Down & Dirty Video: Producing engaging elearning video on a budget Twin Cities Chapter ASTD Annual Conference 1:15 4:45 Greg Owen-Boger, VP 2008 2013 As We Know We live in a world of elearning, social media, & video is everywhere Budgets keep shrinking Producing video can be rough, and being on camera is rougher Coaching an SMEis However It doesn t have to be scary, difficult or time-consuming 1
We Also Know A lot of video that s being produced is Unusable Embarrassing Getting thrown out 2
About You Who s currently producing video? Who s getting ready to start? What successes and/or challenges are you facing? About Me Actor, Director, Producer Presentation & Facilitation Skills Trainer Led Turpin s elearning & blended learning initiative Led our latest endeavor 3
Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo Just for Fun Agenda Video Production Basics Camera Lighting Audio Setting Up Your Studio Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion Editing Engaging Learners on Camera 4
Video Production Principles for elearning 1. Start with a well-planned instructional design with clear learning objectives 2. Consider your brand Identify video opportunities to support #1 Shoot video consistent with #2 Eliminate distractions from both Agenda Video Production Basics Camera Lighting Audio Setting Up Your Studio Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion Editing Engaging Learners on Camera 5
Camera Principles You may not need expensive professional equipment Fancy features do not necessarily help you meet your goals Professional cameras are complicated Camera Type Considerations Standard vs. high definition Media storage & communication with editing software SD card, Tape, DVD, Hard drive, USB, Other type of Cable Audio quality & capture method 6
Camera Position Placement Angle Framing Headroom Looking room http://youtu.be/2zr3m6zwdcq Agenda Video Production Basics Camera Lighting Audio Setting Up Your Studio Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion Editing Engaging Learners on Camera 7
Lighting Principles Try to flatter Accentuate the positive Reduce the negative Avoid Overhead light Natural light Controlling the Light 3-point lighting http://youtu.be/enrqn9qvfia 3 8
Lighting Options Professional grade Consumer grade Light Intensity: Recommendation: Adjust distance of light source Use diffusion material Be aware of: Harsh shadows Color of the light 9
Upgrades then now New backlight placement Thanks Seth! 10
Beware Adjustments may have adverse effect somewhere else Choose your battles Agenda Video Production Basics Camera Lighting Audio Setting Up Your Studio Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion Editing Engaging Learners on Camera 11
Audio Capture Principles Clear audio is often more critical than quality of video Many cameras lack good audio capabilities External microphone may be necessary Using External Microphones USB vs. analog Options Plug into camera Capture 2 nd audio track through computer & synch with master track when editing 12
External Microphone Placement Not in the shot Distance from subject to capture natural volume level No shadows MIC Beware: Before You Shoot Identify room noise Hum of HVAC, printers, computer fans Phones & other electronics White noise & sound bounce 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 13
Room Tone Record a few seconds of room tone 1. Lay it in over silence to even the sound 2. Use to remove noise Reshoot if Distractions Exist Internal noise People Phones Footsteps External noise Trains & traffic Car horns Sirens 14
Agenda Video Production Basics Camera Lighting Audio Setting Up Your Studio Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion Editing Engaging Learners on Camera Principles for Setting Up Your Studio Where in the building? Quiet, low traffic Controllable light Large enough to accommodate equipment 15
Setting Up Your Studio Location Considerations Natural habitat Office, Out in the field Studio Branded, Green screen Set Decoration Try for balance & harmony Eliminate distractions Honor your brand 16
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Green Screen Studio Set-up 4:29 http://youtu.be/m_wdlkaouic 19
Green Screen Studio Set-up #2 http://youtu.be/xh9nvdch1li Green Screen Considerations Screen should be wrinkle free(ish) Light subject and screen separately Less light on screen, more on subject Strong back light Increase distance between subject and screen Beware of light bounce 20
Lighting Challenges Lighting Challenges 21
Green Screen Example Agenda Video Production Basics Camera Lighting Audio Setting Up Your Studio Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion Editing Engaging Learners on Camera 22
Principles of Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion Be appropriate for your brand Flatter your body & face Eliminate distractions Wardrobe Do Choose solids Contrast with other clothing & surroundings Don't Wear patterns or narrow stripes Wear too much white Choose fabrics that shine Wear green if using green screen 23
Hair No fly-aways Keep it off the face Complexion 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. 24
Agenda Video Production Basics Camera Lighting Audio Setting Up Your Studio Wardrobe, Hair & Complexion Editing Engaging Learners on Camera Principles of Editing Just because you candoesn t mean you should Keep things simple Keep things moving at a good pace 25
Features to Look For Exports/works with coursebuilding software, SCORM, LMS Import variety of formats Run multiple video & audio tracks Edit sound including noise reduction Add text & titles The Anatomy of Editing Software Clip Bin Preview Timeline 26
Editing Suites Video Camtasia Windows Live Movie Maker Corel Video Studio imovie Sony Vegas Pro Final Cut Pro Audio Audacity Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Guiding Principles Engaging the Camera Scripting & Prompters Coaching Others Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo 27
Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Guiding Principles Engaging the Camera Scripting & Prompters Coaching Others Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo Types of SMEs 28
Video Production Roles Pre-production Instructional designer Technical SME Script writer Video Production Roles Production On-camera talent Lights, Camera, Sound operator(s) Content monitor Coach Often Overlooked Everyone s an SME 29
