Self-Guided Media Production

There are over one million results when searching the web for storyboard downloads. To narrow it down, we have provided our recommendations for storyboard templates. These sites are free with a registration but have options for upgrading. There are print options within both if you prefer to write out your actions.

• Studio Binder
• Celtx

Keeping videos shorter helps maintain the viewers’ attention and if broken into pre-requisites within Sakai, shorter videos could help a student see progress as they go through the tasks. Short videos also encourage repeat viewing and makes it easier to locate specific soundbites and sections for review. Plus, shorter videos will have smaller file sizes, making upload times quicker.

Content will dictate how long your videos will run but breaking up long recordings will make the content more ingestible and memorable for your students.  

Writing out an outline is a great way to organize your pre-production ideas. Keep thoughts linear, brief, and easy to follow when reviewed.

A script is not always necessary, but it will help when determining how long a video will last. Seeing your lecture written out as dialogue will also aid in visualizing where a transition to a screencast could occur or when to add images over when you are speaking. Using Office 365 to access blank Microsoft Word documents is sufficient but if looking for a more robust option for script writing, the following website is free to sign up and you can start writing scripts instantly.

• Celtx

PowerPoint slides have become more than just a place for bullet-pointed ideas. Utilizing their built-in design ideas will enhance your videos by either being the focus of your video after a transition or you could set the presentation deck to hover over your shoulder like a news broadcast. Further below on this webpage, in the Editing section, are screencasts detailing how these ideas can be implemented. 

Utilizing multiple angles will help with the pacing of your videos and adds a new dimension to your videos. Capturing multiple angles with one camera is possible but adds time to your recording schedule by having to record the same scene twice. In our screencast, we will show you how to record simultaneously with two cameras. This is beneficial if you want to record yourself writing on paper, sheet music you’re reading from while performing, or a lab demonstration. If in need of another camera, visit our Equipment Loan Program page to browse our inventory and check on availability.

Creating a screencast is an effective technique to maintain your students’ interest in your videos. They could be used on their own but are also used as a transition from any recorded video footage of a talking head.

There are many ways to record your screen using Zoom or Panopto but you could also use your web browser for recording. Once you have the recording, there are numerous other types of screencast editing software, each with their own skill level, pricing, and features.

Including images, video clips and audio clips can help maintain student engagement. These types of multimedia can also be used as a transition, similarly to the screencast, where the video can cut from a talking head point-of-view to narration over different forms of multimedia content.

Copyright Resources

When using images, video, and audio that you did not create, consider reviewing the Copyright Resources pages here: https://www.luc.edu/copyright/

Digitization and Conversion

Digital Media Services does not provide any services related to digitization and conversion. There are a few options to take into consideration. For on campus recommendations, LUC Libraries may be able to assist or obtain the materials for circulation and/or viewing via digital streaming. A purchase request can be made here: http://libraries.luc.edu/avpurchase

For outside sources, a 3rd party service such as Chicago Scanning (www.chicagoscanning.com) would be able to conduct a digital transfer for a fee. However, there might be copyright issues on the DVD's if they are not your own material.

Links to royalty free webpages

Anyone wishing to add images, video, or audio and wants to avoid possible copyright infringement should peruse our TechConnect webpage where we have provided links to royalty-free websites. Some content creators will ask for proper attribution but otherwise allow for their creations to be copied and distributed for academic purposes.

If you’re able to, incorporating one of these three into your video recording will keep someone’s attention and continue in keeping the video stimulating and engaging.

We do offer portable green screens from our Equipment Loan Program if you'd like to record your video with a green screen.

If you would like to utilize a second camera to show a prop or artifact during your discussion or presentation, these instructions will assist in using Panopto as your recording source: Add and Edit Video Streams

An effective framing technique for recording at home is following the rule of thirds. While setting up, try and imagine tic-tac-toe lines across your screen. For videos featuring only your shoulders and head, you want to stay within the center squares and set your eyes on the top horizontal line. This will allow ample headspace but also keep you centered during the video. Too much to the left or right and you’ll start to include aspects of your background which are unimportant for the video itself. Remember, you are the focus of the video.

