What is a Video Essay?
Simply put, a video essay is like a written essay but in video format. Just like an essay, it is focused on a particular topic and presents discussion and analysis, usually developing an argument. There are, however, many qualities and reasons in favour of using a video format for an essay, instead of a written one.
So, why do we create Video Essays?
Video is undeniably a crucial communications tool in today’s world. Whether you use videos for communicating scientific research, for advertising, or for entertainment, and whichever sector you spend your work and leisure time in, video is a key means of sharing ideas and information. Developing your ability to create video will therefore provide you with a skill that will be useful whatever your degree, career and interests are.
The medium can prompt new perspectives
In a video essay, you express your ideas with visuals and audio, simultaneously. This medium can prompt you and your viewer to think about topics in new ways, and can therefore help you and your audience to develop understanding of new concepts and ideas. Visuals and audio also provide you with opportunities for more impactful communication to help you make your points forcefully and in ways in which they will be better remembered.
What tips would you offer for creating a video essay?
1. Refer to the specific guidelines provided for your particular assignment
Firstly, ask your teacher for details about the specific assignment that you need to create a video essay for. Different modules, and different assignment within those modules, will specify the details surrounding the video essay that is required.
2. Embrace the chance to be creative with film-making techniques
Do embrace the genre of video to present your essay creatively. So, do experiment with film-making techniques. With a video you can use the audio and visual mediums in many ways to present your analysis and argument. For instance, you might use some of the following: –
- Text such as captions or subtitles, to add to, comment on, or or even subvert the visual image
- Audio such as music, a full soundtrack, or incidental sound effects
- Voiceover – perhaps as a narrator
- A ‘piece to camera’ or ‘talking head’ where you, or your colleagues, provide a section talking directly to the viewer
3. Maintain the key qualities of an ‘essay’
Thirdly, try to embrace this opportunity for creativity, whilst also remembering that the video essay is still an essay. Therefore, it should present the qualities of an essay in terms of being clearly structured, providing analysis based on well researched data and sources, and by developing an argument throughout. You should think carefully about how you can provide that structure, analysis, reference to data and sources, and argument – and think how you do this with audio and visuals. This does not mean that you have to adopt a serious, removed or dry style – try to engage with, as well as inform your audience.
Don’t forget to cite your sources
You do need to cite all the sources that you refer to in your video. As with other pieces of assessed work, referencing is very important. Please see the Change Makers guidelines on plagiarism here.
How do I present my references in the Video Essay?
For your bibliography you should create slides at the end of the video that provide a list of all the sources that you have referred to. You should use the Harvard style of referencing for this bibliography. Following good practice (see, for example, Tufts University), you should group your references onto three slides at the end of the video: one for ‘Research Sources’, one for ‘Image/Video Sources’, and one for ‘Audio Sources’. These slides should be static for 4-5 seconds so that the viewer can read them. As with any referencing list, the time taken by the reference slides will not be included when calculating whether the length of the video is within the parameters given for the assignment.
If you quote or paraphrase from a source, or use an idea from a particular source, you should again follow the Harvard style of referencing for in-text citations, stating the surname of the author and year of publication. Include this in the same video shot where the idea/quote is presented.
Should I also provide production credits, and a note on what course the video was produced for?
Yes, just like in TV programmes, or films, again it is good practice for you to include a slide at the end of the video showing the names of the individuals and what they did to produce the video. You should also provide a slide stating the course or module for which the video was produced.
Should I worry about copyright when using images or clips from TV, film or videos?
All artwork, TV, film or video is covered by copyright law. Copyright law allows for ‘fair use’ – so you may critique other peoples’ work, review it, or quote it, for the purposes of an educational assessment – and your video essay assignment is an educational assessment. You should still always credit other people’s work and you should make a risk assessment on the likelihood of the copyright holder objecting to your use of their work, for copyright or reputational reasons. Please speak to your teacher if you are unsure about the ‘fair use’ of any source for your video essay assignment.
It is recommended that you consult your teacher before sharing your video beyond the class, because this would be less likely to constitute fair use of intellectual property.
Obtain permission to film or use a live performance or interview
If you create your own film by filming in a private space you must check the filming and photography policy of the location before you make the film; and you should ask the people in shot in the private space, even in the background, for their permission to use their images, as they may have reasons for not wanted to be photographed.
You must also seek written permission from anyone featured in your video who is giving a live performance or interview.
Group Assignments
Speak to your teacher about the specific requirements of any group particular video essay assignment. Also, do be aware that in any group assignment the copyright for the video essay is jointly owned by all the students that created it. Therefore, one person cannot share a copy without the agreement of the whole group.
Finally, if you have any questions ask your module leader, and do have fun creating your video essays.
You can find more information about using video for a Change Makers assignment here.
You can find more information about avoiding plagiarism here.
You can find more information about the I-Explore and Horizons policies on plagiarism here.
Last updated 17th October 2023