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?

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