Making your own instructional videos for YouTube is relatively simple. Here are five easy steps that will send you on your way to becoming an expert on any subject via YouTube.
Montana State assistant sports information director Chris Syme ais the new chair of the CoSIDA New Media/Technology Committee. She has an well-read blog entitled
New Adventures of an Old SID where she thoughtfully focuses on social media and new media trends for collegiate athletic communicators.
1. Get some equipment
-At the most basic, a Flip-style video cam with edit ability to put clips together (preferably HD). This will run you about $175. Still missing with the Flip--an external mike jack-- so the camera has to be pretty close to the subject. Kodak makes a version (Zi8) that does have an external mike jack and image stabilizer. But--the editing software does not work with a Mac.
Here is a great comparison video of the two from CNET. You can make instructional videos with just a Flip, but the end product will be better with a higher end HD camera with an external mike, especially if there is action involved.
I recommend using a
higher quality camera like the Canon XH or Panasonic AG-HVX. Both of these can do all your action field work and web streaming video as well. Both run around $4000. Something in between will work also--just make sure you have external mike capabilities.
-Video editing software.
If you haven't bought any yet and you have a Windows machine,
Sony's Vegas Platinum HD for @$45 is definitely the best bargain. Sony has been a leader in Windows-based video editing software for years but just this last year came out with the consumer version. For the occasional user, there isn't much difference between the two. I bought the Platinum Production Suite for $125 because of some of the add-ons. If you have a Mac, IMovie should be all you need unless you want a more sophisticated piece of software like Final Cut. If you are going to do field work or shoot action videos, I recommend Vegas or Final Cut depending on your computer. Vegas offers a free demo download good for 30 days and there are quite a few online tutorials.
Optional: Screen capturing software like
Windows Media Recorder. If you want to get fancy, this will capture the applications you do on screen (talk about that later) and allow you to add graphics, dialogue boxes, pause and the like. You can also demo this before you buy.
2. Plan a storyboard
I use a simple table or narrative for this step with four columns and I put the shots I want to do in chronological order from each camera position. Some people recommend drawing scene thumbnails, but I can't draw. This is the beginning of the story board we used to shoot a piece on how to set up a Twitter account to follow our spring football game.
This process requires you to think through all the individual shots you are going to edit together including all the different camera angles. In this piece, we had some "B" roll shots when the coach was showing on-screen instructions where we stopped and moved the camera behind the subject to focus on the computer screen. We did not use screen capture software for this piece, but it would have enhanced the computer screen shots. You can see the end product here.
3. Set up your cameras and props in a well lit quiet room and Lights, camera, action!
For this piece we moved the "instructor" into a different office with good lighting and shut the door. I set up the camera, tested the audio and did a dress rehearsal of the piece first and tweaked the script a little. Make sure you have fresh batteries and that all your audio and video connections are working before you start. Be sure to have a minimum of two seconds of "ready" on the front and back of each scene (no audio-- but subject is camera-ready) so you can edit smoothly. Also, don't underestimate the value of smiling--make it look like the instructor is enjoying the process.
4. Edit your video
You probably won't shoot your scenes in complete chronological order. I shot all my front shots first, then my "B" roll stuff (computer from behind) second. Drop your clips (audio and video) into your timeline and edit. Make sure the transition between scenes is smooth. That's why you have that two seconds minimum of camera-ready on each side of each shot. I prefer fade but you can use whatever transition between scenes that fits the mood of the video.
If you use a camera and not screen capture to record applications on a computer screen, make sure the camera shot is tight right on the action.
Make sure the audio is all one level throughout the video. In Vegas and other film editors, you have the ability to edit each clip's audio level (and even within the clip) so that the levels match throughout the piece. You'll get good at this after a while. You can also add titles to identify URL's, names, and whatever important information you need the viewer to remember. Make sure these are synced at the appropriate times and that you don't carry titles over into scenes where they don't apply.
Render and save the final product. I always use .avi but .wmv or quick time works just as well. .AVI files are larger, but I think they are better quality in the long run.
5. Upload your video to YouTube
Make sure you check the size and length of the file first. YouTube has restrictions. If your file is too big, try rendering in .wmv. But, I recommend that instructional videos be no longer than two minutes. If you have something that needs to go longer, split it up into sections.
How have you used instructional video? Do you have any recommendations for equipment and software? Please leave in the comments.