Outline Pitch and Technical Videos

You are getting so close to the finish line! You’ve developed your app idea, maybe built a prototype or even the app itself, planned your business strategy… Now it’s time to prepare how you will showcase all your incredible work in two very important videos for your Technovation submission: the Pitch Video and the ICT Club Competition Video.

Like building your app, making good videos requires planning! This phase is called Pre-production, and it happens before you hit the record button. Getting this planning right will make filming much easier and your final videos much stronger.

Lesson Topic: Outline, Pitch and Technical Videos

Section 1: Two Videos, Two Goals (Pitch vs. Technical)

You need to create two short videos, each with a maximum length of 3 minutes. They have different purposes:

1. The Pitch Video:
   • Goal: To persuade and excite the judges (and anyone watching!) about your project idea. You need to convince them that the problem you’re solving is important and that your solution is innovative and impactful.
   • Focus: The WHY (problem importance, your passion, SDG link), the WHAT (your solution and its unique value), and the IMPACT (positive change, ethics). Think of it like telling a compelling story to get people interested and supportive.
2. The Technical Video:
   • Goal: To demonstrate that your app works and to showcase your technical skills and learning process.
   • Focus: The HOW – how the app functions (live demo!), how you built it (show some code or AI training!), how you used user feedback to improve it, and how you plan to develop it further. Think of it like proving your technical capability and thoughtful development process.

Section 2: Planning Your Pitch Video (The “Why” Story)

Your 3-minute pitch needs to cover several key points. Think about answering these questions clearly and concisely:

• Problem: What problem are you solving? Why does it matter deeply to you, your team, or your community here in Uganda?
• SDGs: How does this problem relate to the UN Sustainable Development Goals? (Pick the most relevant goal(s)).
• Solution: How does your app specifically solve this problem?
• Why Tech?: Why is a mobile/web app the best way to address this issue?
• Competition: Are there similar solutions? Why is yours different or better? (Your Unique Value Proposition).
• Ethics/Impact: How did you ensure your app has a positive impact and avoids harm for all stakeholders?

Suggested Timeline (Adapt as needed):

• Hook (10s): Start strong! A surprising fact, a powerful question, a quick personal story, or clearly state the problem & solution. Grab attention immediately!
• Problem Intro (30s): Clearly state the problem and why it’s important.
• Problem In-depth & SDGs (1m): Share key research findings about the problem’s scale or impact. Connect it to relevant SDG(s).
• Solution & Competition (40s): Explain how your app works (briefly!) and why it’s a better approach than existing solutions.
• Positive Impact (20s): Briefly mention your ethical considerations (fairness, privacy, etc.).
• Wrap-up (20s): Quickly summarize the problem, your solution, and leave a lasting impression of your project’s potential.

Get Inspired: Watch the example pitch videos linked in the lesson (TAI, TECO, CHHANGE). Ask yourselves: What made them engaging? Did they tell a good story? How did they use visuals? Learn from them, but tell your own authentic story.

Section 3: Planning Your Technical Video (The “How” Demo)

Your 3-minute technical video needs to show the judges your technical work:

• App & Functionality: What does your app do? Show the key working features (MVP!).
• User Testing & Feedback: How did you test your app (even prototypes) with users? What feedback did you receive? How did you use that feedback to make changes or improvements?
• Building Process (Code/AI): This is crucial! Show how you built it. Explain a significant or interesting part of your code (specific blocks in Thunkable/App Inventor). If you used AI, show your dataset, the training process (e.g., in Teachable Machine), and how the model works in the app. Prove you understand the technology!
• Future Plans: What features aren’t working yet? What are your plans for future development and improvements?

Suggested Timeline (Adapt as needed):

• Introduction (15s): Briefly state the app’s name and purpose.
• How it Works (Demo) (45s): Show a clear screen recording or live demo of the main features functioning.
• How You Built It (Code/AI Explanation) (1m): Switch to showing your blocks/code/training platform. Explain a key part clearly and concisely. Don’t try to explain everything! Pick one important or complex part.
• Feedback (User Testing) (30s): Briefly explain your testing process and show how specific feedback led to a change in your app.
• The Future (Next Steps) (30s): Mention what’s next – bugs to fix, features to add.

