Creating Pageant Introduction Videos

There’s a lot that goes into preparing for a pageant. But some pageants require a contestant introduction video. 

This was very popular during WME IMG Miss Universe / Miss USA era, where we saw contestants share their story while they were being announced into the top 15. Personally, I loved it and would love if all pageants or contestants could encourage it so we can learn more about each girl and their journey. Those are some of my favorite aspects of a pageant! 

I am competing in Vietnam next week at Miss Fitness Supermodel World and representing the USA thanks to the Nation of States pageant system. One of the requirements was an introduction video. I didn’t have the time to hire a videographer but was able to put something together with the tools I have thanks to my marketing work (you can see on Digit-Eli).

What to say in Pageant Introduction Videos

Pageant introduction videos require you to follow a guide of things to discuss. In my case, I needed to share the culture, tourism, and sports of my country along with who I am in under 3 minutes. I went through some facts about the USA (4th largest country, 1st largest economy) and tied in my personal experiences (similar to how you would in any pageant question!)

Pageants are also an excellent marketing tool to showcase everything you are trying to share with the world. As I am working in my “entrepreneur era,” I knew it was a great opportunity to showcase my new business Lashes and Sashes. I screen recorded my website so viewers can really see what it is about. Pageant videos are your time to share whatever you want people to know. And win or lose, that additional level of publicity is completely worth sharing! Take advantage of the opportunity to build upon your long term goals that your pageant will be the launch pad for. 

How to Create Pageant Introduction Videos

With my video, I used my iPhone to film, with a phone stand and white drape on a garment rack (which is also my self tape backdrop). The video was edited on Adobe Premiere Rush because I was literally in a rush to edit it. I also did some B-roll footage with my pageant sister Valentina. We went to LadyCode’s makeup masterclass which was luckily across the street from the beach, so I could add some clips of me walking around. If you need to make your own video, some good B-roll could include placing the crown on your head, hugging kids with your crown and sash, you in your career or hobby space. If I had a better set up, I’d probably do B-roll of me typing on a computer “creating a website” or in a studio modeling. It’s important to note that B-roll should be recorded in landscape mode. Many of us record videos in portrait thanks to TikTok and Instagram, but these intros are for YouTube and in projections or on TV. 

Which leads to my next point on phone recordings. I did use portrait mode videos for my personal physical activities (circuit training and line dancing) but placed two side-by-side so there wasn’t so much negative space. I could have blurred it out like they do on the news, but I liked being able to show different ways I exercised or danced within the few seconds I mentioned them.

For photos that did not fit the landscape frame, I added a black background behind it so it wasn’t distracting. I added some transitions so it could feel more professional.

Adobe Premiere Rush was great for creating text, graphics, background music, and the end credits. Pageant girls, I recommend listing all your links and sponsors in the end credits especially if you can’t talk about them in your video. Again, for a business to sponsor you, it’s your opportunity in return to promote them through whichever channel that makes sense, including the intro video!

If you’re uploading the video on YouTube, try to add a thumbnail if you can (the cover photo of your video) I didn’t have time to create one on Canva or PhotoShop, so i screenshotted the video from my phone that added text through the iPhone’s photo editing “Markup” feature.

Let me know your thoughts on pageant introduction videos and if you have any questions, let me know!