Wow the judges with a polished submission video

At Unearthed, we're in the business of pairing digital geniuses from around the world with large players in mining and energy, to provide solutions to industry problems. So we know full well that data, processed or otherwise, can be difficult to present in a captivating, unique way.

With ExploreSA: The Gawler Challenge's final deadline for submissions looming, we're here to tackle what will, for some, be the most challenging aspect of their entry: the submission video.

In specific reference to the Gawler Challenge, a video submission has been requested as part of the shortlisting process. If you want your proposal documents to be reviewed in detail, a good-looking video is your ticket to get there.
 

Hungry for the winning submission?

Being able to produce a high-quality pitch video is a priceless skill that will serve you all through your career. For the ExploreSA: Gawler Challenge, we are asking submitting participants to create a single five-minute video that explains their approach and methodology, and their generated targets and logic behind these. 

Submission videos are, generally speaking, judged on their content and not aesthetics.

This having been said, there's definitely a difference between a great submission and one that doesn't reach the next round. Most participants record audio over a presentation on-screen, and in fact, this is among the clearest ways to articulate your proposal, provided you have structure.

Introducing the submission-video sandwich:

1. Delicious top bun
   Here's where you introduce yourself and your team, perhaps with a short and sweet bio for each person. What are you discussing today? And in what order?
    
2. Tasty tomato
   Here's where you should introduce your approach and methodology. Lay it out clearly, in a logical flow that is easy to follow
    
3. Fresh lettuce
   Time to back yourself up! What makes you think that your recommended approach and methodology will work?
    
4. Succulent meat and cheese
   This is where we touch on the juiciest part of your proposal - your targets and what makes them viable. There are lots of ways to visualise data, consider getting creative!
    
5. Delicious bottom bun
   Conclusion time! Summarise what you have spoken about in 3 - 5 clear points, and then give a friendly sign-off to your audience.
    

Now, who's hungry to get editing?!
 

The software options are endless...

There are many different pathways to a great video asset, depending on how to intend to capture yourself. If you are unsure about how to use a specific application, consider jumping onto YouTube or onto the website for your chosen software package for demos and tutorials.

• You plan to film yourself beside your presentation with a video camera:

  • Some popular editing applications include Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple iMovie, Nero Video, Corel VideoStudio, Filmora from Wondershare, CyberLink PowerDirector, Adobe Premiere Elements, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Pinnacle Studio.
     

• You plan to film yourself with my smartphone or tablet and edit this footage to include your presentation:

  • If you are using an Apple product:
    • Splice, Enlight Videoleap, Filmmaker Pro, Cinematic, Vee for Video, Inshot, Videoshop, VivaVideo, VLLO, Adobe Premiere Rush, or KineMaster
       
  • If you are using an Android product: 
    • Video Maker & Video Editor, Vimeo Create, YouCut, Inshot, Filmmaker Pro, or Vlog Editor for Vlogger.

• You plan to film yourself in a lecture format using your computer:

  • You may wish to consider using Loom, Jing, CamStudio, Camtasia Studio, or ScreenFlow.
     

If you plan to film yourself in person, keep it polished.

This is general housekeeping, but it really helps to give your video a polished 'edge' on a less thought-out production:

• Dress for the job you want - literally. If you win Newcrest Minging's Gawler Challenger, you'll be speaking with them as your client in future.
   
• Lose the sunglasses and any reflective surface in which the audience can see your camera equipment.
   
• Choose a clean space for filming. A light, naturally-lit space can reduce your requirements for superficial lighting. Don't forget to set the white balance on your recording device before you press 'record'.
   
• Is the space you've chosen for filming quiet? Even an intermittent sound like a dog barking or a car horn can really throw your audio vibe so try to sound-proof where you can. Turn off fans and noisy appliances, and it is always best practice to record some white noise in the exact same environment before you start so you that you can sample this between audio tracks in the editing suite.
   
• Your body language matters. To show confidence, try to dry your shoulders back whilst speaking, and lift your chin towards the camera. 

No camera? No problem. Smartphones are perfectly capable of recording the perfect submission video, but you may wish to look into setting up a proper tripod to avoid an unstable visual or 'selfie arms'. 
 

Framing is critical

In the film and photography industries, this is referred to as the 'Rule of Thirds':

Source: Premium Beat

These guiding lines you're seeing over the subject's face aren't a coincidence - this shot was framed with intention. As a guiding principle, one of those vertical lines should line up with the key thing you'd like your audience to watch. An intersection of horizontal and vertical lines should be where a specific point of interest finds itself in your frame, for example, your face!

We suggest standing to one side of the frame, facing your camera. Provided you apply the rule of thirds, it doesn't matter what distance you are standing from the camera as you'll always be framed to perfection:

Let's talk about specs, baby.

For your submission video to really shine, we recommend adhering to the following video specifications:

• No more than 5 minutes in length
   
• 4:3 Landscape aspect ratio
   
• Closed captions are recommended but not compulsory
   

Click here for a specifications sheet from Google, or here for a specifications sheet from Vimeo. 

Or, you may just wish to upload your video to Google Drive, or similar, and set access to 'public'.
 

Don't forget, submissions for ExploreSA: The Gawler Challenge are due by 31 July 2020.

The submission deadline for ExploreSA: The Gawler Challenge is looming, don't miss it! If you need a helping hand with your submission, you can reach out to fellow competitors and Unearthed moderation staff on either the challenge Forum or the #ExploreSA channel in the Unearthed-Community Slack. You can also visit the challenge's FAQ page or email us at [email protected] - we're here to help!