Guiding Principles of our Work Comfort Writing organized data accurate structure Orderly Conversations Conversation spontaneous interactive non-linear engagement Presentations & training sessions are conversations Video should feel conversational Speakers must be self-aware & engaged Self-aware & Engaged Find your focus. Be yourself. Only better. Take control of your thoughts. Allow your personality to shine through. Adapt to the environment you re in. 30
Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Guiding Principles Engaging the Camera Scripting & Prompters Coaching Others Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo An Effective Presenter, Trainer, Facilitator Focused outward & connected Self-aware In control Comfortable Sees faces & responds Talks with, not at Speaks spontaneously Engaged in the Conversation 31
Engagement Skills X Connect with listeners Control thoughts An Effective Video Presenter Focused outward & connected Self-aware In control Comfortable Sees faces & responds Talks with, not at Speaks spontaneously Engaged in the Conversation 32
Be Specific & Get Personal Speak to one person Friendly relationship Solid eye contact to camera http://youtu.be/zduk5uczy0a Thanks Terry! Terry Gsell, Actor/Director 33
Additional Thoughts (1 of 2) Sounding spontaneous is necessary for learner engagement Perfection is not desired Keep your enthusiasm up Additional Thoughts (2 of 2) Well-thought-out & detailed instructional design are critical for context & connecting dots On-camera talent must know & understand the content and context 34
Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Guiding Principles Engaging the Camera Scripting & Prompters Coaching Others Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo So How Do You Follow the instructional design? Deliver the learning objectives? Be clear & concise? Engage your friend through the camera? And sound conversational? 35
Two Choices Memorizing Two Choices Memorizing Improvise from Notes Pros: Spontaneous sounding Personality can shine Cons: Time consuming Read a Prompter Pros: Tightly controlled content Cons: Difficult to do well Appearance of reading 36
Create Notes & Improvise Around Them http://youtu.be/dvel7ebzs24 Anatomy of a Prompter 1. Video camera 2. Shroud 3. Script/monitor 4.Clear glass or beam splitter 5.Image from subject 6.Image from video monitor 37
Hardware ipad Tripod Prompter Tips: The SCRIPT WRITER Prepares Write the script to be spoken (not read) Use contractions Shorter sentences / run-on sentences Use the talent s speech pattern and word choice 38
Prompter Tips: The TALENT Prepares Highlight words to be emphasized Indicate pauses in script Practice out loud Record yourself Edit script until it s comfortable Prompter Tips: During the Shoot Relax Speak to one person, keep it friendly Speak at a natural-sounding tempo & cadence Gesture freely Pause to think Make sure the words have meaning (comprehend) 39
Ultimately? The goal is to appear natural, not perfect. Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Guiding Principles Engaging the Camera Scripting & Prompters Coaching Others Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo 40
Create and maintain a pleasant working environment. Before the Shoot Build trust & respect Set expectations No one enjoys seeing themselves on video It s more challenging than they probably think Time (x2)(at least) Let them know you have their back 41
During the Shoot Be set up and ready to go when talent arrives Make sure everyone knows their role Coaching should come from only one person Be patient & ask it of others Playful banter is good, incessant chit-chat is not Help Talent Understand Don t have to be memorized or be perfect Should sound conversational Pause, think, breathe Engage the camera (one person, friendly relationship) Let their personalities shine & keep their enthusiasm up 42
Reviewing & Approving Takes Make them watch and listen Point out and encourage what s good, make suggestions Review with content monitor Give the talent veto power Use Goals as Main Coaching Tool Ask them early: How do you want to be perceived? Use their goals as the lens for reviewing takes What do you think: Does she appear credible? Knowledgeable? Engaging? 43
Other Coaching Tips Ask questions How d that feel? Are the dots connecting? What s the most important word? Shall we do that again? Model the tone, mood, energy of the script for them Do NOT provide line readings Finally Understand what can& can t be edited Do as many takes as it takes Do not settle for just OK, but do not strive for perfection either 44
Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Hands-on Video Shoot Shoot Some Video! Editing Demo Just for Fun Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo Just for Fun 45
Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo Camtasia Just for Fun Agenda Video Production Basics Engaging Learners on Camera Hands-on Video Shoot Editing Demo Just for Fun 46
elearning Video Forum For Fun 47
Visit Us at Booth 42 Enter to Win! Down & Dirty Video: Producing engaging elearning video on a budget TurpinCommunication.com FindYourFocusVideo.com greg@turpincommunication.com Greg Owen-Boger, VP 2008 2013 48
Greg Owen-Boger A former actor and director, Greg Owen-Boger is now the Vice President of Turpin Communication, a presentation and facilitation skills training company based in Chicago. Schooled in management and the performing arts along with his entrepreneurial spirit, Greg brings a diverse set of skills and experiences to the organization. He joined Turpin in 1995 as a camera man and quickly worked his way up. He now serves as a communication trainer and coach for Turpin s largest clients. Since 2006, he has overseen all aspects of their elearning and blended learning platforms including instructional design, script development, video production, oncamera coaching and LMS deployment. He also appears on camera as a subject matter expert. In 2012 Greg led an initiative to launch Find Your Focus Video, a production wing of Turpin Communication, which helps elearning professionals and small businesses create effective web-based videos on a budget. Greg is the Director of Technology for the Chicagoland Chapter of ASTD (President-Elect for 2014) and the coauthor of the soon-to-be-released book The Orderly Conversation: Business Presentations Redefined. He is also one of many contributors to the 2013 book Master Presenter: Lessons from the World s Top Experts on Becoming a More influential Speaker. 49