Did you know that Camp Directors LOVE applicants who have videos on their applications? It's hard to get a judge of personality from a written application so with a video you get to show a camp exactly why they should hire YOU this summer!
Feedback tells us that if a camp is considering two applicants, one with a video and one without, they will go for the applicant with the video. So, don’t be the one missing out on a placement! We know making a video can feel super cheesy, but the camps... well, they like cheesy. They also like fun, confident, bright, and bubbly, because that’s what camp is all about!
So what makes a great video?
- Introduce the video with yourself in front of the camera so the camp can get a feel for yourpersonality.
- Show off your skills! Use video footage or photographs. Make sure the skills are also listed in your application so they match up.
- Jazz it up! – Include some photographs with background music as well as you speaking.
- Keep the sound level consistent so directors don’t have to keep playing with the volume.
- Short and sweet! Try and keep the video no longer than 2-3 minutes.
What to avoid!
- Stating your age. If your birthday happens before camp, it won’t be right!
- Reading your application out. The camps have already read about your skills, your work, and education history. They now want to know you as a person.
- Pausing after every other word to think. This will make for a slow video. Rehearse beforehand!
- (And Miley Cyrus ‘Party in the USA’! Be original with your music choices.)
The technical stuff.
- Keep the video under 50MB in size. (Not sure how to check a file size? Right click on the file icon and go to 'properties'. You're looking for a number in the format 00MB. (If it's a very small file is may be 00KB). If it's more than 200MB, you'll need to resize it!)
- Make sure it's rotated the right way up
- It must be in one of the following formats: .MOV, .WMV, .AVI, .MP4, .FLV, .MPEG, or .MPG
If you're not the world's most techiest person, have someone film you introducing yourself to thecamera. Get creative with the location! As long as you're bright and smiley it's going to look good.
A video instantly increases your placement chances so get those cameras rolling!
TheCamp America Team