Get Inspired: Watch the example technical videos (ECHO, DYNASTATS TRACKER, ABOAT TIME). Ask: Was the demo clear? Did you understand their code explanation? Did they show evidence of testing?

Section 4: Step 1 – The Outline (Using the Judging Rubric!)

Before scripting, create an Outline for each video. This is a list of the key points you need to cover.

• Use the Official Technovation Judging Rubric! This is your most important guide. Look at what the judges will be scoring for the Pitch Video and the Technical Video. Your outline should list points that directly address each rubric item.
• Activity 1 & 2 Guidance: Use the worksheets provided (or just a notebook) to create separate outlines for the Pitch and Technical videos. For each rubric point/question, write down your answer or key message. Also, note down any supporting materials you might want to show visually (e.g., “Show screenshot of survey results,” “Show map component blocks,” “Show photo of community testing”). Pull information from all your previous work!

Section 5: Step 2 – The Storyboard (Visual Plan)

A Storyboard helps you plan the visual flow of your video, shot by shot. It looks like a comic strip.

• Why: Helps you visualize the sequence, plan camera angles or screen recordings, ensures smooth transitions, and gets the whole team on the same page visually.
• How: Use the worksheet or plain paper divided into boxes. In each box, draw a simple sketch (stick figures are perfect!) representing what will be on screen (a team member talking, an app screen recording, a graphic). Below each box, write a short note describing the action or visual.
• Activity 3 Guidance: Create separate storyboards for the Pitch and Technical videos, following the sequence you planned in your outlines. Don’t worry about artistic talent – focus on clear communication of the visual plan.

Section 6: Step 3 – The Script (Writing the Words)

The Script contains the exact words that will be spoken in your video (narration or team members speaking).

• How: Use your Outline and Storyboard as guides. Write out the narration or dialogue for each scene/shot. Make sure you cover all the essential points from your outline clearly and engagingly. Read it aloud to check the timing – does it fit within 3 minutes? Edit ruthlessly to remove unnecessary words! Ensure the language is clear and easy to understand.
• Activity 4 Guidance: Write separate, complete scripts for both the Pitch and Technical videos. Practice reading them!

Section 7: Get Feedback (Crucial Step!)

Before you start filming, share your Outlines, Storyboards, AND Scripts with your mentor(s), teachers, or other trusted advisors. Ask them:

• Does this plan cover all the requirements?
• Is the message clear and compelling?
• Does the story flow logically?
• Is it realistic to film this within 3 minutes?
• Are there any confusing parts?

Be open to their suggestions and revise your plans to make them even stronger!

Section 8: Ready for Production! (Reflection)

Yes, planning takes time! But doing this pre-production work (Outlines, Storyboards, Scripts) will make the actual recording (production) much, much easier and result in far better, more organized videos. You’ll know exactly what to film, what to say, and how it all fits together.

Final Check: Do your script and storyboard match your outline and cover all the judging rubric points? Keep these documents! They are your blueprint for filming day.

Section 9: Quick Review (Key Terms)

• Pre-production: Planning phase before recording (outlining, storyboarding, scripting).
• Pitch Video: Persuades viewers about your project’s value and impact (Max 3 min).
• Technical Video: Demonstrates app function and your technical process (Max 3 min).
• Outline: List of key points to cover, based on the rubric.
• Storyboard: Visual plan of the video, shot by shot.
• Script: The exact words to be spoken in the video.

Section 10: More Resources

Check out the links in the lesson for more tips on crafting great pitches and insights from past Technovation participants!

Conclusion

Planning your videos thoroughly is essential for making a strong impression in your Technovation submission. By creating clear outlines, storyboards, and scripts, you set yourselves up for a smooth recording process and compelling final videos that showcase all your hard work and passion. Complete these planning activities carefully! Muli Bakugu! (You are skilled/talented!)

PREPRODUCTION

The pre-production phase of the video making are the parts you need to plan before you start to record.

