Use the appointment system (go/dlcappointment) to learn about the booths before you start your project. Even if you don’t plan on recording the same day that we review how to use the booth, we can go through the recording process with you.
Reserve a recording booth
Use the DLC reservation system (go/recordingboothreserve) to make sure a booth is available when you need it. If you happen to be in the DLC when you want to reserve a time, there is an iPad on the wall by the Blue Booth that can help you with that. Just ask someone to help you!
Choose the program
Garageband or Audacity can record audio, and Camtasia is great for recording both your face and your voice. You can also use Skype (and record your calls) in the recording booths. Learn more about each program with your MIIS student account at Lynda.com.
Set yourself up for success
Make sure you are prepared with the material you want to record. Scripting your podcast or video can make the whole process smoother than just speaking-off-the-cuff. Try practicing your script out loud before you record. It will flow more smoothly when you do the real thing, and you’ll have a sense of the length.
Record!
Once you hit the record button, just go for it! Say everything you have to say. If you think you messed up, just pause for moment and start again from a few lines back. Editing after you’ve recorded the bulk of your project is always easier than trying to edit as you go.
Edit later
Editing creates meaning. You decide what remains in the final product, and it’s easy to delete sections that don’t belong, or rearrange clips to make yourself sound better. DLC staff members can help you learn the functions of the audio editing software, or do a tutorial at Lynda.com.
Export and save
When your project is complete, export (save) your work. Find Share amidst the drop-down menus above and click on export (or Export Song to Disk in Garageband) to save it, with your name, in an easily located place like the desktop. Be sure to transfer it to your own media, such as an external flash drive or to the cloud when you’re done. Don’t lose your project. if it’s not saved in at least 2 places, it’s probably not saved at all.
The following video production advice is geared towards simple productions like interviews, lectures or panels. This information will be very beneficial in helping you during the pre-production, production andpost-production of your project. Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Media Services or the Digital Learning Commons to discuss your project in greater detail.
Pre-Production Planning:
Even when just taping an interview or lecture, there should be some pre-production planning. Here are the key elements that you should think about and discuss during the pre-production process.
Objective:
What is the objective of the video? Is it to document an event, do you want to use it as a tutorial or is it something you want to turn into a marketing tool. All of the above examples require different levels of production. Knowing the objective will help produce a product that accomplishes what you want.
Goals:
Make sure you have a clear, defined list of goals for the video and that you have made your goals clear to all of those involved in the production.
Video Usage:
Is this something you plan on using only internally or do you plan on putting it on the internet for the world to see? This is very important point, because it effects what should be done production wise when it comes to cameras, audio, lighting, etc.
Production:
Below are some of the resources involved in a video production and the important things you need to know about them (especially if you are producing something by yourself).
Cameras:
In most cases, one camera should be sufficient. If you think you need more, please contact Media Services or the Digital Learning Commons. Here are some other tips to keep in mind:
Cameras today are “dummy-proof.” In other words, they are made so all you have to do is turn them on and hit record. So, when using a camera, try to avoid pressing a lot of buttons, especially if you don’t know what they mean.
The only thing you should use a Flip-Cam for is interviews and the interview should be conducted with you only a few feet away from the person you are interviewing.
If possible, have the camera plugged into a power supply. If no power supply is available, monitor the battery level to make sure the camera does not shut off in the middle of your production.
Camera People:
While we do have a relatively good supply of cameras on campus, Media Services does not always have people to run cameras. For most projects, you will have to find people to operate the cameras. If that is the case, please have them refer to these video production guidelines:
If you want the video to be useful, then this job needs to be taken seriously. The person needs to pay attention to the camera and to what is being recorded.
This person should know what the goals and objective of this project are.
Whenever possible, use a tripod. If you don’t have a tripod, see if there is a flat, steady surface that you can rest the camera on.
Use a pair of headphones to monitor the audio.
