Documentation:Screencasting/DIYMedia/Record

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CHECKLIST:
Obtain signed consent forms from anyone you record.
Gather your equipment.
Set up lighting and test your recording environment for sound.
If you're going to interview, consider a pre-interview.
Record your video.
Source additional content to edit in (B-roll footage).
Familiarize yourself with copyright resources and guidelines.
Refer to UBC Studios Production Basics: UBC Media Makers

Obtain consent forms. Have a look at the copyright section of the toolkit for a consent form you can use. If anyone other than you is featured in your screencast, they need to sign a form!

Set up and test your recording environment. Managing a microphone, script, and computer at the same time is harder than it sounds. Talking, using the mouse, and reading from a script at the same time requires that you split your attention. You'll get the best presentation if you set everything up so it's easy to use.

  • [Prepare your computer and environment]: make sure your computer desktop is clear, and that you've closed any unrelated programs. Disable notifications: you don't want a popup letting you know you have a new email appearing in the middle of your screencast. If you record a lot of screencasts, think about keeping an alternate account on your computer which has notifications completely disabled.
  • Put your script somewhere you can easily read from it.
    • Don't worry about making noise when you're turning pages, if you have more than one: stop speaking when you turn the page, and keep going once you're settled again. You can remove the noise the paper makes when you're editing.
  • Position your microphone so it picks your voice up well. If you don't have a stand, make one or consider investing: a moving microphone doesn't capture audio as well as a stationary one. Record some test clips, and make sure your pop filter is close to your microphone.
  • Make sure you can use your mouse, pen, or keyboard easily: sit within reach of everything you need.
  • Make sure you won't be interrupted. Put a sign on your door, or move somewhere you won't be disturbed.
  • Try to eliminate background noises. Record somewhere quiet, turn off other electronics, and close your door. To improve audio quality, try to record in a room which has soft furniture: bare, hard walls can give your voice a tinny quality.

The quality of your audio factors greatly into the perception of your video: a small increase in audio quality is equivalent to a much larger increase in the video quality.

  • Speak slowly and clearly. Record a trial run, and play it back to yourself: you might be surprised by how quickly you're talking.
  • Reduce echoes by recording in a room with soft surfaces, such as your living room. Reduce or eliminate electrical sounds such as computer fans and other appliances.
    • It might look a bit silly, but making a fort out of couch cushions and recording your audio inside of it will mimic the effect of the padding used in recording studios, and improve the quality of your audio.
  • Avoid rooms with echoes or fans: even imperceptible fan sounds may be picked up by an external mic.
  • Use a noise-reducing microphone, buy or build a pop filter, and keep the mic close to your mouth.

Start recording your screencast.

  • Test your software and equipment. The first time you record a screencast, record a five-second clip and make sure everything works. This includes checking audio and video quality, making sure you can edit the files, and exporting the files to a video. This will help you catch any problems with your computer, recording environment, or software before you've invested hours of work.
  • Record in small chunks so that you can edit them more easily later. There's nothing wrong with recording a few minutes at a time.
  • Try to record all your audio in one sitting: if you have to take down your equipment and set it up again, the audio will sound different, and an unexplained shift in how you sound will be distracting for anyone watching your screencast.
  • If you feel like you're going too quickly, or something else is going wrong, just stop talking. Take a moment or two to collect your thoughts, and start again. You can easily remove sections you don't want when editing.
  • If you have to turn the page on your script, stop talking, and then change the page. That way, you can edit out the noise of flipping paper without removing anything you're saying
  • Stick to your script. If you have a great idea that you want to include, stop the recording, and update your script. This will let you be more consistent, prevent you from stumbling over your words, keep you from forgetting anything, and help you stay on track and on time.
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TIPS:
  • Add media to enhance interest. Additional media in a video production is referred to a B-roll content, and encompasses still images, video clips, and diagrams. Content licensed for re-use or in the public domain is excellent for this purpose.
  • Focus on audio quality. High-quality audio is the most effective way to make your production seem professional.
  • When recording, start with the end in mind. Try not to lose sight of your goal or stray too far from your original intention.
  • Rehearse your script and try to record in small parts. It'll be easier to edit together later.
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