AN EXCLUSIVE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP EVENT

Everything I Know About Making Videos

Fast-Track Your Video Skills:
20 Years of Knowledge in a 6-Week Course

September 20th - October 25, 2024

Everything I Know About Making Videos is exactly what it sounds like – it’s everything I know about writing, research, editing, design, mixing audio, and more. It’s over a decade of knowledge about video essay production distilled down into a single class.

Join Kirby Ferguson, a pioneer in video essay production and the creator of Everything is a Remix, for a live, interactive six-week journey into the art of video production.

Here’s what makes this class unique.

  • 2 Interactive Zoom Sessions Per Week: Engage in lectures, live presentations, discussions, and practical sessions twice weekly.

  • Direct Mentorship and Feedback: Get personalized critiques from me on your video projects.

  • Proven Tools and Techniques: Learn my complete workflow and the secrets behind successful video essays.

The course will run from September 20th - October 25, 2024.

What time are the classes?

Classes are at 9:30 AM PST / 12:30pm EST / 5:30 PM GMT

What day of the week are classes?

Classes be Tuesdays and Fridays. Tuesdays will be lectures (with plenty of room for discussion). Fridays will be workshop sessions: presentations, Q&A, discussion, and co-working. Fridays are intended to be more casual, relaxed, and unstructured.

What are the dates?

Class would begin on a Friday and there would only be one class that week.

Complete class dates are:
September 20, 24, and 27.
October 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, and 25

Tuesday are Lectures, Workshop, and Discussion
Friday are Workshop and Discussion

How long are classes?

Classes are 60 - 90 minutes long.

What happens if I can’t make a class?

Class recordings will be released shortly after class ends.

I’ve answered more anticipated questions below. If there are further questions, contact me!

Spots are limited! Reserve yours now!

Curriculum

Week 1 (September 20; 1 class only this week)

Introduction

I’ll present the big picture of what’s to come. We’ll get to know each other and get oriented, and there will be plenty of time for questions. I’ll consider all feedback and adjust the forthcoming classes wherever possible.

  • Kirby introduces himself and the course

  • Students introduce themselves

  • The origins of Everything is a Remix

  • What is a video essay? Why should you make one?

  • Two copyright choices - legal or gray zone

Week 2 (September 24 and 27) 

Research and Getting Ideas

Research is the heart and soul of how I work. Research will not only define your style, it will define you. You will become what you research. And even though you won’t be aware of it, this is where your creative ideas will take root.

  • Developing your aesthetic 

  • How I research 

  • Generating ideas using the BIAS method 

  • Becoming a clip collector

  • Studying the masters

  • What to make a video about?

Week 3 (October 1 and 4) 

Writing

My video style is entirely scripted. The first form your video will take will be a script. I’ll walk you through how I do it and help you do the same.

  • You don’t need to be a “writer”

  • How I write

  • The Odds System

  • The Role of AI - EIKA

  • Building your script library

Week 4 (October 8 and 11) 

The Audio Edit

The next iteration your video will take will be an audio piece. I’ll show you how I create a high-quality audio track first, before moving on to the video. We’re not yet editing video, but make no mistake, the video is now in production. This audio-only edit will create half the effect of your final piece. 

  • Recording quality audio

  • Editing takes

  • How to get naturalistic narration

  • Working with (and against) copyright

  • This is where problems become apparent

Week 5 (October 15 and 18) 

The Video Edit

Yes, we are finally editing actual video, but at this point, the majority of the work is already done. I’ll show you how I complete videos using copyrighted clips, found footage, stock, original clips, graphics, text, and other assets. 

  • Video editing set up

  • The Remix fundamentals of video editing

  • The dark art of finding clips

  • Filling the frickin’ timeline

  • Tightening and polishing your edit

Week 6 (October 22 and 25) 

Showcase & Feedback

For our final class, you’ll show what we’ve been working on. You’ll get notes from me and the class and we’ll problem-solve whatever you’re struggling with. Ideally, your final product will be a video, but it could also be a script, an audio mix or any sort of rough draft.

  • Work presentation 

  • Notes from me and the class 

  • Problem-solving your issues 

  • Parting words from me

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can download any missed sessions afterward.

  • Tuesday are primarily lectures. There will also be plenty of time for questions and discussion to ensure that everyone is entirely clear on the material. We'll also do some work.

    On Fridays we work. This is where you can work on what you've learned and sort out any issues you're encountering.

  • Whatever you want! I think it will work best if you make a video, but if you want to develop a script, audio piece, or something else, that's fine. If you have a video already in production that you'd like to continue here, that works too.

  • Yes! To create something significant, you'll need to put in some additional time. However, if your schedule can't accommodate that, you can make good progress on a prototype or demo project by just working in our sessions.

  • I personally use Davinci Resolve, but I'm also fluent in Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. You can use whatever you like and it's not necessary that I know your software. Resolve can be downloaded for free here.

  • No, I do not teach you how to use editing software. There are lots of free ways to learn that. I'll certainly cover some video editing tricks, but you should at least know the basics of video editing in whatever software you prefer. If you do not know how to edit, please go to YouTube and do some tutorials for your software.