Knowledge Base

Video Checklist

• State a clear purpose for the video - define your objective!
  
• Prepare a storyboard.
  
• Gather the information to accompany the presentation. (e.g., websites, apps, docs, graphics, slides).
  
• Organize the information in the storyboard. 
  

Time/Chunking your content

• Divide your content into 1 to 6-minute segments.
  

Equipment

• Test the audio. Use an external microphone if available (USB is best). How does it sound? How is the volume level?
  
• Test the video. Is it recording? Is the shot framed appropriately? Is there room at the bottom of your screencast for the captioning - that is, will any of your important content be covered by the captioning?
  
• Evaluate your lighting. Use lamps to improve lighting. 1 to 3 lamps are optimal. Make sure your face is well lit but not washed out.
  
• Eliminate background noise as much as possible. Shut the door, close the window, eliminate other distractions.
  
• Check the background. Is it too busy? A plain or neutral background is best. Your topic should be the focus.
  
• Make a short test recording. Evaluate the audio, video, lighting, background and the talent’s on-camera presence altogether.
  

Practice

• Practice the presentation, voice inflection, enunciation, confidence, pace. (Hint: Speak at a good clip. Faster is better!)
  
• Present your personality; tell a story; add color and perspective. Smile. (Hint: This will hold your audience)