Class Project: Create Your First YouTube Video Like a Pro

In this project, you’ll put your new content creation skills into action by planning, shooting, editing, and designing a thumbnail for your first YouTube video—following the exact content creation principles covered in this class.

By completing this project, you’ll gain hands-on experience in creating high-quality, engaging content that aligns with social media strategy and content marketing best practices.

Project Steps

Follow these three key steps to complete your project:

1. Shoot Your Video

✔ Follow the shooting guide to set up your camera, lighting, and framing correctly.

✔ Apply composition techniques to make your video visually engaging.

✔ Record in high quality using either a smartphone or camera.

2. Edit Your Video

✔ Use CapCut (or any editing software) to cut, trim, and enhance your footage.

✔ Add A-Roll & B-Roll, keyframes, captions, and sound design to improve storytelling.

✔ Export in the correct format for YouTube and social media platforms.

3. Design Your Thumbnail

✔ Follow the thumbnail design principles covered in the class.

✔ Use Canva (or another tool) to create a scroll-stopping, high-converting thumbnail.

✔ Ensure the design aligns with your video content and brand identity.

Final Deliverable

When you’re done, upload the following to the Project Gallery:

1️⃣ A short description of your video (what it’s about, your goal, and how you applied what you learned).

2️⃣ A link to your uploaded YouTube video (or an unlisted video if you prefer).

3️⃣ Your final thumbnail design (attach a high-quality image of your thumbnail).

Project Tips & Engagement

• Keep it simple! You don’t need fancy equipment—use what you have and focus on technique.

• Get creative! Apply the lighting, framing, and editing techniques to make your video unique.

•Engage with others! Share your project in the gallery and give feedback to your classmates.

I’ll be reviewing projects and providing feedback, so feel free to ask questions and refine your work!

Bas Hopstake

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