down & dirty video: practical strategies for producing engaging e-learning video on a budget...
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Down & Dirty Video:Practical strategies for producing engaging E-Learning video on a budget
Greg Owen-Boger
Vice President & Trainer
©2008
• E-Learning is here to stay
• Producing video can be challenging
• Being on camera is challenging
However…• Video isn’t as mysterious as we think
• New technologies make it easier
As We Know…
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Camera Type, Placement, Angle & Framing
Lighting that Flatters
Audio Capture
Setting Up Your Studio
Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion
Editing
1. Start with a well-planned instructional design with clear goals & learning objectives
2. Consider your brand
Video Production Principles for E-Learning
• Identify video opportunities to support #1
• Shoot video consistent with #2
• Eliminate distractions from both
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Camera Type, Placement, Angle & Framing
Lighting that Flatters
Audio Capture
Setting Up Your Studio
Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion
Editing
• You may not need expensive professional equipment
• Fancy features do not necessarily help you meet your goals
• Professional cameras are complicated
Camera Principles
• Standard vs. high definition• Media storage & communication with
editing software• SD card
• Tape
• Hard drive
• DVD
• USB
• Cable
• Audio quality & capture method
Camera Type Considerations
• Placement
• Angle
• Framing
• Headroom
• Looking room
• Tilt
Camera Basics
http://youtu.be/Im-d5sFe2GQ
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Camera Type, Placement, Angle & Framing
Lighting that Flatters
Audio Capture
Setting Up Your Studio
Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion
Editing
• Try to flatter• Accentuate the positive
• Reduce the negative
• Avoid • Overhead light
• Natural light
Lighting Principles
Recommendation:
•Adjust distance of light source
•Use diffusion material
Be aware of:
•Harsh shadows
•Color of the light
Light Intensity:The strength & brightness of the light
Be Aware Adjust
Bags under eyes & double chins
Add a dim up-light under the chin to reduce shadows
Glare from glasses Move lights up & back
High contrast on darker skin tones
Add more diffusion
Shine from bald headsMove lights down & out placing less emphasis on top of head
Thinning hairMove lights down & eliminate back light placing less emphasis on top of head
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Camera Type, Placement, Angle & Framing
Lighting that Flatters
Audio Capture
Setting Up Your Studio
Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion
Editing
• Clear audio is often more critical than quality of video
• Many cameras lack good audio capabilities
• External microphone may be necessary
Audio Capture Principles
• Options• Plug into camera if possible
• Capture audio through computer
• USB vs. analog
• Synch with master audio track when editing
Using External Microphones
• Not in the shot
• Distance from subject to capture natural volume level
• No shadows
Microphone Placement
MIC
Identify room noise
•Hum of HVAC, printers, computer fans
•Phones & other electronics
•White noise & sound bounce
Beware: Before You Shoot
Eliminate distractions
•Turn off what you can, muffle what you can’t
•Soften walls and floor with acoustic foam, draperies, carpeting
Place keys in the refrigerator as a reminder
Internal noise• People
• Phones
• Footsteps
Reshoot if Distractions Exist
External noise• Trains & traffic
• Car horns
• Sirens
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Camera Type, Placement, Angle & Framing
Lighting that Flatters
Audio Capture
Setting Up Your Studio
Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion
Editing
Where in the building?• Quiet, low traffic
• Controllable light
• Large enough to accommodate equipment
Principles for Setting Up Your Studio
Location Considerations
Natural habitat
• Office
• Out in the field
Studio
• Branded
• Green screen
Setting Up Your Studio
SetDecoration
•Try for balance & harmony
•Eliminate distractions
•Connect with your brand
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Camera Type, Placement, Angle & Framing
Lighting that Flatters
Audio Capture
Setting Up Your Studio
Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion
Editing
• Be appropriate for your brand
• Flatter your body & face
• Eliminate distractions
Principles of Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion
Do
•Choose solids
•Contrast with other clothing & surroundings
Wardrobe
Don't
•Wear patterns or narrow stripes
•Wear too much white
•Choose fabrics with too much shine
Video & lights create shine, blotches, uneven tone, make pale skin paler & dark skin darker
Recommendation:Use powder often to even out tone & reduce shine, especially on nose & forehead.
Complexion
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Camera Type, Placement, Angle & Framing
Lighting that Flatters
Audio Capture
Setting Up Your Studio
Wardrobe, Hair and Complexion
Editing
• Exports/works with course-building software, SCORM, LMS
• Import variety of video & image formats
• Run multiple video & audio tracks
• Edit sound including noise reduction
• Add text & titles
Features to Look For
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Find Your Focus. Be Yourself. Only Better.
Identify Who You Are Talking To
Be Conversational, Not Scripted
Be Clear & Concise
• Being on video is unnatural & stress inducing
• Racing mind, nervousness, strange speech patterns, facial ticks, dry mouth
• Others are looking at you now & later
• Learners must be (feel) engaged
• You must appear & sound natural while still being
• Knowledgeable, professional, real, credible, honest
Key Principles
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Find Your Focus. Be Yourself. Only Better.
Identify Who You Are Talking To
Be Clear, Concise, Conversational, Not Scripted
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Find Your Focus. Be Yourself. Only Better.
Identify Who You Are Talking To
Be Clear, Concise, Conversational, Not Scripted
Speak to one person
Friendly relationship
Solid eye contact to camera
Be Specific andGet Personal
Terry Gsell, Director
http://youtu.be/P2p2I_MPing
Agenda
Video Production Basics
Engaging Learners on Camera
Find Your Focus. Be Yourself. Only Better.
Identify Who You Are Talking To
Be Clear, Concise, Conversational, Not Scripted
• Well-thought-out & detailed instructional design is critical
• Sounding spontaneous is necessary for learner engagement
• Instructor must know & understand the content 100%, but not recite a script
Principles of Sounding Conversational
• Follow the instructional design
• Deliver the learning objectives
• Be clear & concise
• Engage your friend through the camera
• And sound conversational?
So… How Do You
Create Notes and Improvise Around Them
Refer to sample script, page 7
http://youtu.be/wzsAezUbAvQ
• Do not use a teleprompter
• Learn to sneak a peek
• Be patient & ask it of others
• Take breaks
• Break it down into manageable clips
• Understand what can be edited & what can’t
• Do as many takes as it takes
• Do not settle for just OK, but do not strive for perfection either
Other Recommendations
Greg Owen-BogerVP & Trainer
773-256-9406
http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregowenboger
©2008
www.turpincommunication.com