it in a creative way by using editing?
- Extention
  What's new for short video storytelling regarding editing?
Week 4
Creating, because it’s for tomorrow...
- Introduction: How Short Video Prefers to Express
  You have the subject you want to shoot, but how exactly should you express it in a short video? Let's explore how short videos prefer to express, which will help you quickly conceive short video stories.
- Capturing Moments
  Short video prefers to capture a moment rather than tell a full story.
- Amplifying Feelings
  Short video prefers to amplify a moment of feeling rather than describe a concrete process of emotion.
- Sketching Impressions
  Short video prefers to sketch a typical impression rather than portrait a specific character.
- Re-Creating
  Short video prefers to re-create, which will build up an interactive connection with the viewers.
- Practice
  Given the same story, can you create a short video quickly by using one of the expressions?
- Extention
  What's new for short video storytelling regarding expression?