If there is an AudioVideo (AV) presentation accompanying the presenter, film the presenter…not the AV. You should only film the presenter and the presentation should be added in post-production.
Interviews:
If you are interviewing someone, here are some easy to follow tips to make sure you get a good product:
Use the “Rule of Thirds” to frame your subject (Google “rule of thirds” and you will get an easy to understand explanation of this).
Ideally, you should use a microphone for this (not the built-in mic on the camera).
The microphone should be around chest level and aimed towards the person’s mouth.
If you don’t have a microphone, make sure you interview the person in a place that is quiet and that you are only a few feet away from the person you are interviewing.
Wear headphones to monitor the audio.
Be aware of background noise (airplanes, fans).
Also be aware of your background.
Make sure that the tone of the interview fits with your project. So, if it is a serious subject and you are interviewing a friend or someone you know quite well, make sure they are serious for the interview.
Interview the person in a well-lit area.
Audio:
This is often the biggest issue with video production. If the audio is bad, it won’t matter how good the video is. Any video that is heavy on talking, needs to have crisp, clear, easy to understand audio. Media Services has microphones available that can give you good audio quality. Here are some other thoughts:
Make sure you are using microphones (not the built-in ones on the camera).
Make sure you test the microphones before the presentation/event begins to make sure the audio is working.
If your microphone has batteries, make sure they are fully charged or that they are new batteries.
Wear headphones to monitor the audio.
Lighting:
Make sure that whenever you do anything with video, the lighting is good.
Post-Production:
Once the production is finished, the raw video and other materials need to be turned into a finished product. The Digital Learning Commons has a very knowledgeable staff that can help you with this. Here are some other key points to remember in this process:
If you are using graphics, logos, or text that depict the Institute, please refer to the MIIS Communications Style Guide for further details and guidelines.
If someone used AV tools during their presentation, add them in during post-production. For example, if they had a PowerPoint, get those slides and add them in while the person is talking about them.
Use music to add to your video. If used correctly, it can turn a good video into a great one.
This semester, the DLC has tried to understand what we can help YOU with. By conducting both software- and task-based needs assessments, we got a glimpse of how we can help the MIIS community better. One of the questions we were asked most repeatedly is “how can I record a Skype call?” To answer your question, here are a few tools that you can use for just that purpose.
***Note, once you use one of these resources to expertly record a Skype call, make sure you let the person you’re Skyping with know you’re recording it.***
Call Recorder for Skype
NEW @ the DLC! Call Recorder integrates with your Skype app, and lets you choose whether you want to record as you see it, with your faces side-by-side, or just one person. You can start off with a free trial; the software costs $30. Just book one of the recording booths in the DLC, and BOOM, you’ll be recording Skype calls in no time. You can also simultaneously schedule an appointment with a DLC graduate assistant if you want some help getting started.
Camtasia
Another easy way to record a Skype call is to come to the DLC and use Camtasia. Camtasia is an easy-to-use enhanced screen capture software that allows you to record your voice, your screen, part of the screen, etc. You can use it to record Skype calls, narrate a PowerPoint or Prezi, or to create an instructional video. You can download Camtasia as a free trial, or come and use it in the DLC. Simply book one of the recording booths in the DLC, and KAZAM, you’ll be recording Skype calls in no time. You can also simultaneously schedule an appointment with a DLC graduate assistant if you want some help getting started.
Quicktime
An easy and free (if you have a Mac) way to record a Skype call is using Quicktime. On your computer, launch QuickTime Player and choose File→New Screen Recording (the keyboard shortcut is Control, Command, N). The program will instruct you from there. Make sure you have your speakers on in order to record the voice of the other person. OR, book one of the recording booths in the DLC, and SNAP, you’ll be recording Skype calls in no time. You can also simultaneously schedule an appointment with a DLC graduate assistant if you want some help getting started.
If you have never used YouTube before, you will have to provide a few pieces of basic information to create your YouTube Channel.
In the upper right hand corner, choose “Upload.”