For positioning, you may need to adjust the camera itself to get your eyes onto that top line. If you’re using your laptop camera, instead of pushing the screen backward so that the audience is looking up at you or your ceiling, put your laptop onto a box or a pile of books. Get the laptop screen even with you so you can still see what’s happening on the screen while maintaining a good position in the frame. If you have a webcam attached via USB, you will need to adjust where the camera sits or you can move the monitor forward or backward to frame yourself properly. You don’t want to be too close to the screen but you also don’t want to be too far away. We recommend staying at least an arm’s length away from the screen.

Lastly, be sure to check your surroundings and look at everything that is in the background of the frame. Anything distracting like dirty dishes left out, a television turned on, your grocery list written on a board, or anything you don’t want the audience to see must be removed from the frame. Go for as simple as possible. A clean, white wall will do the trick. But with your laptop you can move from room to room until you find that spot. If recording in your office, do your best to make things look less cluttered.

Another culprit of a low-quality video is not enough lighting or the light source coming from the wrong direction. Webcams are wonderful, but they lack the lens power to make a difference in low lighting. The main thing to improve lighting in a video, is making sure you have enough light covering your entire face. This is so students can see each expression. Some offices on campus where you record will have natural light coming in through windows and that is a great source for lighting your face but do everything you can to keep the window in front of you and not behind you while recording. A webcam will adjust to the brightest light source which will leave you in the shadows and your students will not see you well at all. Closing blinds or changing where you are sitting will improve the quality of your videos. If you are in a windowless room and only have lights from the ceiling, those lights can be helpful but there could be shadows across your face or under your eyes which is not flattering. If you can, put on either side of your computer up to two lamps. Each lamp will light your face well enough to get through a recording.

The Digital Media Services loan room also has lighting tools that could be used for your recording.

Another major aspect for recording videos at home or in the office is good audio. You may be framed perfect with Oscar winning lighting but if no one can hear you or understand what you’re saying the video will not be well-received. If you plan on creating multiple videos or teaching synchronous classes, we recommend investing in a nice microphone that can be attached via USB. If recording is rare, a Logitech headset with the microphone close to your mouth will work well in just about every noisy environment. Be sure to limit that excess noise, though, by filming before or after your neighbor starts mowing their lawn. Or by finding as quiet a spot in the building you work within.

The options for recording your videos are plentiful. You could use the built-in camera on your laptop if it has one, or even use a webcam or DSLR by attaching the proper cords to your computer. If you do not own a camera or webcam, visit our Browse Our Equipment page to see what we have available for you.

The audio quality of your recordings should be a top priority. It is an integral component that you should take care ensuring success the first time around, as recovery and improvement in post editing can be difficult. There are many audio equipment options and you may already have a preference, but please refer to the section above for recording at home for best practices and suggestions.

Our Browse Our Equipment page will list the audio equipment available to you through the loan program. The item descriptions also include options for numerous recording situations and making a reservation based on availability

Lighting will have a substantial effect on your video and how well your audience is able to perceive you and the content, coming from a range of sources from natural to artificial light. In the Recording Your Presentation section above, we have listed some best practices and suggestions for understanding the fundamentals of achieving good lighting and using it to focus on specific areas.

If you need lighting equipment, look to our Browse Our Equipment page for many lighting options.

Adobe Premiere Pro is an excellent video editing application, available on all on-campus lab computers and from faculty/staff office workstations on-campus.

Panopto, Loyola's video repository and lecture capture software, also has the ability to edit video after upload. To learn more, visit the Panopto instructions for How to Edit a Video and the Panopto Guide.

While there are many codecs and file formats that videos can be exported to, the instructions below offer settings that will be optimal for streaming video, such as on Panopto or YouTUbe. The screencast will also show you a way to see how large the file size will end up, which is always beneficial for storage and uploading speeds.

Depending on how powerful your computer is and the length of your video, this export process may take some time, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Visit the , for information on how to upload your videos to Panopto and how to link to your videos in Sakai or embed in other webpages, like T4.