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Video Recording Guide

Video Recording

Technical Tips & Recommendations

Tips for All Videos

  • Device: Record on a smartphone (e.g., iPhone, Galaxy, etc.) or tablet (e.g., iPad), as the cameras are usually better than most computer cameras. For hosting events, a computer works best due to the software needed.
  • Horizontal Orientation: record in horizontal aspect ratio, the orientation of most movies. This means turning the device sideways for most phones/tablets.
  • Position: secure your device somewhere stable (instead of holding “selfie” style) and record. When possible, try to have the camera at eye level as opposed to below eye level and pointing up.
  • Content: practice makes perfect. Try not to read a script; it will be noticeable. If you must read, place the script either on the computer you’re using or just below the phone/tablet you’re using.
  • Tone: remember to smile before, during, and after the video. Authenticity is the goal so act as natural and friendly as you can, as if you’re speaking directly to a person. Speak to the camera, not yourself.
  • Timing: Allow a 3-second countdown at the beginning of the video before you start speaking, and the end after you’re done speaking before stopping the recording. Those parts can easily be edited out.
  • Audio: record in a space that’s quiet, don’t stand/sit too far away from the device, and project your voice (speak loudly/lively). If you have earbuds or headphones with a microphone, that can help reduce background noise.
  • Captions: It’s important to remain accessible, so all videos should have captioning enabled. There are a plethora of resources online to show how to do that based on what platform or tools you’re using.
  • Lighting: you want light in front of you as opposed to behind you. Be cognizant of backlighting that’s created by recording in front of a window or bright screen. It usually works best to sit facing a window so the natural light is on you. If facing daylight isn’t an option, the next best option would be a lamp stationed behind your recording device slightly off center.
  • Appearance: select a simple option for the background and your attire. When possible, maize and blue attire is best. If you’re concerned about your background, you can upload or use custom backgrounds in Zoom.
  • File Format: most phones/tablets will record in a standard of .mp4 at 1080p, which is preferred.

Awards, Congratulatory, and Thank You Videos

  • Time: limit your recording to 60 seconds or less.
  • Intro: Introduce yourself with your name and other personable information about what you do or who you are at the university.
  • Content: You may choose to comment on why this work is meaningful, the difference the person and/or their work has made, etc. Practice your speech so you don’t have to read it.
  • Photos: photos of you/your group in action can also be added to the video. Upload those to the same location you uploaded the video file.
  • Delivery: upload your file to Google Drive and share it with the person or department who needs the file.

Webinars & Other Live Virtual Events

  • Time: Limit events to under an hour.
  • Format: Zoom and Google Meet are good options for hosting a live event on behalf of the university.
  • Plan: have a clear timeline and agenda planned out, as well as any visuals you’ll need. Be sure all your presenters have the same agenda so everyone is on the same page and prepared to present together.
  • Prepare: do a dry run of the event with the presenters so everyone is fully prepared. Once you go live, you can’t take anything back.
  • Sound: put your event in presentation mode so that you can automatically mute everyone except the presenter.
  • Intro: Introduce yourself, who you are and what you do, along with any other presenters for the event.
  • Content: Pick one overarching topic per event. Don’t try to cram too much into one event. Be sure the topic is something your audience wants to know, not what you want your audience to know.
  • Engage: allow people to ask questions using the chat feature. Zoom also offers a polling feature.
  • Record: record your event using Zoom or Google Meet, or LiveStream directly to YouTube using Zoom so that viewers can watch it if they weren’t able to attend the event.
  • Promotion: Promote your event via email, on your website, on social media, and on events.umflint.edu at least one week in advance. Be clear in any promotion what content people should expect during the event.

Graphic-Lead Videos

  • Adobe Spark is software that all U-M employees and students have access to that allows anyone
  • to create videos using just graphics or graphics plus video.

Training

For more tips and tutorials on creating and editing videos, check out these helpful links provided free through U-M:

Print-only Video Recording