Curriculum
1. Introduction π
Welcome to Launch Backstage
Follow the course as organized in the curriculum to setup and soon you will be launching Backstage in your organisation
1.1. Why Backstage π₯
- A phone or a camera
- A tripod or a table
- A video editing software
- A green screen (optional)
1.2. Mindset π§
- Get it done, not perfect
- Creativity happens randomly
- The more you create, the easier it gets
1.3. Viral video structure π
- Wow! effect (2 to 5 seconds) to hook the viewer
- Storyline (30 seconds to 1 minute) to keep the viewer engaged
- Call to action to convert
2. The movie π¬
Let's find a movie you can use to promote your startup.
2.1. Find the movie π
- What's special about your product? The answer helps you find a relevant movie.
- Only pick super popular movies
- Avoid movies before the 90s
2.2. Choose the best scene πΏ
- Search for the best scenes of the movie
- Prioritize dialogue scenes with 1+ famous actors
- Famous actor should say/do something fun/odd/interesting
- Chronological order is not important
- Select only 1 scene in the movie
- Change movie if you can't find a good scene
2.3. Avoid traps π«
- Old movies
- Actors not famous
- Actors overlapping each other
- Camera shaking (not fixed)
- Night scenes
- Window, mirror, or glass scenes
- Unconventional actor positions (upside down, lying down, etc.)
3. The script π
Let's write a catchy and promotional script for your video.
- 4 to 12 dialogues
- 30 to 60 seconds
- Tell one of the 7 stories
3.1. Find the wow! effect π€―
- Hook the viewer in the first 3 seconds
- Embed yourself in a unique scene of the movie with the famous actor
3.2. Write the storyline with AI π€
Create a GPT Assistant using any model. Copy paste the following instructions and replace the content inside the [square brackets].
You are an excellent scriptwriter for movies. We are making a mini-movie (skit) to introduce [STARTUP NAME], [STARTUP PURPOSE] PLOT LINE: [Write everything you have about the video so far. Give the assistant every detail: dialogues, scene descriptions, etc. First, describe the scenes from the movie you picked. For instance: βMatt raises his handβ, βBianca says Hello!β. Explain to your assistant these scenes are random and unorganised and we need to fill in the blanks β like a puzzle. Then ask the assistant to write one or more scripts for the skit. When you like a line, a dialogue or anything written by the assistant, update this section. Step by step, the plot line will fill itself. Refine until the script is done.] STYLE: - The skit is about [TIME] long. - The video's tone is [TONE]. - Dialogues are short and easy to understand. - [ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT: βin the style of Matthew McConaughey in Wolf Of Wall Streetβ]
Then run the assistant with simple commands:
Write the script for the skit
Make 5 variations for the script for the skit
Use the generated script(s) to feed the plot line in the assistant's instructions. Refine until you are satisfied with the script.
- Use OpenAI Assistants to write all the script
- Give the assistant all the pieces of information available: what happens in the movie clips, what you want to say, and current storyline.
- Give the assistant instructions: tone, story type, length of the script, etc.
- Use the generated script as a base to refine the assistant, like a puzzle.
- Repeat until you're satisfied with the script.
3.3. Advertise your product π£
- Convert the attention of the viewer into a call to action
- It can be a simple text, a voice-over, or a video overlay
4. The shooting π₯
It's Hollywood time! Let's prepare your video clips to embed yourself in the movie.
4.1. Checklist π
- Prepare all your equipment (camera, mic, green screen, tripod, etc.)
- Prepare props (chair, glasses, etc.)
- Turn off AC or noisy items
- Close doors, pull curtains if too sunny
- Dress simply, use unicolor clothes with minimal shapes (especially if don't have a green screen)
- Match the light as in the movie β watch the movie and see if the light comes from the left or right
- Speak loud
- Use landscape mode because movies are landscape mode (we can scale later for TikTok)
4.2. Use a green screen π©
- I recommend using a green screen β cheap and easy
- Alternative: Unicolor wall with no texture and contrasting colors
- Alternative: Instagram green filter
- Alternative: Green image on your phone β full breakdown
4.3. Set up your camera π·
- Match camera angles: imagine how they set it up when recording
- Match light with the one in your room
- Match the eyesight level
4.4. Hollywood time! π¬
- Repeat the entire script for every camera angle
- Keep the camera ON and add a few seconds between each scene
- Behave as if there was the actor in front of you, even if you're not talking
- Don't look at the camera, look at the imaginary actor
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes, you can erase them later
- When you're done with 1 camera angle, turn OFF the camera and change angle
5. The editing ποΈ
We're almost done! Use a video editor to embed yourself in the movie.
5.1. Extract movie clips ποΈ
- Find the movie in good quality (at least 720p)
- Download Blackhole to extract the audio
- Record your screen with the sound output in Blackhole
5.2. Create fake backgrounds π¨
- Use free AI tools like SnapEdit to remove objects from a movie screenshot
- Use Figma to extract objects from a movie screenshot
5.3. Embed yourself πͺ
- Extract the green screen with a keyer effect
- Level your voice with the movie audio
- Adjust saturation & brightness to match the movie colors
- Scale, crop, skew, and rotate your video
- Add fake backgrounds and props
5.4. Add special effects π
- #1 Movie static background + You
- #2 Movie static background + You + Props
- #3 Movie video background + You (+ Props)
- #4 You + Movie embed
5.5. Create the video π€
- Alternate between your scenes and the movie scenes
- Cut when too slow
- Change camera angle from time to time
- Detach audio to overlap scenes
- Add visual and sound effects to make it real
- Polish the 3-second introduction β cut until too short
- Fasten your clip by up to 10% if too slow
- Plug your ad at the end, not too long with a clear call to action
- Ask a friend to watch it and make tiny edits
5.6. Add subtitles π€
- Do it only when you're done with the video
- Use an AI tool (paid) or do it manually (free)
- Don't add unnecessary subtitles (like 'laughing' or 'hmm')
- Subtitles should be short, max 1 sentence, in 1 line
- Add drop shadow for contrast if needed
6. Go viral! π
You're done! Now, it's time to launch your video, go viral, and grow your startup.
- Export in good quality (1920x1080)
- Make a tweet with the video and link to your startup launch
- Send me feedback β€οΈ
7. Video breakdown π§βπ«
Here's a breakdown of videos I've made, so you can get inspired.
7.1. LogoFast (Beginner)
7.2. ByeDispute (Advanced)
7.3. HeroFit (Alternative)
8. Inspiration π‘
A list of unique marketing videos to spark your creativity