Checklist for making a My QP video for Power & Politics

Here are some tips for creating your video for CBC News Network's Power & Politics' My QP.

Format

• The video should be no longer than 45 seconds — that means you don't have very long to talk.
• In about 30-40 seconds you need to tell us who you are, where you are from, and what issue you are concerned about.
• Leave yourself 5-10 seconds to ask your question to government, industry or the decision-maker who you want answers from. Make sure you end your film on your question.
• It's best to write down a few bullet points so that you have a clear idea of what you want to say, it helps to organize your thoughts, but do not read the bullet points. Look straight into the camera when you talk.

How to Film

• Make sure the location isn't too noisy — avoid loud traffic, babies crying, noisy animals.
• Make sure the background isn't too bright so we can see your face clearly (if you are outside, it's best to shoot when it's slightly overcast — bright sunlight can be harsh or make you squint).
• Look straight into the camera.
• When you are holding your smartphone, hold it with the longest side parallel to the ground (landscape position, not portrait). If you have an iPhone, make sure the red recording button is on the right side with the other buttons on the left. Otherwise your video will be upside down when we show it on TV.
• Make sure the camera isn't too close to your face — we want to see your whole head and shoulders.
• Holding the camera at arm's length is good, but that can make your arm shake. You need to keep as stable as possible when you film. It's OK to ask someone else to film you!
• If someone else films you, make sure they aren't too far away, so that we can still hear your question.
• Don't walk and film, it makes the video too shaky.
• Start recording, then wait for about 4 to 5 seconds before starting to talk — do the same at the end of your video before stopping recording.
• Once you've filmed your video, please try filming footage of life around you for us to edit in later — it helps the audience see what you're talking about.

How to Send Your Video

• Download your video to your computer and then submit it by dragging and dropping it on the Upload Now! button on this page: cbc.ca/myqp
• Make sure to include your email address and telephone number when you upload so that a producer can call you if we select your film to run on the our show.

Want to see what we mean? Watch these sample videos submitted by Canadians:

• Why do epileptic children have to smoke their medical marijuana? Watch the video
• Why can't small-scale farmers sell their eggs at farmers' markets? Watch the video
• Are temporary foreign workers being hired before unionized workers? Watch the video