The 60 Second Storyteller

Focus: Non-Fiction and Documentary

In Term 1, we looked at the "Hero’s Journey" in fiction. This term, we look at how real-life heroes are captured on film. We will be using the 60 Second Docs format to learn how to produce high-impact, professional-grade documentary content.

Week 1: Deconstructing the Formula

Objective: To understand how non-fiction stories are structured for maximum engagement.

• The Theory: Professional mini-docs aren't just random clips; they follow the "Hook, Heart, and Hustle" framework.

  1. The Hook: The first 5–10 seconds. An unusual statement or visual that stops the scroll.

  2. The Heart: The middle 30 seconds. Why does this person care? What is their emotional drive?

  3. The Hustle: The final 20 seconds. Seeing them in action and their final takeaway.

• Watch some 60 Second Docs

• Task: Complete the "Documentary Foundations" quiz (Google Forms may require login).  

You will need to understand A-Roll, B-Roll, Rule of Thirds, Diegetic Sound, Symbolic Codes and what a Radio Edit is.

For the second section, you will choose any video from the 60 Second Docs YouTube Channel and identify the exact timestamps and descriptions for the Hook, the Heart, and the Hustle.

Week 2: Technical Mastery (The Capture)

Objective: Learning to film for the edit. In documentary, you don't just "film what happens"—you capture specific ingredients to build a story later.

1. The A-Roll (The Interview)

The "A-Roll" is the backbone of your story. If the audio is bad or the framing is messy, the audience will tune out.

• The Rule of Thirds: Position your subject to the left or right of the frame. They should be looking across the empty space toward the interviewer (off-camera), not directly into the lens.

• The Background: Look behind your subject. Is there a messy whiteboard or a stray bin? Move your subject or the camera to find a "clean" background.

• Audio is King: Use a Zoom recorder. Check your levels syncronise in post-production.

2. The B-Roll (The 3-Shot Rule)

"B-Roll" is the footage that covers the interview. To make a 60-second doc look professional, you must use the 3-Shot Rule for every action you film:

1. The Wide (WS): Shows the whole person and their environment (The Context).

2. The Medium (MS): Focuses on the person performing the task (The Character).

3. The Tight (CU): An extreme close-up of the hands or the object (The Detail).

Practical Task: The Classroom "Micro-Doc" Shoot

In pairs, you will perform a mock shoot. One person is the "Subject" and the other is the "Crew." You must capture the following "ingredients" using your topic of choice.

Choose a "Classroom Skill" for your subject:

• The Artist: Sketching or digital illustration.

• The Techie: Coding or building a PC component.

• The Speed-Cuber: Solving a Rubik's cube.

• The Cardist: Shuffling or performing a card trick.

• The Gear-Head: Explaining how to set up the very camera you are using.

The "Must-Have" Ingredient List:

•  Interview: Ask your partner: "What is the hardest part about this?" and "Why do you love doing it?"

•  Wide Shot: The subject at their desk.

•  Medium Shot: The subject's face while they are focused.

•  Close-Up: A tight shot of the hands/fingers in motion.

•  Natural Sound: A 10-second recording of just the "skill" sounds (the pencil scratching, the cards shuffling).

Checklist - before shooting:

• 25fps

• 1/50 sec shutter speed

• 800 ISO or under

• Tripod

• Use of lighting - overheads down, use window light and reflector

Week 3: The "Snappy" Edit

Objective: To master the professional documentary workflow: Audio first, Visuals second.

This week, you will take the "ingredients" you filmed in Week 2 and assemble them into a tight, 60-second sequence. We aren't just putting clips in a line; we are "sculpting" a story.

Step 1: The Radio Edit (Audio First)

In a 60-second doc, the voice tells the story.

• The Task: Import your interview (A-Roll) into DaVinci Resolve.

• The Cut: Use the Blade Tool (B) to cut out every "um," "ah," long pause, or repetitive sentence.

• The Goal: Create a 45–50 second continuous "voiceover" that sounds natural and energetic. If you close your eyes and listen, the story should make perfect sense without seeing a single image.

