As technology evolves, people are finding more ways to capture memories and make meaningful experiences. Social media sites like TikTok have been especially influential in revitalizing how people create content, especially for their biggest moments. As an expert service delivering personalized graduation video clips, StageClip always stays on top of the latest trends. Learn more about how commencement clips have evolved and the exciting new trends we’ve seen.
What a Captivating Video of a Graduation Ceremony Can Do
Commencement ceremonies are a chance for grads of any age to celebrate one of the most important achievements in their lives. A well-crafted graduation video has the power to evoke emotions, inspire, and capture the essence of this significant milestone. Additionally, these clips have helped new graduates do the following:
- Preserve Memories – Graduation videos serve as cherished keepsakes that capture a graduate’s joy, pride, and achievements.
- Share the Experience – Sharing graduation videos with family and friends who couldn’t attend the ceremony brings everyone closer together. These videos bridge the distance, enabling loved ones to participate in the celebration even if they’re far away.
- Inspire Future Generations – A compelling graduation video can motivate and inspire future graduates. By showcasing the accomplishments and stories of current graduates, it instills a sense of possibility, encouraging others to pursue their dreams.
Why Commencement Clips Have Evolved
The traditional graduation video has been around for years, but recently, people have taken a different approach. Graduation videos used to only involve capturing the ceremony and very little else. Now, they’ve become a way for graduates to create unique stories to capture their journey and all the hard work that went into their success.
Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube heavily influence how today’s graduates commemorate and share these achievements. With these new tools, the possibilities are endless. From putting together a montage of photos and videos from throughout college to creating a highlight reel of their most significant moments on campus, grads have an easier time crafting a unique experience.
With each graduating class comes a new set of individuals with lots of drive and initiative. As you learn more about the trends captivating them today, read our helpful guide on increasing graduate engagement.
Six Graduation Video Trends Brewing in 2023
In 2023, we’re witnessing many exciting trends in graduation videos. Here are six trends taking the industry by storm.
1. Personalized Themes
Graduates are exploring various themes for their graduation videos, such as editing them into movie trailers, music videos, vlog-style videos, and even mini-documentaries. So even with the traditional commencement schedule and footage, by incorporating personal interests, hobbies, and achievements, these themes add a unique touch to the videos.
2. Emotional Storytelling
Graduation videos are becoming more narrative-driven, telling the story of each graduate’s journey. These videos tug at the heartstrings and leave a lasting impact by showcasing the challenges overcome, the growth experienced, and the triumphs achieved. Many graduation clips include voiceovers, narration, and other elements to emphasize this point.
We think the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga did a great job this year:
3. Social Media Challenges
Inspired by viral challenges on platforms like TikTok, graduates are participating in creative graduation video challenges. These challenges often involve unique dance routines, creative transitions, or clever editing techniques, creating a sense of community and friendly competition.
4. Cinematic Techniques
Increasingly more graduates are employing cinematic techniques like slow-motion shots, aerial footage, and creative editing to elevate the visual appeal of their videos. A cinematic look and feel can easily be implemented by adding text and background music in specific places, like the process of putting on the cap and gown and shaking hands with the provost.
Few universities do this better than Valdosta State University:
5. Interactive Elements
One of the most popular trends we’ve seen this year is incorporating animations or graphics into graduation videos. Whether it’s adding graphics such as school logos or animations of diplomas, this style helps give clips an extra “wow” factor that makes them stand out from other clips shared on social media platforms. It also adds a level of professionalism that goes beyond what can be achieved with just standard photography or videography alone.
Additionally, graduates are adding other interactive elements to their videos, such as quizzes, polls, and clickable links, making the viewing experience engaging and immersive.
6. Collaborative Efforts
Commencement videos are no longer limited to solo performances. Collaborative efforts are increasing, with graduates and multiple campus departments teaming up to create group videos highlighting their shared experiences and bond. This can be a great opportunity for your future alumni class to look back on the ceremony fondly, and it could feature something as simple as short interview clips among friends.
See how the University of Oklahoma used their graduation video to reflect on the complete journey of the class of 2023 from admissions to commencement:
Foster Innovation With High-Quality Graduation Clips
We’ve seen lots of trends, and we expect many of them to pop up in the next few years as well. As a leading provider of personalized graduation clips, we do the work so your graduates don’t have to. Your school will profit from the boost in engagement from your alumni, and your students will love reliving their proudest moments and easily share them with loved ones. It’s a win-win!
Want to learn more about our services? Give your students the gift they deserve and partner with StageClip today.