You will have 3 minutes to make a case for your project in your pitch video and 3 minutes to demonstrate the technical aspects of your app in your technical video. Don’t be afraid to show your personality and passion for the problem you are solving!

Let’s first go over what should be included in each of your videos for Technovation Girls.

The Pitch Video

Goal: Convince viewers about your project ideas. You will do so by answering the following questions: 

• What problem are you solving and why is it important to you and the community? 
• How does your problem relate to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals? 
• How does your app solve the problem? 
• Why is this technology  the best way to solve the problem?  
• Are there any similar solutions that already exist? Why is your solution better?
• How did our team ensure our app has only positive impact on direct and indirect users?

TIMELINE FOR PITCH

Below is a suggested timeline for the 3 minute pitch video.

10 seconds

The Hook

Grab your audience’s attention! Start with a fun fact, a surprise, or just immediately state your problem and solution!

30 seconds

Introduce the Problem

Clearly state the problem you are solving and explain why it matters to your team.

1 minute

Problem In-depth

Talk about research you did on the problem you are solving. Relate it to the UN SDGs.

40 seconds

Technology

Explain why the technology (mobile or web app) is the best solution. Show how your solution solves the problem and is the best solution compared to others.

20 seconds

Positive Impact

Explain how you are ensuring only positive impact for all stakeholders with your solution.

20 seconds

Wrapup

Conclude your video with a quick summary. Remind the viewer why your project is the best solution to the problem.

INSPIRATION

Below are pitch videos from past Technovation seasons that can help you get started.

As you watch them, think about what you like and how you’d incorporate that into your pitch video. 

Consider the following questions: 

• What makes their pitch stand out? Is there a personal story that explains why they care about the problem? 
• Do they use visuals? Are they well used?
• Is their problem statement and explanation of the technology solution strong? Is it clear?
• Do you understand how the app functions?
• Do the future plans for their idea make you excited about its impact on the world?
• Was their video easy to understand and clearly organized? Why? 

Click each app name to view the video. 

Note: Some of the requirements and video lengths may be different in other Technovation seasons.

TAI

TECO

CHHANGE

Teaches young people about puberty.

The Technical Video

Goal: Show how you built your app and how it works. You will do so by answering the following questions. 

• What app have you built? What parts work successfully so far?
• How did you test your app with users? What was the feedback? How did feedbacj affect the app featuers? 
• What coding and/or machine learning training did you do to make the app? Can you explain some significant part of your code and how it works? 
• What doesn’t work yet? What future app features do you hope to build?

TIMELINE FOR TECHNICAL VIDEO

Below is a suggested timeline for the 3 minute technical video.

15 seconds

Introduction

Briefly introduce your app and explain how it solves the problem.

45 seconds

How it Works

Demonstrate your app in action. Show how the key features of the app work.

1 minute

How You Built It

Convince the viewer you know your technology! Explain how you built your app by explaining some key code from your app  how the code works. If you included AI, you can show your dataset and how your trained your machine learning model.

30 seconds

Feedback

Explain how you got people to test your app, what feedback you got, and how you incorporated the feedback into the app.

30 seconds

The Future

Explain what doesn’t work yet and what plans you have in store to improve your project. What features do you hope to add?

INSPIRATION

Below are technical videos from past Technovation seasons that can help you get started.

As you watch them, think about what you like and how you’d incorporate that into your technical video. 

Consider the following questions: 

• Do you understand how the app works? 
• Do you understand the steps taken to code the project? 
• If machine learning was included, do you understand how they trained their model? 
• Did you see evidence of user testing and feedback?
• Do the future plans for their idea make you excited about its impact on the world? 
• Was their video easy to understand and clearly organized? Why?

Click each app name to view the video. 

Note: Some of the requirements and video lengths may be different in other Technovation seasons.

ECHO

DYNASTATS TRACKER

ABOAT TIME

Raises eco-awareness through user challenges

CREATING THE OUTLINE

The outline is where you start making a list of all the points you need to address in the video.

Use the judging rubric to create a list of questions you will answer in the video. 

Click each box below to see an example outline question, possible answer, along with supporting materials. 

