How to make a 1 minute video pitch presentation for students

1. The One Minute Pitch
Shaun Foster

2. Imagine for a moment…
• You are working in NY City

3. You visit a friend at a design studio and start to talk…

4. You have an amazing idea

5. You know it could be BIG
• It is your Destiny
• Watch the advertisement (how does it “pitch” the game)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZyQK6kUdWQ&feature=trueview-instream
From: http://www.destinythegame.com/

6. As your mind whirls with possibility you get on the elevator

7. • The door opens and you see…JJ Abrams!
• (of the new Star Wars, Star Trek, Lost, Alias)

8. JJ Pushes the elevator button. You have 1-2 minutes before he gets off the
elevator. How to describe your idea to JJ. Would you make the sale?

9. As the elevator descends you think about the pitch
videos you made for your senior thesis and Project M

10. Give the perfect (elevator) pitch (from inc.)

11. 3 Steps for constructing your pitch

12. Before I give you the 3 Steps…
• Everyone needs a simple and compelling way to explain what they do
• Communicates a compelling value proposition
• Avoid: Hi my name is Design Student X. I can deliver a great project.
Do you have a project for me to work on?

13. 1) Connect with empathy (and a hook)
• Describe the problem, riddle (this is a HOOK). Metaphorically…The
images below are simply to be a visual reminder that you want to
create an emotional response
• (also remember to) Build rapport – to do this you have to know /
relate in some meaningful way to your audience

14. 2) Offer an objective solution
• Wouldn't it be great if there were a student that could design and
implement an original solution to X
• One of the most important (design / world) problems I’m interested in
helping to solve X:

15. 3) Provide differentiation
• How will you be original? Better…
• What I’ve done in the past
• What I know that others don’t
• (honest, specifics) How my personality works well in a group
• You can find advantages in any type of personality: Great researchers,
leaders, take direction well, originality of thought

16. Deliver your message
• format most understandable to your audience
• least amount of time
• creates the most interest and desire

17. MR. ABE

18. Art of War – by Sun Tsu
• Art of War (ancient Chinese book on strategy) taught in the top
business schools and military academies
• Research your target
• “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the
result of a hundred battles”

19. 7 Ways to Use Brain Science to Hook Readers
• Surprise
• Emotional design
• Explain the goal
• Tell only what is necessary (Don’t assume they know everything)
• Tell specifics
• Conflict
• It must make sense

20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvxtC60V6kc
Also discuss Student Pitch Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqIEE-g_-Uc
What do they do well? What’s missing?

21. Up to this point we have mostly discussed:
• The pitch from a written & verbal standpoint
• Let’s switch to the additional visual possibilities offered by making a
quick video
• Use your smart device:

22. Filming Advice
• Practicals (non-film specific lights) – look up 3 point lighting
• Multiple Takes:
• Borrow a friends phone shoot with 2 cameras at ones then cut between them
• If you make a mistake, pause, then keep going
• Hand held vs sticks (tripod)
• Intercut with engaging visuals
• Find online graphics, audio & video resources (Royalty free) online!
• Build a visual narrative with a payoff
• Show it, don’t say it

23. From the Book: Rebel without a Crew, maker
of Spy Kids, Sin City, etc…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UOa7tkByrw

24. Editing Advice
• Cutting on the motion (or the still)
• Staging: Guiding the eye
• Smoothing between cuts
• Strong visuals that create emotional impact
• Pacing can reflect the pitch

25. The Role of Audio
• Also record from a separate microphone
• Audio accounts for up to 50% of viewer perception
• How to synch your audio -> video
• Make a loud noise at the start of the production. Then you can look at your
audio tracks in Premiere (or whatever you are using)

26. Additional / Research
• Make them
• Simplify
• Research their targets
• Specifics: Project M: Positive Change & Think Different
• Thesis Pitch: Design Focused Challenge
• Technical Help: Use Lynda.com (link through the library) for a quick
get up to speed with Adobe: Premiere

27. The Practical Elements
• Who are you, how to reach you
• Follow-up
• Have fun, be creative! Think different!