Step 2: Layering the B-Roll (Covering the Cuts)

Now that your audio is "snappy," you’ll notice your video looks like a mess of "jump cuts" (where the subject's head snaps around).

• The Task: Drag your B-Roll (Wide, Medium, and Tight shots) onto Video Track 2.

• The Goal: Use the B-Roll to hide your audio edits. The audience should see the "Hustle" (the hands, the skill, the environment) while they hear the "Heart" (the interview).

• Rule of Thumb: Try to change the shot every 2–3 seconds to keep the energy high.

Step 3: Sound Design & "Ducking"

A professional doc has layers of sound.

• Music: Find a royalty-free track that matches your subject's energy.

• Ducking: Ensure your music isn't drowning out the voice. Use the Inspector to lower the music volume (usually to around -20dB to -25dB) whenever the subject is speaking.

• Texture: Add your "Natural Sound" (the pencil scratching, the cards shuffling) back in. This makes the video feel "3D."

Week 3 Formative Task: The "Rough Cut" Submission

By the end of this week, you should have a 60-second draft. Checklist for your draft:

• Is there a clear Hook in the first 10 seconds?

• Is the audio clear and easy to understand?

• Does the music match the "vibe" of the subject?

• Are there at least 10–12 B-Roll clips covering the interview?

Weeks 4–9: Major Production – The 60-Second Doc

Now it’s time to find your own subject and tell a story that matters. You are the Director, Cinematographer, and Editor. Your mission: capture the Hook, Heart, and Hustle of a unique personality in exactly 60 seconds.

Week 4: Pre-Production & The Pitch

Objective: Planning for success. You cannot film until your "Paperwork" is approved.

• The Subject Search: Identify a subject with a visual "skill" or a compelling story.

• The Treatment: Write a 150-word summary of your doc. Who is the subject? What is the "Hook"? What is the "Heart"?

• The Storyboard: Create a 12-frame storyboard specifically for your B-Roll. Plan your Wide, Medium, and Tight shots so you don't waste time on set.
  
  

Weeks 5–6: Production (The Shoot)

Objective: Capturing high-quality A-Roll and cinematic B-Roll.

• The Interview: Set up in a quiet location with good lighting. Record 5–10 minutes of conversation to ensure you have enough "gold" for your Radio Edit.

• The 3-Shot Rule: Ensure you have at least 20+ pieces of B-Roll. Capture the "Details" (hands, eyes, tools) and the "Atmosphere" (wide shots of the space).

• The Sound Check: Use headphones! Don't assume the audio is recording—listen for wind or background hums that could ruin your edit.
  
  

Weeks 7–8: Post-Production (The Edit)

Objective: Polishing your story in DaVinci Resolve.

• The Radio Edit (Week 7): Lock in your 60-second audio track. It must be tight, punchy, and emotional.

• The Visual Overlay (Week 8): Layer your best cinematic shots.

• Color Grading: Use the Color Page to give your doc a "mood." (e.g., increased contrast for a gritty athlete, or warm saturation for a painter).

• Titles & Credits: Add a professional Lower Third to identify your subject and a final "Produced by" credit including your music citations.
  
  

Week 9: The Screening & Reflection

Objective: Evaluating the impact of your work.

• The Premiere: We will hold a "60-Second Film Festival" in class.

• The Reflection Task: After the screening, write a 200-word analysis of your film.

  • How did your Technical Codes (lighting/angles) represent your subject?

  • Did your Hook successfully engage the audience?

  • What would you change if you had a Hollywood budget?
    
    

Submission Checklist

1. Pre-production Treatment & Storyboard.

2. Final 60-Second Doc (.mp4 format).

3. Final Reflection Statement.
   
   

Major Project Tips:

Keep it Simple: One person, one passion, one minute. Don't try to tell a 10-minute story in 60 seconds.

The 2-Second Rule: In the final edit, no B-Roll shot should stay on screen for more than 3 seconds. Keep the pace moving!