Preparing 3 Minute Thesis Pitch Videos: Everything You Need to Know

Frequently referred to as the 3MT, a 3 minute thesis pitch represents a unique undergraduate competition that is frequently engaged between upper level or higher degree research candidates that are seeking an opportunity to showcase their research projects. Early 3MTs were ran on PowerPoint and included in-person presentations in which contestants would compete against one another for a chance to present their research to some of the top Universities and Colleges around the world, in front of some of the world’s largest and most renowned brands or businesses, and in front of others that were widely respected for their roles in medical, biological, sociological or other major forms of productive research.

The three minute thesis pitch has become a world renowned means of pitching exciting research to academic professionals and others at Colleges and Universities worldwide. But the days of presenting a PowerPoint pitch are gone! Today’s 3 minute thesis pitch videos are just that – they’re video! They’re interactive, engaging, audience entertaining, and most important all digital! 

So what goes into learning how to present your thesis in 3 minutes? A whole lot of effort, and now some heavy focus on video production! Preparing 3 minute thesis pitch videos that are going to deliver everything you need to know without crossing the line into presenting in such a way that undermines competition rules or otherwise undervalues your research or those you’re presenting it to can be particularly challenging. 

Many researchers that make it this far in the presentation process choose to hire the support of a professional film crew to ensure their success! That’s where Beverly Boy Productions come into play! We’ll help you produce a professional video that presents your 3 minute thesis pitch. Videos like this require your personal presentation and input as well as a strong commitment to your pitch but each project is uniquely different and has different rules or regulations.

Before you get started, make sure that you have read the rules of your three minute thesis pitch videos upfront and that you’ve done so carefully. Many universities do not allow video as part of the 3 minute pitch! Make sure that you’re not opting to create 3 minute thesis pitch videos in a situation where this form of content is not acceptable or allowed.  As long as it is allowed, you can move onto the preparation part!

Step 1:  Determine Rules for your 3MT Pitch Videos

The rules will vary from one University or College to another, so before you decide to produce your 3MT pitch videos it is absolutely vital for you to establish a keen understanding of the rules involved. Make sure that you are allowed to use video for your pitch and find out what type of video you are allowed to incorporate into your presentation. Some of the considerations include:

• Will video need to be filmed horizontally?
• Will video require a plain background or could animations be used?
• Does the presentation have to be from a static position or a single camera angle?
• Any other rules or regulations required?

Most of the time, your audio will need to be continuous without any breaks for sound or pause to ensure you’ve met the 3 minute thesis pitch requirement. Keep this in mind as you create your audio file.

Step 2:  Prepare a Winning Presentation

Because 3 minute thesis pitch videos are almost always very simple and do not include any major animations or special effects, preparing your presentation can be both easy and challenging. You’ll likely face challenges associated with the fact that you can’t be as creative as you might like with the film production but you’ll probably find the simplicity of it all rather welcoming, too.

The judges are going to be on the lookout for a few major components of your thesis pitch:

• Does your pitch provide comprehensive support to the audience so that they walk away with an understanding of the research that you provided.
• Did you address enough background data to lead up to the research or thesis pitch? What is it that makes your research significant?
• Does the presentation have a clear and concise sequence?

Of course there will also be the need to present in a way that is engaging, leaves the audience feeling excited about what you share, and keeps audience attention for the duration of the 3 minute thesis presentation. Keep this in mind as you write your script.

Step 3:  Practice Practice Practice

Once you’ve got your details prepared, it’s time to practice your 3 minute thesis pitch several times to ensure you’re prepared to deliver It and that you’re condiment in answering any questions that might come up post-video presentation should your audience ask.

There’s really a lot that will go into preparing 3 minute thesis pitch videos that will gain the attention of your audience, keep them engaged with your research and leave them feeling interested in what they learned. It’s up to you to meet all of these needs with the pitch videos that you create!