Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
4 hours100% online
How it works
Short Video Storytelling: How to Create Short-form Video Content
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.
Syllabus
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?
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the principles of short video storytelling in the new media era.
- Practice a variety of creative techniques for short video production.
- Apply narrative thinking, product thinking and user thinking in your future work related to new media creation.
- Create your own short videos to document and express your feelings and perspectives on life.
- Improve your understanding of short videos in terms of reflecting contemporary life and building cultural images.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for aspiring video creators, social media enthusiasts, and professionals looking to master the art of short-form video storytelling.
Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to take your content to the next level, this course will equip you with the skills to create viral, engaging videos that resonate with audiences.
Who will you learn with?
Professor of film studies
Experienced story doctor
Pioneer researcher and educator of short videos in China
Author of "Short Video Storytelling"
published by China Radio and TV Publishing House 2023
Who developed the course?
Communication University of China
The Communication University of China (CUC) is one of the China’s key universities included in 211 Project and “985 Project Innovation Platform” under the Double First-Class Initiative, which is directly administered by the Ministry of Education. CUC was the first communication university founded in 1954 . In August 2004, it was renamed from Beijing Broadcasting Institute to Communication University of China.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
---|---|---|---|
Choose the best way to learn for you! | $79/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 11 Mar 2025 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$79/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 11 Mar 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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