Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Computing—Term 3
We are advertisers

Background Information
In this unit, the pupils review existing adverts or promotional films, create a storyboard, shoot original footage, source other media and edit a final version of their movie or trailer.
If the pupils have access to YouTube in your school (or a similar video sharing platform), the unit provides an opportunity for them to develop their skills in using YouTube’s search engine effectively and understanding how this selects and ranks results. This is a complex project in which the pupils will be using a variety of devices (web servers, digital cameras, computers) and a range of software for a particular purpose. They analyse content produced by others, record original content (‘collecting information’) themselves and present this in a well-crafted form before finally evaluating how successful they have been.
Safe and responsible use of technology is
emphasised throughout. You may decide to ask
pupils to create films about online safety topics,
perhaps for Safer Internet Day.

In this unit the children will…
think critically about how video is used to promote a cause
storyboard an effective advert/trailer for a cause
work collaboratively to shoot suitable original footage and source additional content, acknowledging intellectual property rights
work collaboratively to edit the assembled content to make an effective advert or trailer
How YouTube Search works (‘YouTube’s Secret Algorithm – Computerphile’): www.youtube.com/ watch?v=BsCeNCVb-d8
iMovie app

By the end of this unit….
All children will:
Identify characteristics of effective adverts
Contribute to storyboarding their video
Shoot video footage
Use search tools to find media
Import video footage and media into editing software
Export a completed advert
Most children will:
Use identified characteristics to reflect on their own work
Refine their storyboarding
Shoot high-quality video footage
Think critically about other media they could use
Assemble a rough cut of their footage
Use advanced features of editing software
Appreciate the difference between media, project files and exported movies
Some children will:
Appreciate the connection between storyboarding and algorithms
Lead their team
Appreciate the need to observe licence terms and conditions
Consider audience and purpose when using editing software

The children will explore:
Investigating adverts
Storyboarding
Shooting content
Sourcing other media
Assembling a ‘rough cut’
Polishing the ‘Final cut’

Key Vocabulary
Algorithm: An unambiguous set of rules or a precise step-by-step guide to solve a problem or achieve a particular objective.
Storyboard: Planning document for video or animation in which each scene, or sometimes shot, is drawn
Transmedia: Content developed across multiple platforms in a variety of different media, for example a website accompanying a television series.
Rough cut: Stage of video production in which scenes and shots are assembled in the correct sequence but without the attention to detail needed in the final cut.
‘Rushes’ of footage: Raw, unedited footage
Final cut: Stage of video production in which the footage is in its finished form in the editing software.
Creative Commons: A licensing scheme where the creator of an original work allows others to use it without seeking further permission, subject to a number of agreed conditions: creativecommons.org.