Recording your own videos - Part I PLanning & Preparing

July 15, 2020

Duane Woods

What do I need to have before recording?

• script: bullet points or outline
• adequate lighting
• clear sound
• good recording

Outlines and scripts

Full Script

Bulleted Outline

• Adequate light on yourself
• Front-lit or side-lit, not backlit
• For Virtual Background, have high contrast between you and your background
• try to avoid overexposure & underexposure: use curtains/blinds or move yourself or the light further/closer 

Lighting

• Front-lit ("flat", even lighting with no contours or shadows - news/talk show style)

• Side-lit (light from side adds shadows and texture, often dramatic look)

Lighting

Good Lighting

Lighting

Bad Lighting

• Backlit (lit from behind only, creates a dark silhouette  - secret informant look)

• 2 or 3-point lighting with back lighting + front or side lighting

Exception

• external mic/headset when possible (i.e Yeti)
• avoid echoey spaces
• carpets, blankets, pillows, curtains, beds act as sound dampeners
• be aware of external noise (i.e. construction, pets, kids, busses)

Sound

*without an external mic, these other factors are more important

Recording gear

• External Microphone (eg. Yeti) or Headset Mic

• Headphones

• Quiet Space

Audio gear

Mics (*requires headphones)

• Yeti Mic
• Yeti Nano

Audio gear options

Headsets with Mics

• Cyber Acoustics AC-204 Headset - AC-204 (thanks Barb!)
• Mpow 3.5mm/USB Headsets
• Razor Kraken (Gamer-style)

Headphones

• Over-the-ear is preferable to avoid fatigue 

• System Preferences > Sound
• Input and Output set to your mic

microphone setup

What makes a good video?

• Interesting and engaging topic
• Excited or interesting speaker
• Appropriate length (usually shorter)
• Speak conversationally
• Visuals that support the voice

VIdeo tips

• No extraneous information visually (lower cognitive load)
• Efficient script (*talking speed is 150 words/minute)
• Utilize other visuals or sounds only when it adds to learning (photos, music, other video, different shots)
• Match modality with voice/visuals (one supports the other)
• Add cues or signals, such as arrows, boxes and highlights

• Smartphone

• Mac OS Catalina/Mojave (SHIFT + COMMAND + 5)

• Windows Gamebar

• Zoom

• MDR/Mosaic/My Mediasite (next week's workshop)

recording software

workflows

Questions?