Video Best Practices

Video Preparation

---

At-Home Recording Tips

This guide includes details on how to produce clear and concise videos at-home, including scripting, lighting, and camera position.  

Set up your recording environment

Pick a quiet place to record  

• Try to record in a quiet location, with as little background sound as possible (such as music, people talking, traffic noise, fans, heaters, etc.)    
• Plan a time to record when you won’t be interrupted.  

Record with plenty of lighting. Your students want to see you! 

• The best light is daytime light streaming through a window; if the sun is too direct, a shade or curtain can help soften the light.  
• Orient your position so you face a window or sit in profile to it, so the daylight falls on your face.  
• If you’re recording after dark, turn on as many lights as possible. Move a floor lamp or lighting source close to your computer so your face is illuminated. 
• Avoid having a strong light source (such as a bright lamp or window) directly behind you, or you will appear as a dark silhouette. 

Create a clean background for your video 

• Viewers can be distracted by a cluttered background that draws their attention away from the speaker. Be sure to record with a neutral or simple background behind you and the camera. 

Set up your sound

Panopto will ask permission to use your computer’s camera and microphone when you open the program. Choose: “Allow” Panopto to use your camera and microphone. 

Option: Consider using an external microphone plugged into your computer. External microphones typically offer better sound quality than computer microphones. 

Any microphone connects to your computer will work (via stereo jack or USB), including freestanding, wearable, or clip on mics: 

Before recording, click on the “Audio” icon at the top of the screen and select your external microphone.  

Camera and positioning

• Computer cameras tend to be high quality. An external camera that clips onto your laptop or desktop computer can add higher resolution video. 
• Position yourself so your eyes are level with the laptop or desktop camera.  
• Center yourself in the frame of the camera, with some space above your head.  

Write a video script, and practice reading it aloud!

• A good script sounds like a conversation read aloud: Don’t use complex words or phrases. Write short sentences. Use more periods than commas.   
• Plan to keep your script to about 6 or 7 minutes in length (about 120 words per minute).   
• Reading a video script, instead of “winging it,” makes it easier to stay focused on the topic and record a focused video. 
• The more you read the script aloud, the more comfortable you will sound 

• We strongly suggest you take this short Canvas course: Instructional Videos 101 for more ideas and tips about script writing, delivery, and the video production process at Continuum, link to self-enroll if this is your first time accessing.  

Script Position

• Position your script document at the center-top of the screen, so your eyes remain level with the camera 
• Scroll with your mouse as you read the script, so your eyes don’t tilt down and away from the camera.  

Warm up before reading

Warming up your breathing and vocal cords will help you to sustain a strong, clear voice to the end of sentences and paragraphs. 

• Take 10 deep, slow breaths, exhaling fully  
• Walk briskly around the block, or walk up a flight of stairs to get your breathing going 
• Read a tongue twister several times to help you enunciate each word in the script. 
• Stay hydrated: Drink water before and during the recording. Keep a bottle close, and when you need it, pause the recording at an appropriate place and take a drink.  

Let your personality shine!

• Students notice when you show your passion. Let your wisdom and interest shine through—this engages your students and motivates them to learn from you. 
• Talk to someone: Visualize talking with a specific student, and having a conversation with them.
• Use your facial expressions and gestures to convey meaning and non-verbal cues to your audience. Nod or tilt your head, lift your eyebrows, squint, let gestures convey meaning. and let your personality and interest in the topic shine. 
• You don’t have to be perfect: Students appreciate that you’re not an actor, you’re their teacher. Smile and move past minor hiccups.   
• Smile often! Your audience will appreciate that you’re happy to be with them.  

Test record

Make sure the video looks and sounds the way you want it to—before you record the entire video lecture. Start with a short test recording (30 seconds in length). 

• How are you positioned in the frame?  
• Is there enough light on your face?  
• Is there background noise—humming or buzzing—that can be adjusted?  
• Is your voice clear and consistent?  
• Is your background sufficiently simple or will it distract your audience? 

Lights, camera, action!  

You know this! Be yourself!  

Interested in More Support and Live Coaching?

At any time, feel free to Sign Up on the Training Calendar to meet with an Instructor Development specialist for live training on scripting best practices, preparing to deliver on camera, and at-home recording suggestions.

---

Updated 01/10/22