NanoFlick — Shot-by-Shot Video Guide
Surprise Birthday Party
Use this guide to quickly create a video for TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, etc.
🫢About This Video Story
Quick video of the preparation, the surprise and the party. Great for sharing back with the honoree and attendees
How to Make a Great Video
Shoot each of the shots and keep the duration to the bare minimum. We've included instructions for each shot to create a short, fast-moving video your friends and followers will love. When you're finished shooting, just combine all the shots and you're done.
Find this template in the free NanoFlick app.
Video Shot List
ShotDescriptionLength
1
Exterior
00:02Briefly shoot the outside of the house or party location
2
Preparation - Decorations
00:03Show people preparing the venue - decorations
3
Preparation - Food & Drink
00:03Show people preparing the food & drink. If they're nicely presented, show the spread as well as the bar lineup.
4
Guests Arriving - Shot 1
00:04These next few shots are of different guests arriving and chatting before the honoree arrives.
5
Guests Arriving - Shot 2
00:04Another shot of guests arriving and chatting.
6
Guests Arriving - Shot 3
00:06Another shot of guests mingling. Have someone describe the plan of how the honoree will be surprised/tricked.
7
Just Before "Surprise"
00:04Right before the honoree arrives, show everyone getting in position, scurrying about, hiding, etc.
8
Surprise!
00:12Shoot the moment the honoree enters and is surprised. Continue shooting to get their reaction and the reaction of others. You can trim the beginning & end of the shot later if it gets too long.
9
Socializing Shot 1
00:04The next few shots are of guests chatting and enjoying the party
10
Socializing Shot 2
00:04Another shot of guests enjoying the party
11
Toast Or Roast
00:08Show any toast or roast from the host or others celebrating (or mocking) the honoree. You don't have to record the whole thing (or if you do, you can trim the shot later).
12
Honoree's Response
00:08Show the honoree responding to the toast or the event in general.
13
Singing Happy Birthday
00:10If it's sung, just include the ending part: "Happy birthday dear _____, Happy birthday to you." Pan around to get the full scene.
14
Eating Cake
00:04Shoot a final shot of everyone enjoying cake & company. End with someone just smiling at the camera.
Top Video Tips
Keep it short...
...then cut it even shorter. Usually under 90 seconds for a serious video; under 30 for a fun one.
Keep it moving
Make sure each shot has a point...and get to it fast! No fluff or filler.
Tell a story
Stories need structure. Make sure you've got a beginning, middle and end.
Know the audience
Family will watch a 2:00 video. Everyone else gets bored after 45 seconds.
Focus on people
Go easy on transitions, filters, etc. The best content is people relating.
Time passages
Use transitions like Dissolve or Dip-to-Black to indicate passage of time
Multiple angles
Using multiple short shots with different angles is better than one longer shot.
Start wide...
...then move closer on subsequent shot for the scene.
Video Timeline
Timeline
This story template (and hundreds more) is built into the free NanoFlick iOS app. Download now for the fastest, easiest way to get this done. It'll coach you through every shot and automatically assemble your video for instant sharing — no editing required.
