TOP TIP
For school trip fundraising, include footage from previous similar trips to show the educational value, and have students explain what they hope to learn from the
experience. Watch an example at
tinyurl.com/yx9sxfub
Step 3: Create quality video with your phone Phone set-up and technical tips ● Set your phone to record at the highest quality (4K at 30fps or at least 1080p HD) ● Film in landscape mode for most applications (unless fi lming specifi cally for social media) ● Clean your lens before fi lming (a standard glasses cleaning cloth is ideal for this task) ● Turn on airplane mode to avoid interruptions ● Use grid lines to help with framing (Google how to add these on your phone’s model). Lighting and audio ● Use natural light whenever possible – fi lm near windows or outdoors ● Avoid harsh overhead lighting that creates unfl attering shadows ● Stay away from noisy areas – poor audio can ruin otherwise great footage ● Get as close as possible to your subject for better sound ● If possible, use an inexpensive external microphone (some are available for under £20). Framing and stability ● Avoid cluttered or distracting backgrounds ● Hold your phone steady or use a simple tripod (phone tripods are available for under £15) ● Frame people slightly off-centre for more interesting composition ● Film at the eye level of your subjects – get down to child height when fi lming pupils
● Avoid using digital zoom as it reduces quality – move physically closer instead. Interview techniques ● Stay natural: Treat it as a chat rather than a formal interview ● Use open questions: Ask: ‘How does this project help you learn?’ rather than: ‘Do you like this project?’ ● Follow up: Listen carefully and ask follow-up questions based on the responses ● Include detail: Ask interviewees to repeat the question in their answer for context ● Record twice: If time allows, fi lm the same interview twice for more editing options.
TOP TIP When fi lming pupils for building repair or facility improvement fundraising, capture footage of them using the current spaces naturally, rather than asking them to exaggerate any problems.
written permission for every child who appears. Co-create where possible by involving pupils and teachers in planning what to fi lm. Maintain transparency by being clear about how and where the video will be used. Let participants see the fi nal video before submission. Protect privacy by being aware of any safeguarding concerns in your school community.
Step 5: Putting it all together Once you’ve collected your footage, keep it concise – aim for a video length of three minutes at most. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect, as long as it conveys your message clearly. Add subtitles to ensure accessibility for all viewers. Think about how you can repurpose your video for future projects, making it more versatile and valuable. After a successful fundraising
campaign, create a follow-up video showing how the funds were used and the impact they made. This accountability helps build trust with funders for future applications.
● Emma Bracegirdle is founder of The Saltways, which helps charities create powerful stories through fi lm and animation.
thesaltways.com
Step 4: Ethical considerations for school videos
Always maintain high ethical
standards when fi lming in schools. Obtain proper consent by ensuring parents/guardians have given
PRO TIP While fi lming for your application, also record a brief ‘thank you’ that you can send if your application is successful – funders love to see the excitement when you share good news!
School Fundraising AUTUMN 2025 41
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