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Why use this guide?
Follow this guide if the content you are creating You may want to create content that requires more complex editing (e.g. comprises multiple video clips from different sources about which you would like to have flexibility as to how / where they appear in your finished clip) and/or, these videos are likely to have a slightly longer useful life and may only require revising/refreshing every 2-3 years (e.g. where content is foundational or historical to the discipline and so unlikely to change greatly).
Examples of content types where it would be appropriate to follow this intermediate guide and the approach it outlines, would might include:
Pre-recorded lecture content that brings together multiple sources (so, bespoke recordings combined with personal historical recordings or previous public events);
Including guest speakers alongside main course lecturer;
Producing content that requires switching between different recording set-ups or modes of speech (e.g. between addressing the viewer directly and narrating a demonstration or annotated example)
More narrative film, that combines desk/office based recordings with external/location recordings.
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Should I use a script?
GenerallyThis depends on how you will use it. Writing a script will help you focus the content to essential points, avoiding rambling and making videos shorter. A script can also help with editing captions or be used as a transcript (some students prefer reading to watching). However, it is better not to use read off a script as it turns the recording into a performance. People will tend to either read verbatim from the script, diverting diverts eye contact away from the viewer and viewe, producing a flat and lifeless delivery. Else, people will try to memorise large chunks of the script and this thenPrompt
Having written a script will allow you to create prompt notes that you can dot around your screen that will help you remember the essential points you need to make.
Using prompt notes rather than a detailed script will produce a more natural and engaging delivery.
If you stumble or make a mistake, it is better to carry on and correct yourself as you would in person. If, at the end, you feel unhappy with the delivery, you can always do another take (link to doing a number of takes)
For convenient editing, when you stumble and want to continue on the same take but do it again, you can put an audio/visual marker in, like clapping your hands, so you can quickly jump to where you need to make cuts.
Where should I look?
To avoid talking down or up to your audience, you should position the camera so that it is at eye-level.
Many webcams (including those built-in to laptops and all-in-one PCs) will include a tally light to indicate when the webcam is active. This is usually located next to the camera itself and so is a good place to look when recording; it will appear to your audience that you are making eye contact and addressing them directly.
If using a mobile phone to record, use the front-facing, or ‘selfie’, camera to check your position in the frame while recording.
If you are using notes, instead of looking at your notes while speaking, try pausing, consulting your notes, bring your head back to the speaking position and then continuing. You can easily edit out the sections where you pause to consult your notes.
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Record each section of your video in sequence. While Shotcut allows you to quickly order and re-order your clips, it is advisable to keep your footage well organised. Recording in sequence gives a logical structure to your clips, irrespective of how many takes you might do of each section (e.g. Intro files 1-6, Ch.1 files 7-10, Ch.2 files 11-15 etc.).
Each time you stop-start recording, try to add some kind of visual to indicate which ‘take’ you are recording. This will allow you to find the beginning and end of each take much more quickly when you come to edit. Similar to the clapperboards traditionally used on film sets, this could be as simple as holding up a finger/fingers in front of the camera to indicate the number of the take. As you go, make a note of any takes that you feel are particularly good and then when you are editing, you can simply delete those that you do not wish to use.
Once you hit the ‘record’ button, leave a few seconds before you start to speak. Similarly, after you finish speaking, allow a few seconds to pass before you stop recording. These ‘handles’ at either end of your recording will make it easier for you to trim you video without clipping any of your actual speech.
Editing Content
Introduction to Shotcut (youTube video)
Multitrack Timeline Basics (youTube video)
Crossfades and Transitions (youTube video)
Using Track Filters (youTube video)
Sharing Content
When you are happy with your content you can share it with students through your Moodle course.
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