Advice on making videos for fellowships applications

  • Preparing to create your video
    • Carefully read the instructions, especially any production specifications (i.e., landscape vs. portrait) and content guidelines (what does the fellowship specifically want you to address – or leave out?).
    • What is the prompt for the video? What are they asking from you?
      • Think about the narrative that you want to tell in your application as a whole and how to answer the video prompt in a way that aligns/supports/enriches your story.
      • What experiences relate to your larger narrative that might not have come up in the application yet? Just like in your written application, you don’t want to distract your reader with a story/experience that doesn’t relate to the point that you are making.
      • Specific details will make you stand out!
      • Show your personality! Videos give you the chance to incorporate tone, facial expressions, etc. to better convey how creative/serious/engaging you can be. 
      • Is there anything they do not want to hear? For example, the Fulbright-Spain Commission tells semi-finalists for the English teaching assistant grant to not talk about teaching English in Spain.
    • What is the time limit?
    • What format do they want the video to be?
      • For example, the instructions could require that you film yourself talking to a camera for a few minutes.
      • Sometimes, fellowships ask you to film yourself doing a demonstration.
      • Fellowships typically do not want a production. They usually won’t expect you to film on location, shoot multiple scenes, or submit a highly polished, edited video.
    • How will you submit the video? Some awards ask you to upload to their application portal or to a video upload site like YouTube and send a link – some require you to record it on the spot in the portal itself.
    • How many takes do you get? If you are recording on your own, you should also think about how many takes you actually need: too many and it will start to become stilted. 
      • Some fellowships, like the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, only give you three chances to make your video.
    • When is the video due? For some competitions, the turnaround time is very short. 
  • Before recording your video
    • Write an outline of what you plan to say. A word-for-word script that you memorize usually makes for a stiff or awkward video, while an outline can keep you on track but a bit more natural.
    • Time yourself to make sure that you are staying within the time limit
    • Ask a friend, family member, or advisor to give you feedback on your script/outline – or even to watch you rehearse and give you suggestions on your pacing, enunciation, etc. 
  • Technical video production
    • Equipment: use professional equipment if you can for video and audio recording. 
    • Decide where you are going to film.
      • Film where you are comfortable! The best-lit and quietest space won’t help if you are too nervous to speak clearly. 
      • Use a space with good lighting and acoustics. 
      • Use a neutral background so that you are the focal point of the video.
    • Note any special instructions on video production. For example, the Obama Voyager Scholarship tells applicants that the video must be shot horizontally, not vertically.
  • Recording your video
    • Make a “draft” video first. Watch the recording and note any distracting behaviors like rambling, fidgeting, looking away from the camera, filler words.
    • Communicate confidence by sitting up straight (standing can work too!) and keeping the camera at eye level. Smile as appropriate, depending on the topic. 
    • Make eye contact with the camera and try to avoid looking away from the camera.
    • Dress the part. While you don’t need to be in formal wear, a nice outfit indicates that you are serious about this fellowship and your proposed plan. Don’t wear anything distracting. 
    • Avoid using filler words like “um” or “like” (this is where practicing can help!)
    • Think about how you move in the video. Fidgeting or rocking can distract your viewer from what you are saying. Gesturing in a natural way can convey confidence and enthusiasm. 
    • Be yourself and don’t try to create a perfect video. Fellowships want to invest in YOU, so be genuine and concise in your answers.
      • If you make a small mistake, take a breath, correct yourself, and keep going. That mistake will show the reviewer you!
    • Be prepared to do multiple takes, within the limits set by the fellowship.
  • How do I know if I need a video?

    A video might be required in the initial application stage, or at a later part of the competition. Here are some instances we see, but we can help even if your situation is not on this list!

    • The Obama Voyager Scholarship requires applicants to create a 2-minute video in which they describe their path and motivation for public service.
    • The Luce Scholarship requires applicants to create a 1-2 minute video in which they explain something about themselves that Luce would not learn from their application.
    • The Lafayette Fellowship requires applicants to submit their personal statement as a video.
    • Schwarzman Scholars gives applicants the option to submit a 1-minute video introduction.
    • The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship requires semi-finalists to create a 2-minute in which they teach KHS about a topic on their choice.
    • The Fulbright U.S. Student Program sometimes asks semi-finalists to submit a video.
      • Fulbright-Spain gives semi-finalists the option to produce and submit a 1-minute video that tells Fulbright something about the applicant that isn’t in the application.
      • Fulbright-South Korea has recently replaced interviews with requiring semi-finalists to record and submit a 3-minute video in response to a predetermined interview question.
    • If you are applying for a Fulbright-Creative Arts Award to do something related to film, you are required to submit a portfolio of your work.