Select the file you want to upload.
Give the Video a name.
Choose if you want the video to be public, unlisted, or private.
Public: Anyone can find and view it
Unlisted: Someone must have the direct URL to view the video
Private: You must give permission for specific people to view, using their gmail address
Write a short one sentence description about the video.
Click Done.
The video can be viewed at the link provided by YouTube. Also, YouTube will send an email to your gmail account once the video has been successfully uploaded.
Finally, to share the video with others, copy and paste the url.
File-> New Movie-> No Theme/Same Name as Event/Tie it to the Event
or
How to import the recorded audio into iMovie
Plug in Flash Drive or transfer MP3 to desktop
Top ToolBar -> Import
Click on the file you need -> Import Selected
Highlight entire audio file and drag into project
Same rules apply for adding Music.
If you click on audio/voice track in timeline and put cursor over audio waves you get arrows pointing up or down which allow you to adjust the sound louder or softer
How to import photos and video into iMovie
Same as Audio
Top ToolBar -> Import
Click on the file you need -> Import Selected
How to edit photos into iMovie
Click on photo in project
Click on + symbol…automatically inserts photo into timeline
Default length is 4 seconds.
If you want to change length go to either end of the photo in the timeline…will get Icon with arrows in both directions…drag in the desired direction for shorter or longer length of photo.
Ken Burns zoom effect is automatic with iMovie…recommend leaving this on.
Click on next photo and repeat. iMovie will automatically insert that photo after the first photo and so on. However, if you want to move the photo in the timeline to a new location, just click and move it. So you can reorder photos.
Gaps in photos in timeline do not mean anything. Just exist as a placeholder for transitions (if you use them)
Which leads to Transitions…lower left hand corner….Content Library…Transtions…use cross dissolves.
Default is 1.0 second…fine for this project.
Fade to black at end.
How to edit video into IMovie
Click on and highlight portion of video clip that you need.
Drag into timeline.
Just like photo…can tweak the length at the ends
Also, if you click on the video clip, and go over the wave forms, can adjust it louder or softer.
If you need to fix voice track to fit in video with sound…just adjust the end of the audio track.
How to add Credits/Titles at the end
Lower Left Hand Corner…Content Library…Titles
Scrolling Credits
Drag into timeline at end
Double click in timeline and that will give you the ability to edit
Click on words to change
Click on T to change font or size
Click on i to change length of scroll…default is 10 seconds.
Same rules apply for other Title features…can add at the beginning or at different spots in the video for transitions or to break up sections.
How to export video
Top ToolBar->Share
Choose File
Next
Video will be saved to Desktop
Transferring iMovie Project and Files (“Library”) to an External Drive or Another Computer
(The “Library” has all your relevant files, as well as your movie project and all the edits you have made thus far.)
Get your project and files saved to a flash drive or external hard drive
1. Click on the iMovie Library that you are using, and select the movie you want to transfer.
2. Go to File > Copy Project to Library > New Library.
3. Select the flash drive you want to save the library to, and give your library a name you’ll remember. Click Save. (You can also save it to the desktop or documents folder, and copy it to an external drive later on.)
Your library will have the following icon:
Open Your Library in iMovie on Another Computer
1. Insert flash drive/external hard drive.
2. Open iMovie.
3. Go to File > Open Library > Other.
4. Choose Locate…
5. Find your library that you saved. Click Open.
Your library should open and you should be able to edit your movie and view all video clips, photos, music, etc. that are associated with it.
If editing seems to be slow, you should first copy the library file onto your computer, then open the library. You can copy the library file to the desktop or documents folder, or put it where your iMovie library is automatically created, which is normally here: Macintosh HD > Users > Username > Movies. Then in step #5, navigate to where you saved your library in order to open it.
Lynda is an incredible online resource for learning all manner of digital tools, available to the MIIS community. Through guided video tutorials and step by step instructions, Lynda can teach you how to use any number of programs. Get to know Lynda!
