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Make Your Own Videos

(1- 1½ minutes long -- It may not be as hard as you think!)

Are you, a family member or someone else you care about waiting to receive services from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration? Why not do something about it and make your own video to tell your story just like we did!

The videos will be used to send a message to the Governor, legislators and the general public about the DDA Waiting List and the need for funding.

Here is what you will need:

  • DV/HDV camera
  • Personal computer or access to editing facilities.

Filming Your Video

  • Introduce yourself or your family member who is on the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s Waiting List for community services. Include the person with a developmental disability who is on the Waiting List in the video. Only use first names. Say what community or county you live in.
  • Describe your and your family’s situation. The more succinctly and efficiently you do this, the more effective the final video will be.

Some things you might want to talk about:

  • Tell a little about yourself or your family member – what you/they like & what you/they like to do.
  • What are your needs? What do you need assistance with?
  • Why are you on the DDA Waiting List?
  • How does it feel to be stuck on the DDA Waiting List? How long have you been on it?
  • How do you cope? Do you cope? How do you get by without help?
  • What are your wishes, hopes and how are they affected by being stuck without the supports and services you need?
  • How would life be different if you got support from the DDA?
  • Maryland is the wealthiest state in the nation, yet it ranks near the bottom in terms of spending on developmental disabilities services.

To draw this information out you might choose one or the other of the following options:

  • Pick 4 to 5 questions from the list above, or come up with others, and have someone interview the person being filmed. This will create a more interview/documentary-style video.
  • Write a brief 250 – 300 word script describing your own situation. This will create a more narrative-driven video. To avoid sounding scripted, you might just do an outline to prepare.
    • Note: In our video, “Caroline,” we chose the first of the two options. When we edited the video, we edited out the questions the interviewer asked.

Editing Your Video

  • Edit your video.

Do not panic if you have never edited a video before! If you have a personal computer, you probably have access to free video-editing software.

Read the tutorials and start editing your video. As you edit, you will quickly start to see what works and what does not.

  • Video Length: We strongly recommend that you keep your video between 1 and 1 ½ minutes in length. Virtually all viewers who might watch your video do so from the standpoint of vague interest or even disinterest. As such, your job is to get as much information across as quickly and eloquently as you can to draw them in and build their interest.
  • At the end of your video:
     
  • Consider including a statement that fits your story and the “End the Wait Now” theme.

Some examples:
Life Won’t Wait
Growing up Won’t Wait (if the story is about a child)
Dreams Can’t Wait
Families Can’t Wait

  • Definitely include the following information prominently.

Be Aware. Find Out More. Get Involved
www.EndTheWaitNow.com

Word it exactly like it appears above so all the Waiting List videos have the same theme and direct people to the End The Wait Now! Campaign website.

Need of assistance?
If you have questions or want to find someone who can provide you with guidance, email: info@md-council.org

When You Have Completed Your Video

Go to www.EndTheWaitNow.com
Click on “Submit Your Video” and follow the directions.

Here are some great links to resources to help you with making your own video: