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Youth are like race horses. Fast, furious and ready to stumble.

If race horses aren’t given blinders with the appropriate guidance on where to go they will get distracted and will lose focus on the race in front.

I’ve been seeing several youth efforts being started in the areas of video production. I’ve come to realize that Allah has blessed me to inspire some of these individuals through the work I’ve done.

However, I believe many of these guys are following in the same mistakes that I’ve done in the past.

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I came across a series of posts on muslimyouthmusings.com that addressed the issue of video development. After commenting on the one of blog posts itself, I felt that the priority given to some of the points made in the series needed addressing.

The first article (on production) states:

In the past years, many Muslim video productions have been done Alhamdulillah (DVDs, VHS, etc.). However, quite a few failed in engaging its Muslim viewers, and the effect of the message was lost.

The first thing that needs to be deciphered is, what type of video are you making? Is it a live lecture, speech, or a planned video?

When I approach a project, before asking “WHAT” I look at the specific objectives that I’m trying to achieve - for my client or my own company - and how i’m going to measure my progress towards those objectives.

Without specific measures, it’s difficult to say if I’m making any progress at all.

I want to have total clarity on WHY I’m making the video. What is the video suppose to accomplish?

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Off the top of my head case study: Where The Wild Things Are

Before I lay out the case study, I recommend not wasting your time with this movie. The reasons for that have been laid out by my wife in her article, “The ‘Wild Things’ Are on Prozac.”

When the author was approached about the movie adaptation of the book, he made it known that his objective is to make more people aware of this story that can be shared with children and alike.

The movie adaption naturally results in the book getting more attention and thus book sales go up.

I’m sure the publishers behind the book were measuring the affect the movie had on sales and how they can capitalize on this opportunity to the max.

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Once the goals and objectives behind the project are clear and you know what you’re measuring specifically, develop the character and story.

I admit that I haven’t been fully disciplined in this area as I should be.

The temptation to get caught up on the technical aspects of production is great for a geek such as myself. However, that doesn’t take away from the priority that this step holds.

If you dont develop the story and character then don’t expect to be able to garner much support for your project.

These are the main elements that make a movie financially attractive both the viewers who may spend time and/or money watching what you have to offer and the investor who would be supporting your project in the form of time and/or money.

Developing the characters and story consists of defining:

• Log Line - if your video was featured on television, what would be the one liner that would be featured on the TV Guide channel?

• Title - It’s got to be something that strikes emotion

• Characters & Setting - Who are the people involved? What characteristics do they have that wold appeal to your audience? Where are they from?

You need these elements define before you can even decide whether you’re going to film a lecture, documentary, narrative, etc.

The second article (which is on editing) states:

Any video you make is a story you’re trying to tell. Create some conflict that ends up getting solved.

There’s usually a structure where you have three acts. It’s similar to play-writing of scriptwriting, but you don’t really have to make a precise script.

My issue isn’t on what’s being said, rather its on WHEN it’s being said. The story MUST be developed before the camera starts rolling. Not in editing.

The three points of story and character that I laid out above are what guide your decisions in production, post production and marketing.

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Jawaad Ahmad Khan, the author of the two articles had some good points and I commend him for having written it. The purpose of my commentary was simply to address the priority that certain aspects of the craft were given.

I feel it’s important to guide the upcoming stallions of this ummah in the right direction. For this reason I’m launching an internship with my company Leechon very soon.

For details on the internship, keep yourself posted to Leechon.com

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