The Creative Activist Toolkit is a series of PDF booklets designed to help today’s youth impact the world through creativity and social entrepreneurship. Produced by the Global Youth Fund and the Creative Visions Foundation, the toolkit chapters are offered free to download. Email us if you would like to contribute a chapter. This chapter helps young changemakers create a simple that introduces their projects and social innovation to the world.

1. Project
Profiles
Introduce yourself... through video.➠
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

2. ENERGY, SINCERITY,
CLARITY OF VISION,
CREATIVITY...
Dan Eldon (1970-1993)
Creative Activist

3. in partnership with
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

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globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

5. Introduction
Just about everyone citizen organization
has a website. And every website has –
or should have – an About Us section.
is area usually contains some brief
information about what the
organization does, its mission and
vision. I believe all these About Us
sections should be supplemented by
videos that I call “project profiles” –
mini-documentaries that elegantly and
succinctly describe the organization.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

6. Why videos?
People don’t like to read. Sad but true.
On the web, people like to click those
big shiny play buttons.
Pictures, or videos, are worth
thousands of words. A few seconds of
video go a long way to convey what your
project is really about.
is guide shows you how to create a very
simple Project Profile.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

7. Case Study: Dial 1298
One of GOOD Magazine’s many great videos is a profile of a non-
profit ambulance service in India called 1298. Watch this brief video
and make a mental note of its components… not just the visuals but
the points made by the interviewee.
CLICK TO PLAY
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

8. Breaking It Down
ere are only a few ingredients that go to make up this short video
profile. If you made a list as you watched, you should have the following:
1. Music
Use free music to add texture and pacing. Ask musicians you know
to provide you with music, search for “free music” on the web, or use
software that come with or generate music loops. Stay away from
popular copyrighted songs. Not only is it illegal to use them but
they can easily overpower your message.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

9. 2. Video of Environment
Set the scene for us. Where is your project located? Use a few
selective shots to show us the world in which you operate. Is it poor,
polluted, densely populated, urban, rural? Are there famous
landmarks we would recognize. Documentarians call this B-roll.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

10. 3. Map
It also helps to know exactly where in the world you are. If you don’t
have a graphic designer who can create a map for you, the easiest
thing to do is to plot yourself on a google map and create a screen
capture of the image.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

11. 4. Interview
Someone, usually the founder, should speak for the organization.
You only need one interview. In this video, you might notice the
different framing of the person talking. is suggests the producers
changed camera positions and framing throughout the interview,
but it’s still one interview.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

12. 5. Graphics
It’s helpful to highlight key facts and figures with full screen
graphics. e eyes can absorb information even better than the ears.
If there are data that capture the essence of the problem or your
impact, consider using graphics to convey them.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

13. 1 2
3 4
6. Video of Project
You’ll need to shoot some video of your project. What activities are
central to what you do? Capture those activities in complete
“sequences” - in other words, showing beginning, middle and end.
is is called “A-roll.” As you might have guessed, A-roll is more
important than B-roll.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

14. 7. Photos of Project
Sometimes, it’s hard to capture every aspect of your work on video,
especially key events that happened in the past. It’s OK to mix in
photos - still images - with your video. Use zooms or pans to add
sense of motion.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

15. e Interview
Let’s turn our attention now to the interview. You might wonder,
“What should I ask?” e interview with Sweta Mangal, the CEO, is
short and to the point, covering FIVE basic questions. I’ve provided
time codes in case you want to watch again and follow along.
What is the problem? (0:15)
What is the solution? (0:44)
How does it work? (0:59)
How is it unique or different? (1:30)
CLICK IMAGE TO PLAY
What’s the vision for the future? (1:57) VIDEO AGAIN
Your own video should address these five points as well, so the person
you interview should prepare brief answers to the questions above.
Consider changing the framing of the person for each question.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

16. Project Profile Checklist
Print this page out and use it as a checklist when you produce
your own profile video.
Music Interview with founder or director:
Video of environment (B-roll) What is the problem?
Map showing your location What is the solution?
Graphics showing key facts How does it work?
Video of your project How is it unique or different?
Photos of your project What’s the vision for the future?
Feel free to post any questions or feedback on
globalyouth.ning.com.
Good luck!
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

17. Good luck! Share your pitch with us!
Click image to visit our community.
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

18. Check out other chapters...
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

19. project profiles
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20. about the author
Charles Tsai is the founder and Executive Director of Global
Youth Fund and also works for Ashoka’s Youth Venture as
Director of Virtual Program. Previously, he worked at CNN
as a reporter and producer. www.charlestsai.com
creative activist toolkit thanks
The Creative Activist Toolkit is a series of PDF The Creative Visions Foundation
booklets designed to help today’s youth The Vancouver Foundation
impact the world through creativity and social The Steve Nash Foundation
entrepreneurship. Produced by the Global
Youth Fund and the Creative Visions Jon and Amy Eldon Turteltaub, Joanne Marien
Foundation, the toolkit chapters are offered Elaine Munro, Debbie Riopel, Jaspal Lisa Rai
free to download. Email us if you would like Bruce Johnson, Brooke Kuhn, Serge Martin
to contribute a chapter.
Copyright ©2009 Global Youth Fund credits
Feel free to pass this booklet on but you may Amy Eldon Turteltaub Executive Producer
not alter the content or charge for it. You may Charles Tsai Managing Director
quote brief sections if you credit Global Youth
Fund and provide a link to Photos from GOOD Magazine
globalyouth.ning.com and iStockphoto.com
globalyouthfund Creative Activist Toolkit 002

21. Global Youth Fund
550 Pacific Street, Suite 502
Vancouver, BC V6Z 3G2
CANADA
Tel: +1 (604) 628-1807
www.globalyouthfund.org