ACTIVITY 1: OUTLINE PITCH VIDEO

Estimated time: 30 minutes

Use the worksheet to organize your video

1. Address each part of the judging rubric by answering each question.
2. Refer to past lessons and identify materials you can use for the video.

Note you can make a copy of the worksheet and edit as needed.

ACTIVITY 2: OUTLINE TECHNICAL VIDEO

Estimated time: 30 minutes

Use the worksheet to organize your video

1. Address each part of the judging rubric by answering each question.
2. Refer to past lessons and identify materials you can use for the video.

Note you can make a copy of the worksheet and edit as needed.

STORYBOARDS & SCRIPTS

Now that you have your outline, you can create your script and storyboard.

These two elements are very important in the preparation or pre-production phase of your video making.

They both help to clearly convey important information and ideas to everyone (including yourself!) involved in the filming process. You can create the script or storyboard in any order you wish, but it’s helpful to do both! 

The Storyboard

The storyboard is the visual method of organizing your video creation thoughts.

It looks similar to a comic book. You also don’t have to be an artist to make a storyboard though!

Creating a storyboard isn’t about drawing really well, it’s just for you to get your thoughts down visually to lay out the flow of the video. 

The Script

The script is where you write out exactly what will be said in the video. If you have already created your storyboard, then you should work from that to fill in the words that will be spoken during each scene, or box, in the storyboard. 

If you prefer to start with the script, use your outline as a starting point.

Make sure to cover everything you wrote down in the outline. However, don’t just restate everything in the outline! Make it compelling! How can you hook your audience to make them want to listen to your message?

PARTS OF THE SCRIPT

PLACE-TIME:

This is where the action on the screen happens. Describe what happens on screen and any important movement that should be noted.

CHARACTER NAME:

This is the dialogue or exact words that the character would say. 

TRANSITION

See script example

ACTIVITY 3: STORYBOARD YOUR VIDEOS

Estimated time: 30 minutes

Use the worksheet to organize your videos visually

1. Tell the story of each video by drawing each part of the video (stick figures work!).
2. Under each picture, describe what happens in that scene.
3. Use multiple pieces of paper if necessary.
4. Do a separate storyboard for the pitch and technical videos.

You can also use an online storyboard platform if you prefer.

Note you can make a copy of the worksheet and edit as needed.

Open worksheet

ACTIVITY 4: WRITE YOUR VIDEO SCRIPTS

Estimated time: 30 minutes

Write the dialogue for your videos

1. Check your outlines to make sure you cover all points in your videos.
2. If you have made your storyboards, use them to guide your scripts.
3. Do a separate script for the pitch and technical videos.

GET FEEDBACK

As always, ask a mentor, a parent, or a friend to give you feedback on your outlines, scripts, and storyboards.

Remove anything that is unnecessary or extra.

Be sure to ask these questions for each video: 

• Does it make sense?
• How does it flow?
• Is the core story being delivered?
• Are we telling the story and the main messages in the best way possible?

REFLECTION

You have created outlines, storyboards, and scripts for your pitch and technical videos!

That’s a lot! But it pays to be prepared when you start recording your videos. 

Make one final check that you have covered all the necessary parts in your video.

Hold onto the documents you created in this lesson. You will use them when you record your video .

REVIEW OF KEY TERMS

• Pre-production – planning elements of a video before starting to record 
• Pitch video –  its purpose is to get people excited about your idea, by explaining the problem, showing your solution, and taking viewers through the process of your entire project 
• Technical video – its purpose is to show off your technical skills by showing how your product works, and how you built it 
• Storyboard – a visual outline of your video that helps you design a compelling story about your idea 
• Script – the written words that will be spoken during a video

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Here are some of our favorite resources for how to craft a great pitch:

• Indiegogo: Pitching Your Passion
• How to Give the Perfect Elevator Pitch – Bplans Explains Everything

Check out some tips from past Technovation participants below on creating your pitch.

Zinab Ramlawi – Past Technovation Student Ambassador

Video Diaries – Technovation Girls talk about making their pitch videos